Definitely a good book.  For those keeping track, this book is ranked 12 out of 24 on my top 24 book list. 

It really struck a chord with me- I’m not sure why but Novalee is definitely an interesting and strong character.  To be left behind by her boyfriend at a Wal-Mart, 7 months pregnant (and only 17), and nowhere else to go…She ends up living in a Wal-Mart, undetected and keeping track of everything she ate, drank and wore so she could one day pay back everything she had taken from the store. 

I’ve never gone through what she had to go through, but she’s a very sympathetic character, and while at Wal-Mart, meets several other great people- Sister Husband, Moses Whitecotton, and Benny Goodluck.  And who could forget about Forney Hull and Lexie Coop?  All very memorable characters.

Sister Husband is pretty awesome- she definitely made Novalee feel welcome after she came to Oklahoma.  Sister Husband is kind and pretty spunky.  She offered to let Novalee and Americus stay with her after Novalee’s mother bailed.  And Novalee a stranger to her at the tine too.   

Moses Whitecotton- I’d say he definitely inspired Novalee to become a photographer, and helped her out with her photography. 

Forney Hull- definitely set up to be Novalee’s love interest.  To me, he also inspired her to read, and Forney, being the town librarian (at least in his sisters stead, since his sister was an alcoholic), is also someone who plays an invaluable part of Novalee’s life. 

Lexie Coop- she’s definitely Novalee’s best friend.  One of the most moving scenes in the entire book was when one of Lexie’s boyfriends rapes Lexie’s two oldest children, and Lexie and her five kids live with Novalee and her daughter.

It definitely sheds a light on a small town, where people help each other out, and how community and friends are so important in our lives.  It also shows what life is like for the lower class.