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Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time
A heartrending, transformative true story following Brad Ryan and his grandmother Joy Ryan as they embark on a seven-year journey to visit every US National Park.
Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while Brad grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunderstandings. Over seven years, they sought to visit all sixty-three US National Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades, each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other.
Grandma Joy and Me follows a seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing, wherein a grandmother and grandson find themselves released from the injustices—real and imagined—that had long held them hostage. An emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience, this unique bond between a young man and his ninety-three-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park—is more than just any travel tale; it is a testament to what makes us deeply human.
Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while Brad grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunderstandings. Over seven years, they sought to visit all sixty-three US National Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades, each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other.
Grandma Joy and Me follows a seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing, wherein a grandmother and grandson find themselves released from the injustices—real and imagined—that had long held them hostage. An emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience, this unique bond between a young man and his ninety-three-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park—is more than just any travel tale; it is a testament to what makes us deeply human.
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Published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 17, 2026
This book is on par with some of the greatest soul quest travelogues in recent memory. I haven’t felt this way about a book since I read Wild and Eat, Pray, Love. And yet this book holds its own. I’ve never rooted for a duo as much as I was rooting for Brad and Grandma Joy. I can’t imagine this book won’t be turned into a movie in the near future. It’s really that good!
From the very first pages, I felt like I was right there alongside Brad and Grandma Joy on every mile of their extraordinary journey. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it felt like one of the most personal and relatable adventures I've ever read.
What makes this book so special is that it's about much more than visiting U.S. National Parks. It's about second chances, healing, forgiveness, and the realization that you're never too old to begin a new chapter of adventure in your life.
Perhaps most importantly, it plants a seed. It challenges readers to rethink their relationships across generations and consider what might happen if they invited an older loved one along for the ride of a lifetime.
This book changed me. It inspired me to travel to places I never would have considered before, but even more importantly, it inspired me to make different choices with the people I love. It reminded me that our greatest adventures are often found in the connections we build with one another. This book will never leave me. A must-read!
From the very first pages, I felt like I was right there alongside Brad and Grandma Joy on every mile of their extraordinary journey. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it felt like one of the most personal and relatable adventures I've ever read.
What makes this book so special is that it's about much more than visiting U.S. National Parks. It's about second chances, healing, forgiveness, and the realization that you're never too old to begin a new chapter of adventure in your life.
Perhaps most importantly, it plants a seed. It challenges readers to rethink their relationships across generations and consider what might happen if they invited an older loved one along for the ride of a lifetime.
This book changed me. It inspired me to travel to places I never would have considered before, but even more importantly, it inspired me to make different choices with the people I love. It reminded me that our greatest adventures are often found in the connections we build with one another. This book will never leave me. A must-read!
August 6, 2026
Brad Ryan is an American veterinarian and writer. His 2026 travelogue/memoir Grandma Joy and Me recounts the multi-year, discontinuous set of trips he made with his octagenarian/nonagenarian paternal grandmother Joy to visit all the US National Parks (which include locations outside of the 50 US states, including a park in American Samoa). At 93 upon visit to their final park in 2023, Grandma Joy was determined to be the oldest person thus far to complete this trek.
This isn't the first book I've read about folks with US National Parks completionist streaks (I previously read Dear Bob and Sue about a retired couple's similar journey); despite this being a very expensive undertaking, it appears a lot of the funding for the trips came from commercial sponsors as listed in the extensive acknowledgement section at the end of the book. However, instead of a pure travelogue like the aforementioned book, Ryan's book strikes me a lot more of a parallel travelogue/highly introspective personal growth hybrid, along the lines of Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Jedidiah Jenkins' To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret, and E.A. Hanks' The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, with an odd-bedfellows/intergenerational traveling companion thrown in along the lines of Andrew McCarthy's Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain. Ryan, painfully estranged from his father, invited his paternal Grandma Joy along on their first National Park trip to try to repair their strained relationship after Ryan's father's cheating scandal divided the family, hoping that Grandma Joy would have answers, contrition, validation, or family wisdom to give him, but their early trips were marked by frustrating episodes where Ryan seldom got the reactions or answers he was seeking from his grandmother. While Grandma Joy stonewalled, Ryan grew increasingly frustrated and emotional, until several breakthroughs mid-trip helped him understand and accept his grandmother better and recognize the similar pain and trauma both had faced. It's definitely a powerful life lesson to learn to accept your loved ones the way they are, instead of the way you wish they could be, and building the best possible relationship accordingly.
