Rite of Fancy

A short summary of Man's Search For Meaning: Finding peace in one's purpose. My favorite Viktor Frankl quote from the book: "The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs." Questions to ponder while reading Man's Search For Meaning: What's most important to you? What do you spend your time on? My review of the book: A must-read for those who are "stuck". There are difficult scenes from concentration camps. A bit on the "technicalese" side. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A gymnast learns to focus on living. My favorite Dan Millman quote from the book: "The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination." Questions to ponder while reading The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: Have you ever had to overcome physical limitations? Have you ever struggled with anger? My review of the book: A good book on the power of focus. Lots of wisdom. Lots of inspiration. ****** ********************************* 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  w...

 A short summary of the book The Keeper of Lost Things: Finding the stories behind the items strangers have lost. My favorite Ruth Hogan quote from the book: "If you never get sadness, how do you know what happy is like?" Questions to ponder while reading the book: Have you ever lost something important? Have you ever found something that you were sure was important to someone else? My review of the book The Keeper of Lost Things: I was leery about the plot when I started and pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The stories truly touched my heart. I hope I don't end up in a biscuit tin. ****** ********************************* 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 photograp...

A short summary of the book The Story of a Soul: The story of a saint told in her own words. My favorite St Therese of Lisieux quote from the book: "If a little flower could speak, it seems to me that it would tell us quite simply all that God has done for it, without hiding any of its gifts." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you want to do great work or simple work? Do you pray? My review of the book The Story of a Soul: I love her outlook. I wish I could find such peace in little things. I hope to have her faith. ****** ********************************* 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 ...

A short summary of What's Eating Gilbert Grape: The life and angst of a small town stockboy. My favorite Peter Hedges quote from the book: "Smiles and friendly nods are like fabric softeners for the face." Questions to ponder while reading What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Are you living the life you want to be? How do you cope with depression? My review of the book: I totally got Gilbert. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. A good book to read, even if you saw the movie, and, it's a good movie to see, even if you have read the book. (Johnny Depp and Leonardo Dicaprio do well, but then both are very good actors) ****** ********************************* 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 ...

A short summary of Captain and the Kings: An Irish immigrant's ruthless rise to riches and the costs he paid to capitalism. My Favorite Taylor Caldwell quote from the book: "If the history of every man in this world were known, back to our forefathers, none of us would have any reason for any pride at all." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Have you ever been hungry? What motivates you? My review of Captain and the Kings: A good story about American power and politics of the late 1800s. A thought-provoking book about the costs of capitalism and civil service. A book that makes me wonder who truly holds the reigns in America now. ****** ********************************* 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.everyd...

A short summary of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A blue tale about the poverty and trials of a pack librarian in Eastern Kentucky. My favorite Kim Michele Richardson quote from the book: Those that can't see past a folk's skin color have a hard difference in them. There's a fire in that difference. Questions to ponder while reading the book: How much do books matter? Can you accept the differences of others? My review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A new take on an old hate. The poverty of the area broke my heart. Heart-wrenching, informative, and difficult to put down. ****** ********************************* 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 ...

Dear Henry, St. Bernard of Clairvaux who is known as the "Doctor of the Church" also happens to be the patron saint of my parish and now, with the pandemic, it seemed like a good time to look the good doctor up. It turns out, he wasn't that kind of doctor. St. Bernard of Clairvaux was born about 1090 to a noble family in Fontaine Les Dijon. He was educated very well and particularly excelled in literature and poetry.  He was also extraordinarily influenced by the faith of his mother and at the age of 19, shortly after her death, he applied for entrance to the Cisterian order. When he was 22 and in prayer, he felt God calling him to the Citeaux Abbey, and after sharing his testimony, compelled 30 of his friends and brothers to join him.  Three years later he would be assigned abbot of a new monastery being founded in an adjacent valley called Clairvaux. St Bernard was often called upon for his counsel and for his skill as an arbitrator.  He attended the Council o...

A short summary of The Bastard: How an illegitimate French heir of an English duke became an American patriot. Favorite John Jakes quote from the book: Reading is the means by which the lowest man can lift himself from a state of ignorance. Questions to ponder while reading The Bastard: Would you have pressed your case? Can you walk away from money? My review of the book: There was a lot of action. There was a lot of intrigues. There were a lot of unlikeable characters. Still, though, I liked the book. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of Radium Girls: All about the Radium Dial Painters, the devastating consequences of their jobs, and the industrial safety standards created because of them. My favorite Kate Moore quote from the book: "Radium had been known to be harmful since 1901. Every death since was unnecessary." Questions to ponder while reading Radium Girls: How much responsibility does a company have toward its workers? When should the government step in? My review of the book: The story is tragic. I am saddened by how many organizations failed these women. Engrossing stories and solid research. I wonder if something like this could happen 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 biograph...

A short summary of the book The Man in The Brown Suit: Finding a killer Colonel after the death of the dancer. My favorite Agatha Christie quote from the book: "But there are many fools in the world.  One praises God for their existence and keeps out of their way" Questions to ponder while reading: Are there any smells you just can't stand? Do you mind your own business? My review of The Man in the Brown Suit: I always love a lighthearted mystery. Agatha Christie is a master. Beddingfield is good, but Poirot is still my favorite. ****** ********************************* 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...