Beth Hoffman brings you a summer read like no other

With the start of summer and summer vacation, there is no better book to review than “Saving CeeCee Honeycutt” by Beth Hoffman.  Our main character, CeeCee, is forced to go live with her great-aunt Tallulah (aka Tootie) and while CeeCee wants to believe it’s just for summer vacation, her dad corrects her and tells her it’s permanent.

Up until this point, CeeCee has been caring for her mom who is the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of the town.  You see, CeeCee’s mom is trapped with her memories of being the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen, and in 1967 Ohio, that just doesn’t fly. CeeCee’s only friend is an 80 year old woman, Mrs. Odell, across the street, but the idea of leaving her only friend, her books, and the only town she’s ever known, is heartbreaking.

Luckily for CeeCee, Aunt Tootie is no regular aunt.  She’s vivacious and a breath of fresh air for CeeCee who has grown up a little too quickly being her mother’s caretaker.  They leave Willoughby, Ohio for Savannah, GA, and this 12-year-old’s life changes in a way that could only happen when a family member takes an interest, loves deeply, and holds on for the ride.

While the story is a good one with a depth to the characters, twists in the plot, and a searing look at distant relatives, best friends, and eccentric neighbors, it is Hoffman’s writing that is the true breath of fresh air.  She tells this tale in such a descriptive, down-to-earth fashion, it’s as if these characters lived and breathed on their own.  For example, while waiting for some kind of miracle or answer from God, CeeCee’s impatience is palpable when she thinks, “But summer faded into autumn, and nothing in my life changed but the color of the leaves on the trees.”

This is also shown with Mrs. Odell who gives CeeCee hope when she explains that everyone has a Life Book, something that can’t be seen or touched, but is deep within your heart and guarded by your spirit:

“When a chapter of your Life Book is complete, your spirit knows it’s time to turn the page so a new chapter can begin.  Even when you’re scared or think you’re not ready, your spirit knows you are.”

With that blessing, CeeCee goes forth, witnesses extraordinary adventures, captures them with a Polaroid, misses her mom, and makes the friends of a lifetime.

“Saving CeeCee Honeycutt” is a treasure of a read for anyone who has ever loved and lost a family member, been lost and loved by a family member, visited Savannah, Georgia, had eccentric neighbors, recognized the camaraderie of best friends, captured one moment in time with a photograph, or been so loved that it nearly split their heart open.  It is truly a must-read, and ends on a note of hope.

“As the sunlight raced across the brilliant Savannah sky, the day unfolded like a beautiful yet painfully wrapped gift.  Momma had left this world and set herself free, and in doing so, she had set me free too.  As much as I missed her and wished I could hear her laughter one more time, I believed she was out there in the big bright somewhere, watching me, cheering for me.  Loving me.”

If you’d like to pick up a copy of this fabulous summer read, find it at one of these Bay Area bookstores:

Books Inc in San Francisco
The Reading Bug in San Carlos
Hicklebee’s in San Jose