Rite of Fancy

A short summary of The Song of Achilles: Achilles and Patroclus, a love story, told in Troy. My favorite Madeline Miller quote from the book: "You can use a spear as a walking stick but that will not change its nature." Questions to ponder while reading The Song of Achilles: Have you ever read the Illiad? What is mercy? My review of The Song of Achilles: True to the original storyline. I struggled to put it down. Mythology has the best stories. **************************************** 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 Be Good: How to find your internal North Star. My favorite Randy Cohen quote from the book: "Ethics concerns our actions not just our arguments." Questions to ponder while reading Be Good: Is anonymity unethical? Does self-interest affect your ethics? My review of the book: A good book on ethical dilemmas. Helps define your responsibilities. We really need to remember our ethics when we vote. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book Unbearable Lightness: Portia's personal battle with eating disorders. My favorite Portia de Rossi quote from the book: "True nobility isn't about being better than anyone else; it's about being better than you used to be." Questions to ponder while reading Unbearable Lightness: Honestly, how do you feel about yourself? Do you need help? My thoughts about Unbearable Lightness: The book made me cry. Our beauty standards are, I think, too high, especially for entertainers. I loved the Degeneres family before - I love them more now. **************************************** 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...

A short summary of the book Washington: A Life Great biography of America's first president. My favorite George Washington quote from the book: "Errors, once discovered, are more than half amended." Questions to ponder while reading Washington: A Life What makes a war hero? Can a good man act badly? My thoughts about Washington: A Life George is one of my heroes. I love the "Rules of Civility". Sometimes, all it takes is doing your best. **************************************** 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 Dark Matter: Trouble in the multiverse, multiplied. My favorite Blake Crouch quote from the book: "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." Questions to ponder while reading: Have you ever wondered what would happen if you had made another choice? How do you decide what life to live? My review of Dark Matter: The thought of a multiverse is terrifying. Do we really have that many variables? What makes your home "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 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 My Invented Country: Isabel's memories of growing up in Chile. My favorite Isabel Allende quote from the book: "Can you define reality? Isn't everything subjective?" Questions to ponder while reading My Invented Country: Did you know Chile had its own 9/11? Where would you go if you had to emigrate? My thoughts about My Invented Country: One of my favorite storytellers. I had no idea you should store china on the bottom shelf. I have a hankering for empanadas now. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book My Own Words: Excerpts from the Notorious R.B.G. My favorite Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote from the book: "Waste no time on anger, regret, or resentment, just get the job done." Questions to ponder while reading My Own Words: What is your position on equality? How precise is your thinking? My review of  My Own Words: An in-depth reference volume of Judge Ginsburg's writings and speeches. Full of eternally quote-worthy information. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a legal genius and her words are definitely worth paying attention to. **************************************** 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.taketheb...

A short summary of What You Hide: The mysteries of the local library. My favorite Natalie D. Richards quote from the book: "Maybe there's a book in here that will tell me what to do when all the smart choices feel wrong." Questions to ponder while reading What You Hide: Where would you go if you had no place to go? What do you think about the current services available to at-risk youth? My review of What You Hide: A fun read with a good message. Blended families are hard. We need better services for at-risk youth. **************************************** 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? Pl...

A short summary of The Covenant: Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of South Africa but were afraid to ask. My favorite James Michener quote from the book: "Anything can be done if men of good principle determine that it shall be done." Questions to ponder while reading The Covenant: How much do you like to read? What does your religion say about equality? My review of The Covenant: This is a huge damn book. But an engrossing huge damn book. The book explains the evolution, history, and progression of apartheid in South Africa very well.  It is worth the read for that reason alone. **************************************** 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 p...

A short summary of Roughing It: The biography of a riverman in the Wild Wild West. My favorite Mark Twain quote from the book: "If you are of any account, stay at home and make your way by faithful diligence; but if you are "no account" go away from home, and then you will *have* to work" Questions to ponder while reading Roughing It: Do you live close to home? Do you prefer the glitter or the gold? My review of Roughing It: An entertaining read. Lots of surprising info. Twain lived. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book The Salinger Contract: Finding inspiration in Salinger's Art. My favorite Adam Langer quote from the book: "The story's what matters; spelling's overrated." Questions to ponder while reading The Salinger Contract: Should anyone other than the criminal bear responsibility for crimes? Should books be banned because they can be inspiring? My thoughts about The Salinger Contract: In spite of the questions raised, this is a "fun" book, not a "deep" book. Easy to get into, easy to stay with. Reminded me of Carlos Ruiz Zafron's "The Angel's Game" **************************************** 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 gall...