Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus by Joyce Magnin

What will you do when you're retired? You can plan and be ready to live your life out. But let's say your husband dies and your only son moves across the country. What is left for you? This is the dilemma that Harriet Beamer faces in Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus by Joyce Magnin.

The product: In Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus, author Joyce Magnin follows aging and widowed Harriet Beamer, as she insists she's getting long fine with her dog Humphrey in Philadelphia... until she falls for the fourth time, injuring her ankle, and causing her son and daughter-in-law to cry foul. Insisting Harriet move in with them in California, they make a bet that her ankle is broken, and she foolishly promises to move if they're right. Four x-rays later, Harriet's ankle -and her heart- are broken. She packs up, ships her huge salt-and-pepper collection to California, and prepares to move away from the only life she knows. The only catch? She's doing it her way. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, taxi and motorcycle. Along the way, Harriet discovers that although her family thinks it's time for her to be put out to pasture -God has a different plan.

About the Author - Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright's Pong Series and the middle grade novel Carrying Mason. She is a frequent conference speaker and writing instructor. Joyce lives in Pennsylvania with her son, Adam, and their crazy cat, Mango, who likes to eat nachos.


What I thought: Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus is such a great life experience story. Harriet Beamer is such a spirited woman. I want to be her when I'm her age. Actually she reminds me a lot of my grandmother. Just as my grandparents were retiring, my grandfather was diagnosed with advanced cancer. He lived about a year after that. Now my grandma has been alone for 9 years. But she makes the most of it. She's joined several senior groups and church women groups, even starting a few herself. She takes bus trips and travel by herself all the time. She wants to enjoy life while she can. I love it. It's just like Harriet Beamer embraces.

Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus reaches all stages of life. Maybe you can relate to the retired, spunky Harriet Beamer. Or perhaps you're on her son's side, worried about an aging parent, and trying to start a family of your own. Everyone can see a little of themselves in this book. It's a fun tale of a woman who needs to exercise a little independence and seek adventure on her own for a while.

Where to buy: Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus is available in bookstores and online.

How to connect: You can learn more about author Joyce Magnin on her website- http://www.joycemagnin.com/Site/Welcome.html.



*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*