Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book Elizabeth the Queen: The life of Britain's longest-reigning monarch. My favorite Queen Elizabeth II quote: "It has perhaps always been the case that the waging of peace is the hardest form of leadership of all." Questions to ponder while reading Elizabeth the Queen: How much of my life would I give up for my country? Would England be England without the Queen? My review of the book: An engaging read about an engaging monarch. I do not envy the Queen's responsibilities I do envy her stable and cars. *sigh* I suppose you can't have one without the other. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at...

A short summary of the book For Whom the Bell Tolls: An American guerrilla in Spain. My favorite Ernest Hemingway quote from the book: "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for and I should hate very much to leave it." Questions to ponder while reading For Whom the Bell Tolls: Could you fight a war that wasn't yours? Should you love wholeheartedly, even if your time together is short? My thoughts about For Whom the Bell Tolls: There is romance in fighting for your beliefs. Pure idealism is difficult to fight. A book for the warrior in us all. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroa...

A short summary of the book Their Eyes Were Watching God: Sit down and listen as I tell you about my skeletons, because, inquiring minds want to know. My favorite Zora Neale Hurston quote from the book: "We don't know nothing but what we see" Questions I pondered while reading Their Eyes Were Watching God: Why do people always assume the worst? Does everyone feel compelled to tell their tale when faced with judgment? My review of Their Eyes Were Watching God: Stay true to yourself. Stay true to your happiness. Stay true to your story. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackro...

A short summary of the book Island Beneath the Sea: The success of a compassionate slave. My favorite Isabel Allende quote from the book: "We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Is kindness always the right answer? Seriously, what broke so many years ago that made slavery okay? My review of Island Beneath the Sea: Zarite is a much better person than I could ever hope to be. Beautiful character. Ugly time. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Li...

A short summary of the book The Kite Runner: Traveling during a war for friendship, shame, and atonement. My favorite Khaled Hossein quote from the book: "There is only one sin, only one, and that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft." Questions I pondered while reading The Kite Runner: If God is love, why are so many religious people full of hate? How far would I travel to atone for my shame? My review of The Kite Runner: It made me think, hard. It made me feel, hard. *bonus* The Taliban hate the book, meaning it must be read. *Regularly challenged, be a rebel and read it* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can...

A short summary of the book M Train: 18 stops of Patti's train. My favorite Patti Smith quote from the book: "We sometimes eclipse our own dreams with reality." Questions I pondered while reading M Train: Can Earl Grey replace black coffee? Can I find as much mythical in the mundane? My review of M Train: I want to see Patti's New York. I want to visit a mythical Chinese restaurant. I want to buy a boat for a clubhouse. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying m...

A short summary of the book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn : A poor girl grows up, Brooklyn style. My favorite Betty Smith quote from the book: "Look at everything always as if you are seeing it for the first time or the last time. Thus your time on earth is filled with glory."                    Questions to ponder while reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Is social class more than money? How much do you like to read? My review of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Life changer! Education = Success! No stale bread for me! **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebac...