Rite of Fancy

A short summary of The Physician: A medieval doctor's dram from London to Persia and back again. My favorite Noah Gordon quote from the book: "Mankind is close to savagery and must live by rules. If not, we would sink into our own animal nature and perish." Questions to ponder while reading The Physician: How far would you travel to learn? What would you give up to follow your dream? My review of The Physician: A great historical tale on the evolution of a medieval doctor. Rich in detail. Totally engrossing. **************************************** 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 cons...

A short summary of The Betty Davis Club: A cross-country road trip for a script and a profit. My favorite quote from the book: "Talking about it means you have to face it." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Have you ever misjudged the value of something? Do you like to drive? My review of The Bette Davis Club: Fun book! Beach read! Requires a boozy beverage! **************************************** 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!

Dear Henry, A little while ago, I read The Life and Miracles of St. Margaret of Cortona by Father Giunta Bevengnati , and I think she is an underrated saint. As an incorruptible, I am surprised how little is known about her. She is the perfect saint for today. She was born in 1247, and her mother died while she was young. Her father remarried, and a contentious relationship developed between her and her stepmother. She left home as a teenager and became the mistress of a nobleman for the next ten years, bearing him a son. The nobleman didn't come home one day, and his dog led St. Margaret to his murdered corpse. She left his home with her son that same day.  When she tried to return to her father's home, she was refused a place to stay and instead found herself in Cortona at the mercy of the Franciscan friars. Initially, her motives were suspect, and it took her three years of petitions to gain acceptance into the Third Order.   She would struggl...

A short summary of the book Broken Angels: Three perspectives of the Nazi regime. My favorite Gemma Liviero quote from the book: "Sometimes solitude offers the best company." Questions to ponder while reading Broken Angels: What would you do to survive? Have you ever regretted your actions? My thoughts about the book: Really, the Nazi regime was beyond horrific. A difficult book to put down. I think for some things, there is no earthly redemption. **************************************** 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 One For The Blackbird, One For The Crow: Surviving a frosty winter in Wyoming, following a murderous affair. My favorite Olivia Hawker quote from the book: "Death comes when it comes." Questions to ponder while reading One For The Blackbird, One For The Crow: Could you have forgiven it? Could you have lived with the shame? My review of the book: A story that tests the bounds of credulity. I thought Beulah was really very odd. Still, I couldn't put the book down... **************************************** 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...

A short summary of the book Cry to Heaven: Living with the physically altering effects of a life-changing song. My favorite quote from the book: "True evil in this world is done by those with no imagination." Questions to ponder while reading Cry to Heaven: How is your relationship with your father? Do you like opera? My thoughts about the book: A great tale of playing the cards you were dealt. There has to be a special place in purgatory for parents who hurt their children. *Note* this is about the Castrati and therefore may not be for everyone. **************************************** 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 ...

A short summary of the book Paingod and Other Delusions: Scifi short stories about all the varieties of pain. My favorite Harlan Ellison quote from the book: "Madness is in the eye of the beholder." Questions to ponder while reading Paingod and Other Delusions: What is your pain? What is your joy? My thoughts about the book: Social commentary via sci-fi stories. Lots of relevant (if outlandish) scenarios. The author's introductory essays are the best part. **************************************** 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 Art of Inheriting Secrets: A food critic learns the legacy of a noble house. My favorite quote from the book: "You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water." Questions to ponder while reading The Art of Inheriting Secrets: What would you do with an English manor? Do you like food? My review of The Art of Inheriting Secrets: A fun book to read on the beach. A little bit of romance is thrown in. I *DISLIKED* Samir's reaction after being asked to slow down. Not OK! **************************************** 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 co...

A short summary of The Things They Carried: What soldiers carry into (and out of) combat. My favorite Tim O'Brien quote from the book: "A true war story is never moral." Questions to ponder while reading The Things They Carried: What would you bring with you? What would you bring home? My thoughts about The Things They Carried: Haunting tales that will never leave me. Deep puddles of darkness in this war. The necklace of tongues was a bit excessive. *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 supp...

A short summary of I'm Judging You: Pointing out the obvious but over-looked bits of common sense. My favorite Luvvie Ajayi quote from the book: "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." Questions to ponder while reading I'm Judging You: Do you think etiquette is important? How many faux-pas are you guilty of? My review of the book: A humorous look at modern etiquette problems. Comical common sense abounds. *Note* If you struggle to hear about the social problems from a perspective or ethnicity not your own, this book is probably not for you. **************************************** 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...