Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Looking for Me

Title: Looking For Me
Author:  Beth Hoffman
Publication Information:  Viking, Penguin Group. 2013. 354 pages.

Book Source:  I read this book based on how much I enjoyed the author's book Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.

Favorite Quote:  "Sometimes it's not what we hold on to that shapes our lives - it's what we're willing to let go of.”

Looking for Me is a story of a family bound by love but driven apart by a lack of communication and by an unresolved tragedy. At the heart of the story is Teddi, a young woman from a small town in Kentucky whose passion is antiques. She sees beauty in old, forgotten and broken things. This passion leads to a career and full life in Charleston and also leads away from her family.

Teddi's mother tries to have Teddi take the safe route and make compromises that lead to a safe life. She seemingly does not understand Teddi's passion and fights her flight to a new life. Yet, as Teddi discovers, there is a lot she does not know about the woman her mother was - a woman with dreams like hers beyond the family she raised.

Josh is Teddi's younger brother. Since the day he was born, Teddi adored him. Josh always had an other-worldly feel to him and an affinity for nature and its creatures. As a young man, Josh disappears. His family is devastated, and remains so because they are never able to discover what happens to him.

The book starts the story in the middle. Teddi is living in Charleston, running her own antiques shop and surrounded by a host of colorful characters. The book then weaves in the back story that makes Teddi the person she is and moves forward as she tries to deal with changes in her life and her family.

This is story about family, about defining yourself, and about learning what to hang on to and what to let go of.  As Teddi's grandmother teaches her, "Each day was a gift and how we chose to unwrap it would determine our happiness." This book is a beautifully woven tale. I can't wait to see what Beth Hoffman writes next.

3 comments:

  1. What a wonderful surprise to come upon your blog today and see that you had reviewed my new novel! I'm delighted that you enjoyed Teddi's story and grateful for your kind words. Thank you so much.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. I have loved both your books and really look forward to seeing what you write next! Congratulations on your success and thank you for your wonderful books.

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  2. Thanks a million, Nada ... You've made me very happy!

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