Where The Heart Is (unabridged)

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Summary: Irresistibly captivating, warm, inviting ,hard to put down.
Review: Unlike any book you've read, this novel transports you into the lives of these irrisistible people. Believable characters and a roller-coaster ride of emotion made this novel impossible to put down. As it ended, I felt disappointed that I had to leave these people I had grown attatched to. I desperately wanted to stay. I am eager for a sequel. A well-written book, I will read more from this author.

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Summary: It was a beautiful story about humanity and self-worth.
Review: It was an encouraging story of personal achievement and development. I recommend it highly. Oprah was right again!!

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Summary: Unforgettable characters and a wonderful main character!
Review: Novalee Nation is a character who never stops learning and growing: what a grasp she has of what real life is about! The characters are often wonderfully eccentric, yet believable. As the story unfolded, the book became impossible to put down.

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Summary: I began this book at 8:00 and finished it by 12:00.
Review: Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts is a book that I read in four hours because I wanted to know that Novalee, a seventeen-year-old pregnant girl would survive alone. Family and boyfriends could abandon her and steal from her, but complete strangers would give to her and love her. Novalee Nation is a survivor because of the love of people around her as well as her hidden inner strength. She is the type of character that grows and changes through learning, hardships, and love. She is the type of woman that I admire. She has nothing in the beginning, except herself, and she gradually learns that this is all that she needs when she finally learns to love herself. We all love Novalee Nation as she is apart of the lesson that we all need to learn: Loving ourselves is the best part of life. Read this book and fall in love with Novalee Nation and with life itself.

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Summary: A feelgood book, a story of home and truth and giving
Review: Letts begins with a childlike fantasy as premise--could Novalee actually live, undetected, in WalMart? What she spins from there is a story that pulls us through the pages, as Novalee Nation's dreams come true. She discovers the love of friends, devotion to her child, and the joy of a home without wheels. Simplistic? Perhaps, at times. However, this novel was acclaimed as young adult fiction, and is a quick and joyful read for adults.

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Summary: Home is where the heart is
Review: How fortunate for us readers to have Billie Letts' novel, "Where The Heart Is." A novel which shows us that home is not necessarily the place where you were born in. Home is the place where you find people who are caring. People who are loving. people who are nuturing. Home is where you find your heart. The engaging voice of Ms. Lett's main character, Novalee Nation, is left stranded at a Wal-Mart by her down-and-out boyfriend, Willy Jack. Pregnant and broke, Novalee finds herself living in the department store where upon she meets several interesting small-town residents: Sister Husband, the blue-haired alcoholic who welcomes new residents by handing out verses of the Bible and explains to Novalee the novels most important message - "Home gives you something no other place can... your history... home is where your history begins." Moses Whitecotten who explains that when choosing a name for your child make sure it has a strong name - "You're gonna die. But your name's not. No." Forney Hull, the town libraian, who hides his shyness behind books. And Lexie Coop who teaches Novalee about the qualities she has but does not accept. Billie Letts puts human faces on small town individuals and gives us a fresh approach on the goodness and kindness there is that we sometimes lose sight of. This novel shows that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. The addage that you get what you put out is evident in Ms. Letts's novel. This is the perfect holiday novel and so appropriate of Oprah to select this as her Christmas selection. Many may not agree with me; however, I remain firm that Oprah consistantly chooses novels of worth-while quality and exposes us (at least this reader) to novels we may not ordinarily purchase. A wonderful novel of home, healing and love by a writer of enormous talent. Ms. Letts's other novel, "The Honk and Holler Opening Soon" is one which I will look forward to in reading and enjoying.

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Summary: An okay read if you have nothing better to select from.
Review: This poor girl has more bad luck than is believable. The character names were also pretty unbelievable. I did not find this book to be very witty or entertaining. I did find it to be rather a ho-hum read. Definitely not worth the purchase price. Come on Oprah, you can pick better books than this....there are plenty of them out there!!

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Summary: Novalee made me laugh, cry, and sad.
Review: I started this book Dec.23 and read until 3am. the 24th. What book can pick you up on the busiest time of year and finish in one sitting? This book was awesome! It brought me back to the life of a 17 year old,thejoys of being a mother,the dissappointment of boyfriends,the joy of friendship, the innoncence of trust.It brings you to the centre of a small town and the richness found in friendships of all races,ages,backgrounds.The love of nature and the discovery of photography are paralled in the maturity of Novalee. I was so angry when she rejected love! I was really sad to see this book end. It touched so many of societies problems,alcoholism,abuse, poverty-you couldn't help but be touched. OPRAH SHOULD MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE!

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Summary: A great book that you can read quickly.
Review: This was an ejoyable book. Novalee really grew up from her experiences. It was great to read a book that puts some much emphasis on the joys of reading.

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Summary: Absolutely fabulous!
Review: I cannot say enough about this book. Just read it and let your heart be opened by the mentors in the book. You will feel yourself open up and smile inside. Happy reading!