Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth's demolition destroys the question. The mice are angry. My favorite Douglas Adams quote from the book: "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" Questions I pondered while reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: How many roads must a man walk down? Why do we look for hidden meanings in everything? My review of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: I love the answer 42. I love it, even more, when someone else recognizes the answer. Geeks united forever. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.c...

A short summary of the book How to Win Friends and Influence People: How to make yourself likable. My favorite Dale Carnegie quote from the book: "To be interesting, be interested." Questions I pondered while reading How to Win Friends and Influence People: Do people really like to talk about themselves? Is it really so easy as respect? My thoughts about How to Win Friends and Influence People: Information that is useful in navigating an event. Every person is worth respect. A good book for us introverts. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 The Four Agreements: Toltec lessons for a successful life. My favorite Miguel Ruiz quote from the book: "Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art." Questions I pondered while reading The Four Agreements: Can it really be so simple? How do we get more participation in this? My review of the book The Four Agreements: A simple concept that is deceptively hard upon execution. You are your word. #AlwaysImproving ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 s...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Winning the war between good and evil with huge sacrifices. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "We are all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same and worth saving." Questions I pondered while reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Why is torture used when it is clearly ineffective? Could you sacrifice yourself for the right reasons? My thoughts about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: End of an era, and I feel pretty good about it. Good friends are an amazing asset. Thank you, J.K. for the story. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 ca...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince: A Riddle's life and the end of a legend. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more." Questions I pondered while reading Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince: Is it possible to play both sides of the fence? Is it cheating to use all of the tools available? My review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: This book contained a plot twist that almost derailed the entire Hogwarts Express. I very nearly hated J.K. for it. I couldn't wait for the next book. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 g...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: A Hogwarts rebellion against the Ministry of Magic. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Is it okay to break the rules if the rules are dumb? Is it possible to change an administration without a rebellion? My review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: I don't know why I attempt to do other things when I start a Harry Potter series (re)read. Can't put it down. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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.takethebackroad...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Adolescence and an "amazing" (pun intended) finish that brings the past to life. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "Time will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Why do we always assume the worst of people? Is competition healthy? My review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: A page-turner. A tear-jerker. A cause initiator. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 an...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: A prison break and canine adventures, packaged with soul-sucking consequences. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are." Questions I pondered while reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: How would I have handled that betrayal? What would I do with a do-over? My thoughts about Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: There are so many people I want to blow up. I would even use a time-turner to do it. And I would take my Patronus with me. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.ever...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: An elfish s-s-s-secret at Hogwarts. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain." Questions I pondered while reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Has racism ever been productive? Does bragging always look so ridiculous? My review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Good lessons about hatred. Snakes are bad. Lockhart is a twit. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 c...

A short summary of the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: A cursed boy learned to play Quidditch and wizardry between bouts of bullying and dark magic. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "Draco Doriens Nunquam Titillandus" (never tickle a sleeping dragon) Questions I pondered while reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Can friends replace a family? Do hardships create morals? My thoughts about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The book that launched 1,000 broomsticks. A must-read. Yay! Magic! ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 Lik...

A short summary of the book Jane Eyre: A governess sticks to her guns. My favorite Charlotte Brontë quote from the book: "Life appears to me too short to be spent on nursing animosity or registering wrongs." Questions I pondered while reading Jane Eyre: Why is it always the childcare attendant? Could I be alone if it was the only way to do what was right? My thoughts about Jane Eyre: Never go with the married guy who claims to love you; he is married, sweetheart. Never give up on your beliefs. I LOVE happy endings. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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...

A short summary of the book Angela's Ashes: The coming of age tale of Francis, that wee Irish lad. My favorite Frank McCourt quote from the book: "Sing your song. Dance your dance. Tell your tale." Questions I pondered while reading Angela's Ashes: Why is sanitation such an issue? Has the situation of the poor improved? My review of Angela's Ashes: Here I was, impressed, that I survived MY childhood. Grateful that I don't have to live on my second floor during the winter. Very grateful that I have more than bread. Did you know that Frank McCourt was a  veteran  of the Korean War? ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 fou...

A short summary of the book The Universal Tone: My music, my soul. - love Carlos Santana. My favorite Carlos Santana quote from the book: "When you go through hell ~ your own darkest night of the soul ~ don't take pictures to show your friends." Questions I pondered while reading The Universal Tone: Could I have kept myself centered? Why do so many creative souls self-destruct? My review of The Universal Tone: Mr. Santana is more than a great musician, he is also a great..... .........Storyteller. ..........Survivor.   ............Up-lifter.   ..............Person. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her 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 ...