Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book Glimpses of the Moon: The business of marriage. My favorite Edith Wharton quote from the book: " It had evidently not occurred to her as yet that those who consent to share the bread of adversity may want the whole cake of prosperity for themselves.” Questions I pondered while reading Glimpses of the Moon: Why is so much work put into avoiding work? Where does one find friends such as these? My review of Glimpses of the Moon: The trials, tribulations, and drama of the well-to-do are so entertaining, perhaps this is why we have the Kardashians. I think I would rather have a job. I think I would have rather stayed single. **************************************** 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.e...

A short summary of the book The Marriage Plot: Marriage isn't always the right answer, not even in college. My favorite Jeffery Eugenides quote from the book: “People don't save other people. People save themselves.” Questions I pondered while reading The Marriage Plot: Can travel provide a spiritual perspective? Do I have the patience to love someone who is severely ill? My thoughts about The Marriage Plot: College wasn't much more fun than high school. I will pass on hospital volunteering. Mental illness impacts everyone. **************************************** 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 pa...

A short summary of the book The Da Vinci Code: A murder leaves clues to the location of the Holy Grail. My favorite Dan Brown quote from the book: "History is always written by the winners." Questions I pondered while reading The DaVinci Code: Are conspiracies really that prevalent? Should worship be painful? My review of The DaVinci Code: Things I love: Mysteries Alternative Histories Conspiracy Theories Especially when they go over the top **************************************** 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, ...

A short summary of the book Seize the Day: Dreams, disillusionment, debt, and a day of reckoning. My favorite Saul Bellow quote from the book: "If love is love, it's free." Questions I pondered while reading Seize the Day: Is it possible to spend too much time in your own head? How appropriate is tough love? My review of Seize the Day: Tommy is a sad, little, man. I suppose I should have felt bad but didn't. Tommy is a great example of what not to do. **************************************** 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...

A short summary of the book Le Pere Goriot: The repercussions of social climbing. My favorite Honore de Balzac quote from the book: "Someday you will find out that there is far more happiness in another's happiness than in your own." Questions I pondered while reading the book: How would I choose to obtain my social status? Does greed cause a lack of empathy? My review of the book Le Pere Goriot: You can give your children too much. Perhaps more people should get a job. Some souls are shockingly awful. **************************************** 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...

A short summary of the book Emma: A meddling matchmaker matures and marries. My favorite Jane Austen quote from the book: "What is right to be done cannot be done too soon." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Is unsolicited advice ever appreciated? How hard is a humble pie to swallow? My review of Emma: Personal object lesson. My way isn't the only way. No one really wants advice. **************************************** 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 me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of the book Alias Grace: What murder?  Oh, that murder!  Yeah,  I don't remember anything about it. My favorite Margaret Atwood quote from the book: "If we were on trial for our thoughts, we would all be hanged." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Are women still locked into the roles of the good, the bad, and the crazy? Why is ethnicity bashing the go-to method of demeaning someone? My review of the book Alias Grace: Ambiguity Did she? Victim or criminal? **************************************** 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 suppo...

A short summary of the book The Pictures of Dorian Gray: A beautiful painting turns ugly. My favorite Oscar Wilde quote from the book: "Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Is it true that pretty is as pretty does? Do hedonism and self-indulgence always lead to ruin? My review of The Picture of Dorian Gray: Would you, if you could? I want all my wrongs transferred to a painting. I wonder if I would miss them? **************************************** 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 wor...

A short summary of the book The Black Dahlia: A former boxer gets bashed about in the search for the Black Dahlia killer. My favorite James Ellroy quote from the book: "Some people don't respond to civility." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Does everyone have a secret agenda? Is obsession ever helpful? My review of The Black Dahlia: Noir, tough guys and a murder solved. Buck up!  It's a marathon to the end. Such a fun piece of brain candy. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book All the Light We Cannot See: Surviving WWII Paris by sound. My favorite Anthony Doerr quote from the book: "Don't you want to be alive before you die?" Questions I pondered while reading the book: How do you know if you are doing the right thing? How do you find the right path when you have lost your way? My thoughts about All the Light We Cannot See: Unable to put down. Went through it faster than a box of caramels. A book to read over and over again. **************************************** 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 visiti...

A short summary of the book Allan Quatermain: The ultimate Bro's trip to Africa. My favorite H. Rider Haggard quote from the book: "How can a world be good in which Money is the moving power, and Self-interest the guiding star?" Questions I pondered while reading the book: What would I do for/with a friend? Is there an easy way to break someone's heart? My review of Allan Quatermain: Entertainment. Brain Candy. Great Fun. **************************************** 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 me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of the book Frankenstein: A scientist plugs a creation into the current of life. It ends badly. My favorite Mary Shelley quote from the book: "Beware, for I am fearless, therefore powerful." Questions I pondered while reading Frankenstein: Does "can" always mean "should"? Should science and morality ever be separate? My review of the book Frankenstein: Scientific irresponsibility at its finest. I always felt sorry for the monster. Never abandon what you build. **************************************** 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 b...

A short summary of the book Dracula: A Transylvanian vampire in London. My favorite quote from the book: "Truly, there is no such thing as finality." Questions I pondered while reading Dracula: If Helsing and the boys are good and Dracula is evil, what does that make Renfield? Do women really need to be under the influence of a vampire to be sexual? My review of the book Dracula: Grand-daddy of the vampire tale. Cultural and genre references abound. Victorian men were quite histrionic.  **************************************** 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 suppor...