Thursday, October 4, 2012

Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus by Joyce Magnin

Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus by Joyce Magnin is just a delightful book.  Harriet has had some difficult times lately.  Her husband, Max, of 28 years has died and her son, Henry and his wife Prudence (of whom she is not close) want her to move to California to life with them.  Harriet and her dog are getting along fine living in the same neighborhood that she has lived for her entire married life with the support of her church and close neighbors.  On this day of Henry and Prudence’s visit, Harriet falls off a chair and hurts her ankle.  Prudence engages her in a bet that if her ankle is broke she will come live with them and if it is not then she will be able to stay in her home.  Harriet’s ankle is broken.  Harriet agrees to come but on her own rules.  She will come on several local buses stopping along the way to see what she wants taking as long as she wants and she will come by herself.  This book is about the cross country trip that Harriet, who has never taken long distance vacations before let alone by herself, takes. 
I liked this book so much better than I expected.  Harriet not only sees the USA on her trip but begins to see herself and understand her son and wife’s opinion also.  She finds that she is blessed in so many ways as she enjoys seeing the sights and buying salt and pepper shakers for her collection.  I found this book well written and entertaining.  Thank you for this book.
This book was provided for this review by Zondervan.

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