Rating: 
Summary: Too Much of a Mediocre Thing
Review: First of all, as a native Oklahoman, let me announce the world that tornadoes do NOT strike everyone who lives in Oklahoma. This would have been a good book if the author had stuck to the story of a 17-year-old single, homeless mother trying to survive. Believe me, that's hard enough. But, come on, are we really supposed to believe that she and her "family" also have to cope with kidnapping, a killer tornado, a convict ex-lover, sexual and physical abuse, a mother who steals money and runs, alcoholic sisters who need fulltime care, drowned children, a burned-down house...the only things missing were a drought, a flood, a bank foreclosure and some incest. Despite my criticism, this was not a BAD book. I felt like I connected with the main character and felt motivated by her determination. I would not DISCOURAGE anyone from reading the book but would warn them that it is not great literature, only an easy read. I'd better end this review because HERE COMES THE TWISTER - I'D BETTER GO GET THE DOGS OUT FROM UNDER THE TRAILER BEFORE IT HITS!
Rating: 
Summary: NOT just a children's book!
Review: JK Rowling has a wonderful imagination. She brings you into the story immediately and you're there with Harry, enjoying all the adventures. I've read it twice, so far, and I won't loan my copy out.
Rating:
Summary: Where the Heart Is
Review: This is the best book I have ever read! I am so in awe of Letts's beautiful, rich characters. I DEVOURED the whole book in a day. Her style and fabulous names (Novalee!) caught me right away and never let me down once. The only word I can use to describe this work of art is Pure. One book never demanded such extreme emotions from me. Catcher in the Rye is now bumped down to number 2. I never thought it could be topped for me, but that was before Billie Letts gave me Novalee. You see her grow and change and it's such a beautiful story that I can't wait to read it again and again. How inspiring this novel was.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read
Review: This is wonderful and inspiring book. Novalee is great character. This book will leave you feeling you can overcome any of lifes hardships.
Rating: 
Summary: Where the Dreck Is
Review: The literary equivilent of a full-body heave, "Where the Heart is" can proudly take its place as the single worst piece of literature I have ever read. I'm sure Billie Letts is a nice person, but generally speaking, this is what happens when nice people get ahold of a word processor. The story of Novalee Nation and baby Americus (these names alone should have caused an editor to put a halt to things) reads like an afterschool special. Bad things happen to them, they overcome, everyone's happy. I think Alfred E. Newman put it best when he said: "Bleech!"I understand that this started out as a short story. It's clear to see where the short story ended. For that's where the tornadoes, fires, beatings (insert bad thing done to good person here) begin. But for what purpose? Simply so Novalee can "overcome" them? Isn't there something missing here? Something resembling a point? Where the Heart Is is the only novel I have ever read which compels me to approach strangers in the bookstore in an attempt to prevent them from making the same mistake I did. But I guess that's not such a bad thing. For I've made several new friends this way. So thank you, Billie Letts, for bringing me closer to book lovers across the region.
Rating:
Summary: Very much enjoyed
Review: I'm 14 years old and at first I was a little intimidated by the length of the book, but it was awesome and I read is so fast. I could not put it down. It was one of the best books I ever read and it gave me the feeling that I knew some of the characters or at least wanted to know them in person. I felt like I was in the town where this happened. It really drew me in. I thought all the people who helped Novalee were so friendly and nice. Although it may not have been totally realistic, fiction books aren't supposed to be. It was a very entertaining story with many lessons and morals that more people need to know. I most definetly recommend this book to anyone, although it is graphic at times and uses bad language.
Rating:
Summary: YES, YES, YES!
Review: Welcome Billie Letts to my bookshelf! What an enjoyable read! I was so hungry for more that I rushed to town (about 35 miles) to buy Billie's other book "The Honk & Holler Opening Soon". I was not disappointed! Very refreshing style and Billie knows how to move the story along. Can't wait for her next one.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the paper shredder?
Review: I'm not sure if you can give a book 0 stars, but this would be the one! If people actually find this book inspirational then they are the hopeless ones. This book is so unrealistic. How many pregnant 17 years olds could get it that easy? I'll admit this book makes it look pretty good. Maybe we should all get pregnant, head to Wal-Mart, meet Sam along with the other wonderful people of this Oklahoma town where money just comes to us in the mail. To top it off Novalee is an empty character. She has no personality and I saw no change or growth in her character througout the book. Some good uses for the book shreddings: a) line hamster cage b) good for packaging c) fill room with shreddings as a joke (that way you'll need to shred even more of them)
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book - Except Chapter 28
Review: This was an enjoyable book to read and as most other readers, I had a hard time putting it down. However, readers should be aware that there is a chapter in which child sexual abuse occurs which I feel was not really necessary. The same effect to the storyline could have been achieved by having the childrens' mother beat up by the boyfriend rather than his sexually attacking the children. This was very disturbing to me and made my stomach ill. Frankly, I could have done without this chapter and enjoyed the book much more had it been omitted. The only explanation I can think of is perhaps the author hoped that single mothers who read the book would be more cautious in choosing boyfriends and letting them befriend their children. Otherwise I very much enjoyed this book.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: I bought this book without knowing that was from the Oprah book club (I had promised myself I was not going to read another depressing Oprah book again). But this book is different from all her picks, it makes you believe that there is still goodness in people's hearts. I don't know if it is plausible, and I don't care, sometimes is good to remember that no matter how many problems we have, there are people ready to give us a helping hand and help us making our dreams come true.
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