Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book Crime and Punishment: The moral consequences of a pawnbroker's murder. My favorite quote from the book: "It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently." Questions to ponder while reading Crime and Punishment: Do your dreams talk to you? What do you think eternity is? My thoughts on Crime and Punishment: Everyone should have one of these books. Guilt is a powerful thing. Deep and complex. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  o...

A short summary of the Divergent Trilogy books: The tale of a dauntless dystopia. My favorite Veronica Roth quote from the book: "Like a wild animal, the truth is too powerful to remain caged." Questions I pondered while reading the Divergent Trilogy: Could I have conformed to society? Where do these super teenagers come from? My thoughts about the Divergent Trilogy: Fun, fun read. Total brain candy. I am glad to be past teen angst. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  or buying ...

A short summary of the book Little Dorrit: A little loyalty between debtors in their bureaucratic fight. My favorite Charles Dickens Quote from the book: "One always begins to forgive a place as soon as it is left behind." Questions I pondered while reading Little Dorrit: How loyal am I? Would I have been so kind? My thoughts about Little Dorrit: A fun little bit of Charles Dickens Bureaucracy will forever be ridiculous. Debt destroys everything.  ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop ...

A short summary of the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: McMurphy's crazy fight against the system and Nurse Ratched. My favorite Ken Kesey quote from the book: "He knew you can't be really strong until you can see the funny side of things." Questions I pondered while reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: What exactly is madness? Why does authority often turn abusive? My thoughts about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: Fight the good fight. Believe in hope. Sometimes, you just need a friend. ****** ********************************* 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 support...

A short summary of the book Under the Tuscan Sun: Food, frescoes, and foundation repairs My favorite Frances Mayes quote from the book: "Life offers you a thousand chances....all you have to do is take one." Questions I pondered while reading Under the Tuscan Sun: Could I have made a choice like that? How much pasta is considered binge eating? My review of Under the Tuscan Sun: I admire/envy this life. I was starving the entire book. I need to plant more basil and drink more wine. ****** ********************************* 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 vis...

A short summary of the book Wild: A walk away from demons. My favorite Cheryl Strayed quote from the book: "Power begets power." Questions to ponder while reading Wild: Have you ever just lost your shit? Can you find inner peace in nature? My thoughts on Wild: Hiking experience may have made this a tad easier. Grief is a powerful tailor. Sometimes you just need a walk. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of the book Far Far Away: A Grimm ghost's adventure as a guardian angel. My favorite Tom McNeal quote from the book: " In the old tales, kindness is the purest form of heroism." Questions I pondered while reading Far Far Away: What is in that cake? Are you ever too old for fairy tales? My thoughts on Far Far Away: Slow start and an epic finish. There were entirely too many J's. I wonder if anyone ever ate cake again. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  or buying m...

A short summary of the play Proof: Reconciling grief, love, resentment, trust, and talent. My favorite David Auburn quote from the book: "I trusted you. Was I wrong?" Questions I pondered while reading the book: Is it possible to spend too much time alone? Why is independent education so mistrusted? My review of Proof: I *really* want to see it live now. The play has a good flow. I admire genius. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of the book An Artist of the Floating World: An artist's life and legacy. My favorite Kazuo Ishiguro quote from the book: 'There is certainly satisfaction and dignity to be gained in coming to terms with the mistakes one has made in the course of one's life"  Questions to ponder while reading An Artist of the Floating World: What have you done that you regret? How much of your past taints the present? My review of An Artist of the Floating World: I think he regretted leaving the floating world. The cultural adaptation required was a lot. I wish I could face my guilt with such grace. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of the book The Year of Magical Thinking: How Joan survived grief and loss. My favorite Joan Didion quote from the book: "Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it." Questions to ponder while reading The Year of Magical Thinking: Can etiquette get you through anything? Do you envy them their marriage? My review of the book: I love her language. I almost felt like a voyeur. I admire her stoicism. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  or buying m...

A short summary of the book Close Range: Stories of the wilderness that is Wyoming. My favorite Annie Proulx quote from the book: "Only earth and sky matter." Questions to ponder while reading Close Range: Can you find solace in the desolate? Can you find beauty in the stark? My review of Close Range: I loved the descriptions. Well-crafted tales. A Wyoming road trip is in order. ****** ********************************* 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 and  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of the book On Canaan's Side: The tale of an Irish girl in America. My favorite Sebastian Berry Quote from the book: "Tears have a better character cried alone." Questions to ponder while reading On Canaan's Side: Would you have been able to forgive? Would you have felt left behind? My review of On Canaan's Side: The violence of Ireland's division stuns me every time I read about it. Beautiful, bittersweet story. Lilly is on the list of favorite characters.  ****** ********************************* 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 visi...