My statistics:
Book 146 for 2026
Book 2452 cumulatively
This isn't the first book I've read about folks with US National Parks completionist streaks (I previously read Dear Bob and Sue about a retired couple's similar journey); despite this being a very expensive undertaking, it appears a lot of the funding for the trips came from commercial sponsors as listed in the extensive acknowledgement section at the end of the book. However, instead of a pure travelogue like the aforementioned book, Ryan's book strikes me a lot more of a parallel travelogue/highly introspective personal growth hybrid, along the lines of Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Jedidiah Jenkins' To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret, and E.A. Hanks' The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, with an odd-bedfellows/intergenerational traveling companion thrown in along the lines of Andrew McCarthy's Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain. Ryan, painfully estranged from his father, invited his paternal Grandma Joy along on their first National Park trip to try to repair their strained relationship after Ryan's father's cheating scandal divided the family, hoping that Grandma Joy would have answers, contrition, validation, or family wisdom to give him, but their early trips were marked by frustrating episodes where Ryan seldom got the reactions or answers he was seeking from his grandmother. While Grandma Joy stonewalled, Ryan grew increasingly frustrated and emotional, until several breakthroughs mid-trip helped him understand and accept his grandmother better and recognize the similar pain and trauma both had faced. It's definitely a powerful life lesson to learn to accept your loved ones the way they are, instead of the way you wish they could be, and building the best possible relationship accordingly.
My statistics:
Book 146 for 2026
Book 2452 cumulatively
July 11, 2026
A few slow parts, but such a sweet story. I love the comparison of human relationships with those of redwoods. Redwoods are majestic, huge trees with shallow roots. However, they grow in clusters, and they interlock their roots.
“Many forces trigger us into the primitive brain that feels separate, threatened, and reactive, and if we want to keep evolving consciousness, we need togetherness. We need to interlock our roots and our hearts and our caring to create the world we believe in. We need to do it together.”
“Many forces trigger us into the primitive brain that feels separate, threatened, and reactive, and if we want to keep evolving consciousness, we need togetherness. We need to interlock our roots and our hearts and our caring to create the world we believe in. We need to do it together.”
August 15, 2026
In 2023, Grandma Joy became the oldest person at 93 to visit all 63 of the U.S. National Parks. Her story, a memoir written by grandson Brad details how their journey together began. I was interested in this book as I was aware of Brad and Joy's travels through social media and news posts. Their story is so unique and inspiring, I looked forward to learning more about their adventures. When the National Parks adventure began, Grandma Joy was in her late 80's, had led a quiet life in Ohio with little traveling and had been estranged from her grandson for many years.
Pros: It was enjoyable reading about how Brad decided to take a chance and invite his grandmother on a camping trip to Great Smoky Mountains NP. She had never seen a mountain and Brad was suffering from mental health issues while completing veterinary school and needed time in nature. This activity prompted Brad to suggest a longer trip to visit other national parks. Brad and Joy present as likeable people and their excitement of new places and experiences was fun to read about. They enjoyed each other's company. For her age, Joy was a marvel of energy and enthusiasm; willing to sleep in a tent, brave hiking trails and even roll down a large sand dune. It seemed almost surreal she could cope with their first cross country driving trip of seeing 21 parks in 28 days.
The book inspires readers to not let age stand in the way of living life fully and taking chances. It also emphasizes that improving health and fitness can occur at any age, including advanced years. In addition, the book encourages us to spend time with those closest to us; to not let time go by until it is too late.
Cons: When I started this book I knew about Brad and Joy's estrangement and what caused the family rift. What I wasn't expecting was how much this book would be about Brad wanting to take the national parks trips to bring understanding and find closure with his grandmother about the cause of the family dysfunction. Brad quickly learns his grandmother is not willing to talk or reveal her feelings about the history of family problems, but Brad perseveres. I can understand since this is a memoir, that Brad would want to address his suffering and how the family dysfunction affected their relationship. But the "Tell All" aspect tended to drag down my enthusiasm for the book. I assume Grandma Joy (who was not a co-author) was aware of what Brad was writing about in the book. But I couldn't help wonder throughout if she would be okay with sharing so much personal information, given her reticence and advanced age.
I listened to this on Audible narrated by the author. He did a good job including a voice for his grandmother. I am rating this three stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ as I really liked hearing about their travel experiences and reminiscing about the same places I had seen. But the often inserted family relationship issues and the author's angst became a bit much for me given what I expected from this book.
Pros: It was enjoyable reading about how Brad decided to take a chance and invite his grandmother on a camping trip to Great Smoky Mountains NP. She had never seen a mountain and Brad was suffering from mental health issues while completing veterinary school and needed time in nature. This activity prompted Brad to suggest a longer trip to visit other national parks. Brad and Joy present as likeable people and their excitement of new places and experiences was fun to read about. They enjoyed each other's company. For her age, Joy was a marvel of energy and enthusiasm; willing to sleep in a tent, brave hiking trails and even roll down a large sand dune. It seemed almost surreal she could cope with their first cross country driving trip of seeing 21 parks in 28 days.
