Posts

Showing posts from May, 2018

Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Patterson - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book Bridge to Terabithia: Finding refuge in the mystical Terabithia. My favorite Katherine Peterson quote from the book: "You never know ahead of time what something's really going to be like." Questions to ponder while reading Bridge to Terabithia: Could you have befriended Janice? Would you have felt guilty? My review of the book Bridge to Terabithia: Childhood memories all over again. Have you ever looked for Terabithia? *Challenged Book* Everyone needs to 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 be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consid...

The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Mists of Avalon: The story of King Arthur, as told by the women around him. My favorite Marion Zimmer Bradley quote from the book: "Never name the well from which you will not drink." Questions to ponder while reading The Mists of Avalon: Do you believe your thoughts create your reality? Should any diety require so much? My thoughts about The Mists of Avalon: Eternally re-readable. A great view of King Arthur. Good intentions often go so badly. **************************************** 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...

The Sixth Extinction - An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Sixth Extinction: Where did the frogs go? My favorite Elizabeth Kolbert quote from the book: "Extinction rates soar, and the texture of life changes." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Seriously, where did the frogs go? Did you realize how much impact you had? My review of Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction: I wonder....can we stop it? I wonder.....why aren't we more focused on this? I wonder.....what will I miss the most? **************************************** 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 wo...

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: An underwater adventure aboard the Nautilus. My favorite Jules Verne quote from the book: "To the poet, a pearl is a tear from the sea." Questions to ponder while reading the book: What do you suppose happened to Captain Nemo? How was Conseil so calm? My review of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: I see the allure of the Nautilus. I would love to see that ocean. Great steampunk 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 ...

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West - Gregory Maguire - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of the book Wicked: The tragedy of Elphaba. My favorite Gregory Maguire quote of the book: "No one controls your destiny. Even at the worst, there is always a choice." Questions to ponder while reading Wicked: What did you think of Oscar? What would you do for a pair of shoes? My thoughts about Wicked: A great twist on an old story. I am now on team Elphaba. Oppression is always ugly. **************************************** 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!

The Girl who Played with Fire Trilogy - Stieg Larsson - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the books The Girl who Played with Fire trilogy: Solving Swedish mysteries with the Blomkvist and Salander team. My favorite Stieg Larsson quote from the books: "Everyone has secrets. It's just a matter of finding out what they are." Questions to ponder while reading The Girl who Played with Fire trilogy: Did the level of espionage surprise you? Is Sweden really that dark? My thoughts about The Girl who Played with Fire trilogy: I had a complete paradigm shift in my perception of Sweden. Misogynists suck. Great fun in a trilogy. **************************************** 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...

The Shining - Stephen King - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of The Shining: Mom?  Dad is crazy and I think the hotel is haunted. My favorite Stephen King quote from the book: "Monsters are real. Ghosts are too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Questions to ponder while reading The Shining: How much does it take to traumatize a child for life? How much baggage do you collect before filing for divorce? My thoughts about The Shining: Scary, creepy, fun. Make sure you finish  Daniel's Saga . Stop by  The Stanley  during a Rocky Mountain Park Road Trip. **************************************** 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 #TaketheBa...

The Color Purple by Alice Walker - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Color Purple: Miss Celie's Blues. My favorite Alice Walker quote from the book: "Everything want to be loved." Questions to ponder while reading The Color Purple: Is God inside you? Can you truly curse someone? My review of The Color Purple: Celie is one of my heroes. The power dynamics of that time made me sick. A must-read for everyone *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 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...

Never Fall Down - Patricia McCormick - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book Never Fall Down: A child's survival of the Khmer Rouge. My favorite Patricia McCormick quote from the book: "You show nothing, maybe you live." Questions to ponder while reading Never Fall Down: Where do these governments come from? Why would anyone use a child to fight? My thoughts about Never Fall Down: This story will haunt me forever. I can't believe anyone survived. That  Arn Chorn-Pond  found any hope is amazing. **************************************** 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 m...

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Jungle Book: The collected stories of the forest. My  favorite Rudyard Kipling quote from the book: "Now, don't be angry after you've been afraid. That's the worst kind of cowardice." Questions to ponder while reading The Jungle Book: Was Bagheera a little harsh? Don't you want a mongoose? My review of The Jungle Book: Good story moral, bad racial behavior. Childhood favorite. Rikki Tikki Tavi for the win. **************************************** 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...

The Invisible Man - H.G. Wells - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Invisible Man: An experiment in invisibility. My favorite H.G. Wells quote from the book: "I never blame anyone, it's quite out of fashion." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Would you have drunk it? Would a pleasant manner have helped the situation? My review of The Invisible Man: No one can live in complete isolation. It helps to fully think things through. Griffin was an asshole. **************************************** 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 buyin...

White Oleander by Janet Finch - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book White Oleander: An artist finds herself in foster care, following her mother's murderous act. My favorite Janet Finch quote from the book: "The phoenix must burn to emerge." Questions to ponder while reading White Oleander: What was your mother like? Why can't we do something about foster care? My review of White Oleander: Selfish mothers are hard to live with. We are failing our children. Art can heal a lot. **************************************** 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  websho...

The Time Machine - H.G. Wells - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Time Machine: What does the future of humanity hold? My favorite H.G. Wells quote from the book: "I grieved to think how brief the dream of the human intellect had been. It had committed suicide." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Is this perhaps plausible? Would you eat the meat? My thoughts about The Time Machine: At some point, humans will change. Life needs to stay challenging. Much better than Bill & Ted's. **************************************** 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...

Pet Sematary - Stephen King - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of the book Pet Sematary: What is put in the ground doesn't always stay in the ground. My favorite Stephen King quote from the book: "Death is a mystery and burial is a secret." Questions to ponder while reading Pet Sematary: Is any life better than death? When do you decide to put up a fence? My thoughts about Pet Sematary: Scared me to death. Put me down for cremation. I have seen the inspiration at the  Stanley Hotel (the whole place is haunted) **************************************** 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...

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book As a Man Thinketh: Proverbs, Chapter 23, Verse 7. My favorite James Allen quote from the book: "Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power" Questions to ponder while reading As a Man Thinketh: Where do your thoughts lie? Do you believe thoughts control your physical well-being? My review of As a Man Thinketh: Timeless Philosophy. I am responsible for me. I will be thinking great thoughts. **************************************** 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 ...

Carrie by Stephen King - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book Carrie: Don't taunt the telekinetic. My favorite Stephen King quote from the book: "True sorrow is as rare as true love." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Should a religion ever be that scary? Why are teenagers so mean? My review of Carrie: I will always feel bad for Carrie. The bullying crap really needs to stop. Pigs blood?  Really? **************************************** 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!

The Casual Vacancy - J.K. Rowling - A Short Summary & Review

Image
A short summary of the book The Casual Vacancy: There is an open seat on the Pagford Parish Council. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the book: "You must accept the reality of other people." Questions to ponder while reading The Casual Vacancy: Does anyone have a happy home life? Does everyone have so many skeletons? My thoughts about The Casual Vacancy: A J.K. for big kids. Elections are such a mess. I LOATHED Samantha. **************************************** 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...