Aging and recent widow Harriet Beamer insists she’s getting along 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. Just wait till her daughter-in-law hears Harriet will travel cross country only by public transportation and alternate means. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, ferry, 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.
Download and start listening now!
"Cute light hearted book. Harriet made me miss my Granny, she had this kind of spunk and I could see her taking this same journey Harriet did. Loved how she impacted those around her and yet she did not know how she touched so many lives. I like how Harriet's character grew on her journey even at her age she learned new things about herself and the world around her. Harriet showed me that no matter how old you think you are you can still achieve goals that you might have thought were just a dream. Can't wait to read the next adventure. :)"
— Trachelle (4 out of 5 stars)
" Delightful! Great quick read that made me want to travel. "
— Mary, 2/14/2014" really wish we could do half stars. This is a 3.5. Cute and fun, but this should have been easier to read than it was, maybe it was me. But it also needed more of something. "
— Ellie, 2/13/2014" Loved loved loved this book. It was such a page turner with all the great adventures that Harriet Beamer experiences as she's traveling. LOVED THIS BOOK! Plus it mentioned areas that I was familiar with as she travels bringing it home for me knowing what he saw and experienced. "
— Kristen, 1/16/2014" I am so jealous of Harriet Beamer! I'm looking forward to the next one. "
— Sharon, 1/16/2014" I'd love to have the characters experiences! "
— Lawrie, 11/29/2013" I loved it!! Made me laugh and cry "
— Marlene, 9/29/2013" It's very uplifting and revolves around a woman with great faith in God. It has such a fun story line and it's a cute book but a little too cutesy for me. "
— Andrea, 8/14/2013" What a sweet, funny book! I can't wait for the next Harriet Beamer book to come out. "
— Sally, 4/26/2013" Love this Author!! Great story..... "
— Janette, 4/22/2013" Loved it! It was entertaining the whole way through! "
— Christa, 3/9/2013" I was skeptical but gave this book a try. I loved it. Read it straight through. Highly recommend it. "
— Christine, 12/5/2012" OK but not that good. At time interresting but mostly just blase. "
— Midge, 8/28/2012" I really enjoyed this book. Harriet loses a bet with her daughter in law and must relocate to California to live with her son and daughter in law. Harriet does it on her terms by taking the trip slowly and visiting sites she has never seen. "
— Annette, 5/9/2012Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright’s Pond Series, Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus, 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 sit on her desk.
Laural Merlington is an audiobook narrator with over two hundred titles to her credit and a winner of multiple Earphones Awards. An Audie Award nominee, she has also directed over one hundred audiobooks. She has performed and directed for thirty years in theaters throughout the country. In addition to her extensive theater and voice-over work, she teaches college in her home state of Michigan.