The book inspires readers to not let age stand in the way of living life fully and taking chances. It also emphasizes that improving health and fitness can occur at any age, including advanced years. In addition, the book encourages us to spend time with those closest to us; to not let time go by until it is too late.
Cons: When I started this book I knew about Brad and Joy's estrangement and what caused the family rift. What I wasn't expecting was how much this book would be about Brad wanting to take the national parks trips to bring understanding and find closure with his grandmother about the cause of the family dysfunction. Brad quickly learns his grandmother is not willing to talk or reveal her feelings about the history of family problems, but Brad perseveres. I can understand since this is a memoir, that Brad would want to address his suffering and how the family dysfunction affected their relationship. But the "Tell All" aspect tended to drag down my enthusiasm for the book. I assume Grandma Joy (who was not a co-author) was aware of what Brad was writing about in the book. But I couldn't help wonder throughout if she would be okay with sharing so much personal information, given her reticence and advanced age.
I listened to this on Audible narrated by the author. He did a good job including a voice for his grandmother. I am rating this three stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ as I really liked hearing about their travel experiences and reminiscing about the same places I had seen. But the often inserted family relationship issues and the author's angst became a bit much for me given what I expected from this book.
August 11, 2026
Grandma Joy had never seen a mountain, so her grandson Brad took her on a camping trip to the Smokies to climb one. At 85 years old, she visited her first National Park, and over the next nearly eight years, they visited the other 62 together, making Joy the oldest person to visit every US National Park.
This is not just an inspiring feel-good-travelogue that celebrates America’s sacred public lands though—at the time of their first weekend trip, Brad and Grandma Joy had been estranged for about a decade following a family rift that occurred after Brad’s parents got divorced. This roadtrip is a remarkable journey of redemption, with every mile traveled and every National Park visited taking them one step closer towards healing.
I knew what to expect, but I still wasn’t quite prepared for all the feelings that this vulnerable account of unresolved family trauma would force me to feel. It hit very close to home; I know my fair share about the “silence that calcified into regret”.
There are a lot of buried secrets and deep emotional wounds in the Ryan family, and Brad’s motivation for this adventure was the hope of unearthing and working through some of them. A doctor of veterinary medicine, his prose shines brightest when he describes the flora and fauna they encounter, but set against that backdrop, there are also some really honest and introspective moments as he tries to excavate his family’s messy past. Brad doesn’t shy away from laying his soul bare, from hard conversations, or from relaying moments that perhaps don’t paint him in the best light. His writing is always thoughtful and emotionally intelligent, and his willingness to navigate intergenerational trauma so candidly is fully matched by Grandma Joy’s willingness to say yes to any adventure offered—might as well give ‘er a whirl, as she would say. What a joy to have someone in your life who is game for anything as long as you’re right there with them, whether that’s rolling down a sand dune, riding rollercoasters, or whitewater rafting.
Grandma Joy and Me is a poignant, hopeful story of forgiveness—of others and of ourselves—and a lesson in learning to accept your loved ones the way they are rather than the way you wish they could be, and building the best possible relationship accordingly; the journey to understanding through shared experiences. Naturally, it also celebrates the magical, healing power of nature, and is an important reminder of why we must fight to protect and preserve these extraordinary places for generations to come. I’ve visited about a dozen National Parks on my travels to the United States, and this book gave me the itch to cross some more off the list.
And yet, it’s so much more than a journey of reconciliation across the National Park system: It’s about embracing life with curiosity, seeking new experiences, and refusing to let age define what's possible. A heartwarming, uplifting reminder that it’s never too late to let go of grudges, create memories, and find connection—and joy. In nature, in family, in life. There is so much joy in saying yes to adventure.
—————
August 2026 selection for ...Like a Good Book Club
This is not just an inspiring feel-good-travelogue that celebrates America’s sacred public lands though—at the time of their first weekend trip, Brad and Grandma Joy had been estranged for about a decade following a family rift that occurred after Brad’s parents got divorced. This roadtrip is a remarkable journey of redemption, with every mile traveled and every National Park visited taking them one step closer towards healing.
I knew what to expect, but I still wasn’t quite prepared for all the feelings that this vulnerable account of unresolved family trauma would force me to feel. It hit very close to home; I know my fair share about the “silence that calcified into regret”.
