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    Where the Heart Is
    Unavailable
    Where the Heart Is
    Unavailable
    Where the Heart Is
    Audiobook6 hours

    Where the Heart Is

    Written by Jo Knowles

    Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    If home is where the heart is, what would happen if you lost it? Compassion and humor infuse the story of a family caught in financial crisis and a girl struggling to form her own identity.

    It’s the first day of summer and Rachel's thirteenth birthday. She can't wait to head to the lake with her best friend, Micah. But as summer unfolds, every day seems to get more complicated. Her “fun” new job taking care of the neighbors’ farm animals quickly becomes a challenge, whether she’s being pecked by chickens or having to dodge a charging pig at feeding time. At home, her parents are more worried about money than usual, and their arguments over bills intensify. Fortunately, Rachel can count on Micah to help her cope with all the stress. But Micah seems to want their relationship to go beyond friendship, and though Rachel almost wishes for that, too, she can’t force herself to feel “that way” about him. In fact, she isn’t sure she can feel that way about any boy — or what that means.

    With all the heart of her award-winning novel See You At Harry's, Jo Knowles brings us the story of a girl who must discover where her heart is and what that means for her future.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateApr 2, 2019
    ISBN9781721365777
    Unavailable
    Where the Heart Is
    Author

    Jo Knowles

    Jo Knowles is the author of the novels Jumping Off Swings and Lessons from a Dead Girl. She lives in Vermont with her husband and son.

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    Reviews for Where the Heart Is

    4/5

    1,844 ratings67 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 I wrote:

      Bought this from Ebay. Arrived today 21/01/04

      I really loved this book.It was very hard for me to release it,but i managed.I have been reading English for about 1 year now, But I only read true crime. While reading this book,i realized it's not good to only read True crime, which are quite depressing books most of the time,but change genre sometimes.This book made me laugh,cry but most of all, made me think! (I gave it a 9 out of 10)
    • 5/5
      I just love this book! The characters are simply laugh-out-loud, unforgettably eccentric and the story is engaging and heart-felt. A real winner!
    • 5/5
      I loved this book. I was fascinated how she lived in Wal-Mart for so long without being caught. I loved her perseverance in life.
    • 5/5
      I'm giving this one five stars because I ended up reading it many times. The characters are real and unforgettable and their problems relatable. I fell in love with the town and the protagonist very early on.This is a book about healing and hope and still one of my favorites.
    • 5/5
      I loved the movie so I had to run out and buy the book and I absolutely love the book more so than the movie! Nova Lee had her share of ups and downs but she never gave up. I love her spirit and the story line is very relate able.
    • 4/5
      I have always been fascinated with the concept of 'white trash' and trailer parks. I am fascinated by them because there is nothing similar to be found in either my birth country or my adoptive one, and because of the love-hate relationship America seems to have with its own residents - the ones who seemingly love it the most. From my naive outsider's perspective, America is a beautiful, vain woman ashamed of the love of an ugly man.

      Novalee Nation fits the bill - pregnant at 17, she's never lived in a house that didn't have wheels, she's stuck in a relationship with a man who is very obviously not good for her (or anyone), she has few prospects and she's uneducated and naive. Her naivety is what will eventually save her - Novalee trusts virtually anyone, and that works out unexpectedly well for her.

      If nothing else, this novel is a lesson in trust. With a few exceptions which seem to appear mostly as generic, one-dimensional representations of "the bad", all the characters are kind, selfless, trusting and open. While this does not make for a realistic novel, it does make for a nice feel-good read with an uplifting story and very attaching characters. There is something to be said for anything that makes you feel better than you were feeling before, and this book does a brilliant job of making you feel warm, fuzzy and optimistic.

