Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book I, Robot: The stories of the future of human behavior. My favorite Isaac Asimov quote from the book: "You are the only one responsible for your own wants." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Should technology replace human interaction? Should we rely on our inventions? My review the book I, Robot: Great stories of the future. A good look into the ethics of AI. Voting no on robotic weapons. **************************************** 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 short summary of the book Orange Is the New Black: All about a woman's experience in federal prison.  My favorite Piper Kerman quote from the book: “Do you have to find the evil in yourself in order to truly recognize it in the world?” Questions to ponder while reading the book: How do you feel about mandatory sentencing? Is incarceration really the best option for addiction? My review of Orange Is the New Black: Points at the stupidity of the U.S. Criminal Code. Incarceration without addiction support does nothing. This is really nothing like the "Slumber Party in Prison" that the Netflix show became. **************************************** 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 photog...

A short summary of the book 41 - A Portrait of My Father: Let me tell you about my dad, the 41st president. My favorite George H.W. Bush quote from the book: "Always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How much do you value friendship? Do you write letters? My review of the book 41: I have changed some perceptions about his presidency since reading. I truly admire his kindness. I may try skydiving. **************************************** 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 p...

A short summary of the book Every Man in this Village is a Liar: A woman correspondent's tale of the wars in the Middle East. My favorite Megan K. Stack quote from the book: "You can overcome the things that are done to you, but you cannot escape the things that you have done." Questions to ponder while reading Every Man in this Village is a Liar: Should we have done more? By what criteria do we intervene? My thoughts about Every Man in this Village is a Liar: Huge cultural difference. Similes abound in this book. I still don't know why we are even there. **************************************** 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.takethebackroad...

A short summary of Case Closed: Shutting the door on the Kennedy Conspiracy Theory. My favorite quote by President John F. Kennedy: "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." Questions to ponder while reading Case Closed: Do you believe there was a cover-up? Did you feel comfortable with the evidence? My review of Case Closed: In-depth and covers every angle. Debunks much. Case closed. **************************************** 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 The Vanquished: A cop goes rogue for all of the right reasons. My favorite David Putnam quote from the book: "I knew better than to say anything. My dad didn't raise any fools." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Are law and justice the same? Can you want to help too much? My review of The Vanquished: Fast-paced and hard to put down. Roller coaster ride to the end. Too many twists to count. **************************************** 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 buy...

A short summary of the book Moll Flanders: Words from a working girl. My favorite Daniel Defoe quote from the book: "As covetousness is the root of all evil, so poverty is, I believe, the worst of all snares." Questions to ponder while reading Moll Flanders: Is society to blame for our woes? Should it be so hard to make a living? My thoughts about Moll Flanders: A book I wish I had read when I was younger. I admire Moll's spirit. A must-read for all girls. **************************************** 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 Helter Skelter: The Prosecutor's case against the Manson family. My favorite Vincent Bugliosi quote from the book: "It takes a special type of person to do what they did." Questions to ponder while reading Helter Skelter: Can you ever learn too much about a topic? Can someone be truly unredeemable? My thoughts about Helter Skelter: 1969 was a very crazy year. A good, in-depth look into a disturbing case.  I am really glad he is gone. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of Me Talk Pretty One Day: Essays on the life of David Sedaris. My favorite David Sedaris quote from the book: "If you aren't cute, you may as well be clever." Questions to ponder while reading Me Talk Pretty One Day: How is your relationship with your family? Do you speak French? My review of Me Talk Pretty One Day: Dysfunction can be so much fun. It always helps to laugh. When all else fails, eat 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  webshop , or by buying me a cu...

A short summary of the book House of Stone: Rebuilding a life and the family's home in Lebanon. My favorite Anthony Shadid quote from the book: "Sometimes it is better to imagine the past than to remember it." Questions to ponder while reading House of Stone: Where is your home? Have you ever remodeled? My review of the book House of Stone: An amazing journey through the past and present of Lebanon. I can't imagine rebuilding a house in a war zone. I think the chaos would have overwhelmed 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.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider support...

A short summary of Fat Land:  How America got fat. My favorite Greg Critser quote from the book: "Some guy called me fatso." Questions to ponder while reading Fat Land: How much processed food do you eat? Has the global agricultural revolution hurt or helped our diets? My review of Fat Land: A great look at the dietary mishaps of the U.S. There is no single smoking gun. Check your labels, check your waistline. **************************************** 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 cof...

A short summary of the book Hitler's Furies: How Nazi women kept themselves busy during the war. My favorite Wendy Lower quote from the book: "The dramatic stories of these women reveal the darkest side of female activism. They show what can happen when women of varied backgrounds and professions are mobilized for war and acquiesce in genocide." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Are women just as capable of evil as men? Could you have maintained your values during that time? My review of the book Hitler's Furies: It made my heart hurt, I can't believe how many women participated in this. WWII was such a horrible time. Feminism includes acknowledging that women can also be accomplished in evil. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book Hitch-22: The autobiography of a British correspondent. My favorite Christopher Hitchens quote from the book "Live all you can, it's a mistake not to." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How was your education? How do you feel about religion? My review of the book Hitch-22: Great story about a man who lived. Political and religious opinions abound. I was sad to learn that he will never write anything else. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book In The Distance: A Swedish hawk's tale of loneliness in the American West. My favorite Hernan Diaz quote from the book: "A year and an instant are equivalent in a monotonous life." Questions to ponder while reading In The Distance: Could you have gone on alone? Do you believe every story you hear? My thoughts on In The Distance: Hakan broke my heart. Life is unfair and people are cruel. I think I would have lost my mind, and I'm an introvert. **************************************** 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 vis...

A short summary of the book Exit West: Stepping through the doorway of a new life looking for refuge. My favorite Mohsin Hamid quote from the book: "The end of the world can be cozy at times." Questions to ponder while reading Exit West: What rights should refugees have? What can we do to make these situations more humane? My review of Exit West: The story is believable and appalling because it is so believable (well maybe not the teleportation part) Why can't we (as a race) come up with better and more humane solutions for displaced people is beyond me. Still, though, you can't just take over someone's home. **************************************** 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 photog...

A short summary of American Street: Immigration to America. My favorite Ibi Zoboi quote from the book: "We have to become everything that we want." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you agree with American immigration policy? Would you want to stay in America? My review of American Street: An in-depth look into problems facing both immigrants and Detroit. Is this really how it is? Can we hope for better outcomes? Better endings? **************************************** 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  webs...

A short summary of Out of Egypt: A short tale about a young boy named Jesus. My favorite Anne Rice quote from the book: "I was sent here to be alive. To breathe and sweat and thirst and sometimes cry." Questions to ponder while reading Out of Egypt: How much should young children know? How would you feel? My review of Out of Egypt: I was pleasantly surprised by this book.   Ms. Rice did a great job bringing to life a precocious and empathetic child.   I can't imagine how I would feel after finding out such a secret.   I was devastated to think that a child would ultimately have to carry that type of burden. **************************************** 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.everydaypatri...