There are a lot of buried secrets and deep emotional wounds in the Ryan family, and Brad’s motivation for this adventure was the hope of unearthing and working through some of them. A doctor of veterinary medicine, his prose shines brightest when he describes the flora and fauna they encounter, but set against that backdrop, there are also some really honest and introspective moments as he tries to excavate his family’s messy past. Brad doesn’t shy away from laying his soul bare, from hard conversations, or from relaying moments that perhaps don’t paint him in the best light. His writing is always thoughtful and emotionally intelligent, and his willingness to navigate intergenerational trauma so candidly is fully matched by Grandma Joy’s willingness to say yes to any adventure offered—might as well give ‘er a whirl, as she would say. What a joy to have someone in your life who is game for anything as long as you’re right there with them, whether that’s rolling down a sand dune, riding rollercoasters, or whitewater rafting.
Grandma Joy and Me is a poignant, hopeful story of forgiveness—of others and of ourselves—and a lesson in learning to accept your loved ones the way they are rather than the way you wish they could be, and building the best possible relationship accordingly; the journey to understanding through shared experiences. Naturally, it also celebrates the magical, healing power of nature, and is an important reminder of why we must fight to protect and preserve these extraordinary places for generations to come. I’ve visited about a dozen National Parks on my travels to the United States, and this book gave me the itch to cross some more off the list.
And yet, it’s so much more than a journey of reconciliation across the National Park system: It’s about embracing life with curiosity, seeking new experiences, and refusing to let age define what's possible. A heartwarming, uplifting reminder that it’s never too late to let go of grudges, create memories, and find connection—and joy. In nature, in family, in life. There is so much joy in saying yes to adventure.
—————
August 2026 selection for ...Like a Good Book Club
October 19, 2026
It is utterly impossible for me to review this book objectively. Grandma Joy is from my hometown (well, one town over from my hometown). She went to high school with my mother, although she was three years ahead. She went to church with my mother. Brad's other grandmother worked with my mother for several years. Brad thanks my aunt (his third grade teacher--and mine) in the afterword. When Grandma Joy speaks of her childhood, she uses expressions ("beer joint" was a big one) that I heard my entire life.
My mother died just over a year ago, and she followed the media coverage of Brad and Grandma Joy with a mixture of hometown pride and seething envy and bitterness. My mother, who rarely drove the fifty miles to visit me, and only once visited my sister after she moved to Maryland 30 years ago, was disgusted by Grandma Joy's travels ("Look at her, going along with her cane, when I hate to even walk a mile around town!"), but she was still thrilled whenever a major tv show or magazine featured their story. There was something I wanted to talk to her about in every chapter of this book.
Brad Ryan isn't the best writer; his descriptions of the places they visit are overly full of adjectives describing colors and textures in a stilted, awkward way. You can feel the thesaurus sitting beside his laptop on every page. And I don’t know how it can be said that Grandma Joy had never seen a mountain before when she and her husband spent decades driving from Ohio to Florida and back every winter, a trip that takes you straight through the mountains! But the journey Brad and Grandma Joy take is beautiful, and healing for them both. Silent Generation Grandma Joy accesses her feelings about as much as anyone her age knows how to, and I found it frustrating and agonizing to watch Brad attempt to pry out anything more than she's able to give, in an attempt to heal the wounds of his childhood. I found myself wanting to yell "You need a therapist, not your grandma! Leave this poor old woman alone!" because I certainly know from experience that a leopard (old lady) can't change its spots (recognize their culpability in your trauma).
I am glad to see they are both still out there, traveling the world together, and like my mother, I'm envious of all the places they've been, because I've inherited my own generational fuck-up-ed-ness. But unlike my mother, I have the insight and ability to correct it.
My mother died just over a year ago, and she followed the media coverage of Brad and Grandma Joy with a mixture of hometown pride and seething envy and bitterness. My mother, who rarely drove the fifty miles to visit me, and only once visited my sister after she moved to Maryland 30 years ago, was disgusted by Grandma Joy's travels ("Look at her, going along with her cane, when I hate to even walk a mile around town!"), but she was still thrilled whenever a major tv show or magazine featured their story. There was something I wanted to talk to her about in every chapter of this book.
Brad Ryan isn't the best writer; his descriptions of the places they visit are overly full of adjectives describing colors and textures in a stilted, awkward way. You can feel the thesaurus sitting beside his laptop on every page. And I don’t know how it can be said that Grandma Joy had never seen a mountain before when she and her husband spent decades driving from Ohio to Florida and back every winter, a trip that takes you straight through the mountains! But the journey Brad and Grandma Joy take is beautiful, and healing for them both. Silent Generation Grandma Joy accesses her feelings about as much as anyone her age knows how to, and I found it frustrating and agonizing to watch Brad attempt to pry out anything more than she's able to give, in an attempt to heal the wounds of his childhood. I found myself wanting to yell "You need a therapist, not your grandma! Leave this poor old woman alone!" because I certainly know from experience that a leopard (old lady) can't change its spots (recognize their culpability in your trauma).