      My only complaint is, as I mentioned before, the generic aspect to the "bad" people, chief among them Willy Jack, the runaway baby-daddy. I had little to no interest in the Willy Jack segments and I ended up skimming through them. I'm not quite sure what the intention behind these chapters was. There is little insight into Willy Jack as a character, virtually no redemption (save for a drunken epiphany and a rather anticlimactic scene at the very end of the book), and it all comes off as a rather jarring bit of schadenfreude. Thankfully, these chapters are few and far between and have very little impact on the rest of the story.
    • 4/5
      This book was incredibly touching, the movie did not do justice to the self discovery experienced by the characters in the book.
    • 4/5
      This was recommended to me by a family member. I found it a quick read, and the characters are quirky and fun. There is a great deal of tragedy that mets the characters, but each time, there is a thread of hope that creates a very buoyant story. I enjoyed this story.
    • 5/5
      I saw the movie version of this book when it first came out and it has become one of my favorite movies, so this book has been one I have wanted to read for a while. I just finally got around to reading it now and am glad that I did. This book was as good, if not better, than the movie. This heartwarming tale of Novalee Nation just jumps off the pages and comes to life for readers. This book was beautifully written and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
    • 4/5
      I saw the movie first, and when I was telling my sister-in-law about it, she said, "I have that book!" and promptly gave it to me. The book is better than the movie (no news there).Letts is a master at putting together an ensemble of characters, each with problem, flaws and several endearing qualities.
    • 4/5
      true love prevails after a 17 yr old girl gives birth at a Wal Mart, lots of intense scenes
    • 5/5
      A young girl is deserted by her boyfriend in a Walmart.
    • 4/5
      Good. Simpler than I expected.
    • 2/5
      After reading Lett's Honk and Holler Opening Soon, I was disappointed with this one. It felt too predictable and the characters were too "goody-goody." I'd recommend it only to people who like light reading and little complexity to their novels.
    • 3/5
      Seventeen year-old Novalee Nation finds herself pregnant and alone in a small town in Oklahoma. The story tells of her finding love, friendship, and meaning in her life as she struggles to raise the baby on her own.
    • 5/5
      I love Letts' stories!
    • 5/5
      i love this book. just as good the second time around.
    • 4/5
      It's been a while since I watched the movie based on this book, so there were a lot of things I forgot about. It was an enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      Looking at the other reviews for this novel, it seems people either love it or hate it. Maybe because my roots are in the South, I'm on the love it side. The characters are endearing, the story is engaging; there is heartache, but also an extra dose of southern comfort from friends and neighbors to get through. Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts is that kind of down home southern story that you can just sink into with a glass of sweet tea by your side.
    • 5/5
      Reviewed by Erika (Class of 2012)In this book, Novalee Nation is abandoned in a small town in Oklahoma, seven months pregnant. She has no where to go, she she lives in the Wal-Mart, where she was dropped off, where she had the baby. This is amazing. It's absolutely hilarious in it's own way. I also recommend seeing the movie.
    • 4/5
      This is a "feel-good" read. Novalee gets plenty of wise words and encouragement from the caring town folks. They are a rich tapestry in her new life. She's grateful for their homely advice and hospitality, and doesn't take for granted their good intentions, though Novalee has the ability to stand her ground too and does. Although lost at first and a bit child-like, Novalee already has principles and dreams, and it's her sincere appreciation and good wishes, that make her an instantly likeable character.
    • 4/5
      It was a real feelgood story. I really liked Novalee, she had a sweetness about her that I really liked. She was in the worst position ever, abandoned in a strange town, pregnant and with nothing. Yet she still managed to be okay and make lemonade out of lifes lemons.

      I found all the unfortunate events that happened to Willy Jack hilarious!

      All in all I enjoyed this book.
    • 4/5
      The characters are simply laugh-out-loud, unforgettably eccentric and the story is engaging and heart-felt.I but, I thought that the author could have given warning about that guy Lexy hooked up with--that was just horrible. The upbeat side of tragedy comes through at every turn and the reader is pleasantly left with the optimism that good will prevail. A joy to read and emotionally satisfing along the way.
    • 4/5
      The unusual story of Novalee Nation, a pregnant 17 year old who is abandoned by her good-for-nothing boyfriend in an Oklahoma Wall-Mart. After having her baby under unique circumstances, and meeting a cast of peculiar but good-hearted characters, Novalee discovers her own worth and the worth of the people she loves.This was a very nice book with a nice story and nice characters... but nothing particularly eye opening or surprising in it. There were no clever narrative devices, no deep philosophical questions addressed, no particular attention to character study. I don't mean this to sound derogatory, this was indeed a very satisfying (if not particularly challenging) read. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that are simply told and allowed to speak for themselves. The book had interesting characters, some fun twists and turns, and a satisfying happy ending. And perhaps most importantly, it had a good heart. I'm not sure it's a story that will haunt me, but I'm not at all sorry I picked it up.
    • 5/5
      I LOVE Billie Letts! Novalee Nation is a wonderful heroine. Seventeen years old, pregnant and dumped by her loser boyfriend at an Oklahoma Wal-Mart, she proves to be a resilient survivor, a wonderful mom, and a good friend.
    • 2/5
      A bit funny and sweet and sappy...quintessential old Oprah's Book, Club selection. Yawn!
    • 4/5
      I read it becuase Oprah told me to. Liked it, but wouldn't have sought it out.
    • 5/5
      I think this was the first Oprah book that I read. Since then, Billie Letts has become a favorite. The movie doesn't dissappoint either.
    • 4/5
      This book was really good! Now this is what I call a great book! The author thought of an original plot. I'm getting tired of the same paranormal books with vampires, and witches. I didn't see the movie. My friend gave this book to me. I liked the main character, you should read this book.
    • 4/5
      I never saw the movie, but I really liked the book.