Author: Arlene

The Night Circus: Book Review by Arlene

The Night Circus Review

“Watch Out!! The Circus Is Coming To Town!”

Curl up with this enchanting page turner.

This wonderful book was recommended to me at the end of last summer by my lovely niece Laura. Thank you Laura!

The artwork alone on the front cover of the paperwork edition is mesmerizing in itself. I will always choose the actual book over digital every time. I picked The Night Circus novel at Barnes and Noble,  and loved the feel and look of the book. I just love the interesting and mesmerizing front cover and this one will remain on my bookcase front and center!!

Okay, enough about me, so let’s get to the review.

There is a buzz going around that the circus might be coming to town! A circus that simply materialize at nightfall like magic, as though it has always been there even though the field it sits on now had been empty the day before.

It disappears the same way – there it is and then it isn’t! So you will wonder how do they do it, how can this happen?  The long lines to get into the circus seem to be forming already even though it is still daylight! Continue reading “The Night Circus Book Review” →

The Secret Life of Violet Grant: Book Review by Arlene

The Secret Life of Violet Grant Review

The Secret Life of Violet Grant is a romp alternating through time, witty and well-written. This novel, steeped in history and familial intrigue will keep you turning the pages and wanting more.

This novel parallels the lives of the two protagonists.

As the story unfolds it is 1964 and we meet Vivian Schuyler, a Bryn Mawr graduate, the daughter of a wealthy Fifth Avenue family who works at the Metropolitan Magazine trying to find her place as a journalist and is willing to put her career on the line to achieve her goals.

The novel then turns back to 1914 where we meet Vivian’s great aunt Violet Schuyler. Violet is a scientist of atomic physics, smart beyond her years, intelligent, brave, although naive in the ways of the heart.

We then go to 1911 and Violet, at age 19, meets Oxford professor Walter Grant, the noted physical chemist who gives her a job at his institute after she has been before rejected. Walter is smitten by her beauty, intelligence and innocence.

Professor Walter Grant and Violet become lovers, involved in a sexual romantic relationship and eventually get married.  Here is where the real Walter comes to the surface…how far he is willing to go to get everything he wants and needs. Violet soon finds herself trapped in an unhappy marriage. Continue reading “The Secret Life of Violet Grant Book Review” →

China Dolls: Book Review by Arlene

Please click here to buy China Dolls by Lisa See.

China Dolls Review:

San Francisco 1938.

Three young women are about to embark on a journey that will take them through their lives until 1988.

 They do not know each other. They are very different in their cultures and life experiences, but they are all at a crossroads in their lives at a pivotal moment, when all three, make a choice that brings them to a chance meeting, from that pivotal moment in time they do not look back and a friendship is formed that will bring them love, sadness, betrayal, success, failure, marriage, children and in the end of it all, will the bond of friendship survive? How could it? This friendship has shaped their lives for 50 years and continued to do so. Continue reading “China Dolls Book Review” →

The Nightingale: book review by Arlene.

Please click here for The Nightingale book

The Nightingale Review:

This is an immediately absorbing story set in France during the German Occupation during World War II. The people of France are living a peaceful life as word begins to spread of the German advancement nearing their borders. At first, the Parisians have no concern of Occupation but their fears begin to loom large as the German Army begins to close in. Continue reading “The Nightingale Book Review” →