I am glad to see they are both still out there, traveling the world together, and like my mother, I'm envious of all the places they've been, because I've inherited my own generational fuck-up-ed-ness. But unlike my mother, I have the insight and ability to correct it.
July 11, 2026
I didn't know who Brad and Grandma Joy were before reading this, but they had a great story to tell as they set out on a journey/quest. I loved the life lessons in this. It sounded like it was the balm of Gilead when it came to healing old wounds they both carried in life.
Grandma Joy was the real highlight for me. She grabbed life and held on tight with each new opportunity. I loved the way she embraced all that was before her when most elderly give their lives over to their inner hermit.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. So 4 stars.
Grandma Joy was the real highlight for me. She grabbed life and held on tight with each new opportunity. I loved the way she embraced all that was before her when most elderly give their lives over to their inner hermit.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. So 4 stars.
September 7, 2026
10/5. I love this book so much. It had me reflect on my family’s journey to see all the national parks (which we finished 2 months before Grandma Joy and Ryan) while also giving a glimpse behind the curtain into these two incredible people. This is my favorite kind of book.
August 17, 2026
Beautiful, heart-felt story of adventure, personal growth, and human connection. Inspiring for people of all ages!
Read
August 30, 2026I really loved how Joy became open minded and flexible as each trip unfolded. Brad is wise and emotionally intelligent. I hope someday I get an experience like this with someone I love.
July 5, 2026
A beautiful story of forgiveness, love, and new beginnings. If you love travel memoirs, this book encompasses beautiful descriptions of our national parks while also highlighting the challenges that come from overcoming generational trauma, toxic relationships, and estrangement. You’ll laugh out loud, shed tears of sadness and anger, while also feel joy and inspiration. This book encompasses ALL THE FEELS and was an incredibly fast read. A beautiful debut novel. I think everyone can benefit from this book. Don’t hesitate to, in the words of Grandma Joy, “give it a whirl!” You won’t regret it.
July 12, 2026
Brad reminds us that healing is part of love and like love it is a lifelong process that takes work not only on our relationships with others but with ourselves. This journey of love and discovery grabs the heart and captures the soul of what it means to be family, the good, the bad, the beautiful and the broken. It explores how nature can calm our senses giving us space to fill in the cracks of hurt with bonds of love and forgiveness making the mended all the more fragile and precious. This is a must share book! I highly recommend for book groups.
November 5, 2026
I began this book thinking I was in for a “feel good” story about grandson & grandmother. And it was that. But in addition to being about visiting every national park, it’s also a roadtrip about forgiveness & acceptance & what’s really important in life. It has it’s profound moments as well.
After reading this book, be sure to find their Instagram account. What an adventure!
After reading this book, be sure to find their Instagram account. What an adventure!
August 3, 2026
This is the sweetest book about a grandson taking his grandma all over to visit national parks. I saw them in my local news and she was such a spitfire at 95 it had me sold. Just the best view of the world and how you’re never too old to just go do it.
June 15, 2026
I'm a big fan of US National Parks, park rangers, and family road trips. I've just returned from a road trip, spending 9 amazing days at National Park sites. So, I'm the perfect audience for this book. And I thought it was great. I love on-the-road stories, but I loved the reconciliation and redemption story that was born from the travel even more. 4.5 stars rounded up
July 13, 2026
Truly inspiring, loved this roadtrip, everyone needs a Grandma Joy!
September 19, 2026
Wow, this book was way more than I expected! Definitely worth a read! Not just a fluffy trip with grandma!
July 11, 2026
A work from the heart. A definite must read! A motivator to not underestimate what our older generations are capable of. Brad Ryan takes you on the journey of healing and forgiveness that brought him back to his grandma. The book follows their journey to all 63 US National Parks as well as their journey back from estrangement. Once I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. I was captivated from the first chapter. There were parts of this book that had me laughing out loud and other parts that brought tears. There was so much in this book that I could relate to from the childhood trauma, incident in young adulthood to family estrangement. Seeing the pair in person also added an extra spark to reading the book. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend picking up this book, trying to catch them at an event and best of all follow their continued journey on instagram @grandmajoysroadtrip!
August 8, 2026
I had vaguely heard of this journey (but didn't follow it in any way) and loved the idea. Several years ago there was a similar story of Norma, who found out she had cancer after the death of her husband. Instead of undergoing treatment, she chose to take a road trip with her son and daughter-in-law around the country. This is somewhat similar as an idea, except author Brad Ryan is trying to mend the intergenerational rift between himself, his family, especially with Grandma Joy. They decide to see every National Park in the United States.
Interwoven between Ryan's personal memoir, Joy's past, the sites they see (the people they meet, etc.), this is a story of exploration, trauma, family issues, etc. Between the gorgeous sites and hilarious anecdotes there's also family drama and the rift between Ryan, Joy, the rest of his family, etc. Sometimes you get hilarious bits of Joy discovering/rediscovering the outdoors and the highs and lows that come with it (from scenic wildlife to, uh, other people also doing the same, sometimes in the nude).
It was okay. I understand the why, but I honestly didn't care about Ryan and his family. It's not that I wanted a fully upbeat and chipper story but I also wanted way more about the national parks. As an idea it seems like a fun "bucket list" concept and while interesting I also thought the family stuff generally got in the way. Is this a memoir? A story of reconciliation? A story about the parks?
I will say that this would probably make for a spectacular miniseries. It would require a lot of money but it would be totally amazing to adapt something like this for maybe like a 10 episode (or longer) limited/miniseries with some of the most gorgeous/best sites, etc. Depending on how it's done it could be more of a showcase of the parks themselves rather than focusing on the family issues (could go either way).
If you enjoy these types of travelogues you might like this. Just be aware that it is less about the national parks themselves and the journey and it's a mix of memoir as well.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
Interwoven between Ryan's personal memoir, Joy's past, the sites they see (the people they meet, etc.), this is a story of exploration, trauma, family issues, etc. Between the gorgeous sites and hilarious anecdotes there's also family drama and the rift between Ryan, Joy, the rest of his family, etc. Sometimes you get hilarious bits of Joy discovering/rediscovering the outdoors and the highs and lows that come with it (from scenic wildlife to, uh, other people also doing the same, sometimes in the nude).
It was okay. I understand the why, but I honestly didn't care about Ryan and his family. It's not that I wanted a fully upbeat and chipper story but I also wanted way more about the national parks. As an idea it seems like a fun "bucket list" concept and while interesting I also thought the family stuff generally got in the way. Is this a memoir? A story of reconciliation? A story about the parks?
I will say that this would probably make for a spectacular miniseries. It would require a lot of money but it would be totally amazing to adapt something like this for maybe like a 10 episode (or longer) limited/miniseries with some of the most gorgeous/best sites, etc. Depending on how it's done it could be more of a showcase of the parks themselves rather than focusing on the family issues (could go either way).
If you enjoy these types of travelogues you might like this. Just be aware that it is less about the national parks themselves and the journey and it's a mix of memoir as well.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
August 1, 2026
I found myself slowing down as I neared the end of Grandma Joy and Me. I simply didn't want my journey with this remarkable duo to come to an end. Brad Ryan has a gift for drawing readers into the story, making you feel as though you're experiencing every mile, every conversation, and every moment right alongside them.
This book has so many layers. On one level, it's a celebration of our National Parks and a reminder of why preserving these extraordinary places matters. Brad's deep love of nature shines through in his vivid, lyrical descriptions, allowing readers to see the landscapes through his eyes.
But this is about so much more than the parks. It's about embracing life with curiosity and courage, saying "yes" to new experiences, and refusing to let age define what's possible. Grandma Joy is an inspiration to anyone who has ever wondered whether life's greatest adventures are behind them. She proves that it's never too late to discover something new.
At its heart, however, this is a story of healing. Brad and Grandma Joy each carry deep emotional wounds, as so many of us do. Their journey together demonstrates the healing power of nature, family, and human connection. It is a story of forgiveness—of others and of ourselves—and of finding understanding through shared experiences.
This book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. Most of all, it will leave you wanting to reach out to the people you love, create new memories, and deepen the connections that truly give life meaning.
This book has so many layers. On one level, it's a celebration of our National Parks and a reminder of why preserving these extraordinary places matters. Brad's deep love of nature shines through in his vivid, lyrical descriptions, allowing readers to see the landscapes through his eyes.
But this is about so much more than the parks. It's about embracing life with curiosity and courage, saying "yes" to new experiences, and refusing to let age define what's possible. Grandma Joy is an inspiration to anyone who has ever wondered whether life's greatest adventures are behind them. She proves that it's never too late to discover something new.
At its heart, however, this is a story of healing. Brad and Grandma Joy each carry deep emotional wounds, as so many of us do. Their journey together demonstrates the healing power of nature, family, and human connection. It is a story of forgiveness—of others and of ourselves—and of finding understanding through shared experiences.
This book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. Most of all, it will leave you wanting to reach out to the people you love, create new memories, and deepen the connections that truly give life meaning.
August 1, 2026
What a book! I knew I would travel through one heck of a journey through all the national parks with Brad and Grandma Joy, however, I was not expecting for all the feelings this book forced me to feel. I was fortunate enough to meet Brad and Grandma Joy and kept reading the book in their voice, which made reading it more enjoyable. Relating to their traumas, made me feel more human and made them feel more relatable and that us humans overall have much more in common with each other than we think we do. I loved how they shared their intergenerational relationship and the hardships that family relationships have. It made me miss those that are no longer here, and made me smile and enjoy every memory I have with them. It especially made me miss my grandma, who took me to my first national park and instilled the love of travel and learning outside the classroom at a young age. I loved being reminded of my time in some of the nations national parks and being able to laugh at some of my own memories. Overall, this was an amazing book. At times hard to read, and I shed a few tears throughout but it was needed and made me even more grateful for the people and experiences I’ve had. Highly recommend reading this beautiful journey. Thank you Brad for sharing this wonderful experience with us and for allowing all of us to have a piece of Grandma Joy! I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!
June 21, 2026
I promise I’m not giving this four stars because Brad has been one of my favorite people since I met him two decades ago. It’s getting four stars because there are a lot of lessons to be learned from his road-trip with Grandma Joy. Above all else, there’s the Joy—not spelled with a capital J just because it’s Grandma Joy’s name—but because there is Joy to be found in nature, family, and in life (yes, even when there is pain, hurt, and grief). I’ve followed their story from the beginning, and have been waiting for this book. What I expected to be a romping travelogue was a memoir of much deeper meaning. Despite being a therapist who specializes in trauma it was rough reading about the pain, trauma, and how low Brad felt at his lowest, especially because he always has such joie de vivre. What this book shares is that you can have this ebullience and also pain. Grandma Joy has both in spades. And while this is Brad’s perspective, it’s clear he got this zest for life and adventure from Joy, even as they share family pain. The prose shines when he talks about nature, and just as the 63 national parks were not the end for their trips, I hope that this book is not the last from Brad.
August 24, 2026
Come for the parks. Stay for the healing.
This is a profoundly personal narrative that will resonate with anyone who reads it. "We all wrong. We've all been wronged," Brad Ryan reflects in a remembrance to his father, from whom he was estranged most of his adult life, and yet, by some miracle, reconciled and found peace while there was still time to do so.
The miracle might well be two-fold: the national parks, the 63 crown jewels of a much larger national park system, each with its own unique features, and extending from Maine to California, to American Samoa; and Brad's grandmother, Joy, who, at 85 visits her first national park, climbs her first mountain, and accompanies her grandson on this incredible journey to reconciliation and peace.
Brad Ryan writes honestly, openly, and straightforwardly. His is an emotional narrative, with Grandma Joy by his side, as he recounts the delights found in each national park, interspersing with the lifelong pains that hit home hard. The final chapter is especially riveting.
If you value the national parks, this is a book you want to read. If you value life and relationships, it's one you won't easily put down.
This is a profoundly personal narrative that will resonate with anyone who reads it. "We all wrong. We've all been wronged," Brad Ryan reflects in a remembrance to his father, from whom he was estranged most of his adult life, and yet, by some miracle, reconciled and found peace while there was still time to do so.
The miracle might well be two-fold: the national parks, the 63 crown jewels of a much larger national park system, each with its own unique features, and extending from Maine to California, to American Samoa; and Brad's grandmother, Joy, who, at 85 visits her first national park, climbs her first mountain, and accompanies her grandson on this incredible journey to reconciliation and peace.
Brad Ryan writes honestly, openly, and straightforwardly. His is an emotional narrative, with Grandma Joy by his side, as he recounts the delights found in each national park, interspersing with the lifelong pains that hit home hard. The final chapter is especially riveting.
If you value the national parks, this is a book you want to read. If you value life and relationships, it's one you won't easily put down.
June 30, 2026
This is an amazing story about how a simple ask can turn into something much greater. Grandma Joy had never seen a mountain, so her grandson took her to Great Smoky Mountains to see one. Simple. Yet, the whole story is much more complicated. By visiting 63 US National Parks, Brad and Grandma Joy learn a lot about nature, each other, and themselves. Each chapter talks about what they see, what they discuss, and what happened in the past that got them to where they are. The book's themes are relatable and resonate on many levels: grief, depression, loneliness, grudges, generational pain, abuse, joy, experiencing life, travel, and love. This would be an excellent book club selection because there are multiple discussion points. I really appreciate that Brad did the narration to this book. It was necessary that his voice taking us through the journey, and he did a fantastic job. The book is fun, sad, joyous, and poignant. If you get the chance to go to a book signing, you'll see and hear how Grandma Joy is exactly as Brad portrays her, God love her!
October 18, 2026
This is such a beautiful, heartwarming, and deeply human read. What makes this book so special is not just the love and connection it captures, but the rawness and realness of the author’s experiences. There is something incredibly powerful about allowing yourself to be vulnerable and sharing the parts of life that aren’t always easy or pretty. It reminds us that everyone carries their own hardships, stories, and struggles, even when we can’t see them on the surface. Through the author’s honesty, you find yourself feeling more connected to others, more compassionate toward their journeys, and more appreciative of the relationships that shape us. This book is a reminder that love, resilience, and human connection can be found even in life’s most difficult moments. It makes you want to hold your loved ones a little closer, listen a little more, and remember that we never truly know what someone else has been through. A genuinely moving read that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I love Brad and Grandma Joy and you will too.
November 10, 2026
Part wanderlust, part therapy, and a little bit of nostalgia, this book has it all. The author’s great details about the parks, down to the colors of the flowers, the calls of the birds, and the species of even the smallest creatures, reminded me of why I love nature so much and made me want to get on the open road and travel, too! But this story is much more than the inspirational journey of a woman in her 80’s/90’s traveling to all 63 National Parks (a feat in and of itself). It’s also the story of the communication barriers that exist between generations and within families, and how we can heal together by learning to meet each other where we are, and still familial love even when it’s not quite how you imagined it to be. The author captures the great struggle of communication, emotional expression, and genuine connection that so many different generations struggle with in their family relationships, and then goes on to show not only that healing is possible, but how nature can play a crucial role in bringing us close: to itself, and to each other.
July 24, 2026
Grandma Joy is truly inspiring. Her sense of adventure, determination, and willingness to embrace new experiences have given me the courage to continue exploring. She is a wonderful reminder that it’s never too late to seek adventure and create unforgettable memories.
Brad’s love and thoughtfulness shine throughout the book. The care he put into making this dream a reality for them is deeply heartwarming, and their journey beautifully shows the power of family, encouragement, and shared experiences. I hope that I can share even a fraction of these kinds of meaningful adventures and memories with my own grandson someday. (He’s only one)
This book is about so much more than visiting the national parks. It’s a celebration of courage, connection, healing, and the Joy of saying yes to adventure. It left me inspired and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors or appreciates a heartfelt story about honesty, healing, and the bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
Brad’s love and thoughtfulness shine throughout the book. The care he put into making this dream a reality for them is deeply heartwarming, and their journey beautifully shows the power of family, encouragement, and shared experiences. I hope that I can share even a fraction of these kinds of meaningful adventures and memories with my own grandson someday. (He’s only one)
This book is about so much more than visiting the national parks. It’s a celebration of courage, connection, healing, and the Joy of saying yes to adventure. It left me inspired and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors or appreciates a heartfelt story about honesty, healing, and the bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
November 10, 2026
What a hoot! But also rather emotional, with a grandson trying to reconcile difficult family memories while pursuing an ambitious travel goals. Loved reading about their growing connection, though there is a significant generation gap. I was worried about Grandma Joy sometimes due to all that climbing and hiking. She had hardly traveled anywhere and is truly gobsmacked by the mountains and oceans and wildlife. Eventually she gets new knees, and that helps. I never heard of their story before, though they were interviewed by various media folks dozens of times. Brad Ryan is a gay author and veterinarian who really puts his pedal to the metal to make their journey to all the National Parks happen. He also reveals secrets from his life and tries, not always successfully, to get Grandma to open up about their difficult family history. Eventually much is reconciled, though not all. And that rang true for me.
August 15, 2026
This is a beautifully written story that took me on an emotional journey. I found myself laughing, crying, and becoming completely invested in the experiences shared throughout the book. It felt less like I was simply reading their story and more like I was right there, sharing in their journey along the way.
I loved the connection to nature and the reminder of how much beauty surrounds us when we take the time to notice it. I also loved the emphasis on connections with the people around us and how meaningful those relationships can be.
This book touched my heart in a way that stayed with me after I finished reading. It reminded me to appreciate the adventures, nature, and people that make life special. I would definitely recommend Grandma Joy and Me to anyone looking for a heartfelt and uplifting read.
I loved the connection to nature and the reminder of how much beauty surrounds us when we take the time to notice it. I also loved the emphasis on connections with the people around us and how meaningful those relationships can be.
This book touched my heart in a way that stayed with me after I finished reading. It reminded me to appreciate the adventures, nature, and people that make life special. I would definitely recommend Grandma Joy and Me to anyone looking for a heartfelt and uplifting read.
Review of advance copy
What a beautiful and inspiring story. This book is very well written and welcomes the reader along on the beautiful adventure. The author creates vivid descriptions of the awe inspiring beauty and landscapes the US National parks provide. I found myself dreaming of visiting certain parks due to the authors magnificent descriptions. I could picture in my mind and found myself looking up the parks to help me follow along the story. More importantly it is an emotional journey full of love,understanding and acceptance. I laughed and also cried as I truly felt I went along with Brad and Grandma Joy on their adventures. The book truly inspired me to try and do better each and every day in my life and treatment of others. This truly is a must read for all.
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