Rite of Fancy

  A short summary of Greenlights: An actor's vignettes about life. My favorite Matthew McConaughey quote from the book: "But knowing who you are is the base that everything else comes from." Questions to ponder while reading Matthew McConaughey: Have you ever wondered where actors get their acting from? Do you enjoy solitude? My review of Greenlights: Such great and surprising stories. Real and down-to-earth writing. Matthew McConaughey has now joined the list of people I hope to have coffee and discuss philosophy with one day. ****** ********************************* 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 s...

  A short summary of The Weight of Ink: The reading of a historical Rabbi's hidden and mysterious writings. My favorite Rachel Kadish quote from the book: "Don't turn your back just because it terrifies you." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How closely do you adhere to the precepts of your faith? What do you want to be remembered for? My review of The Weight of Ink: An engrossing story of two eras. A dual-period novel that remained easy to follow. I couldn't put it 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 can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and...

  A short summary of Where the Lost Wander: The love and danger one risks finding while traveling the Oregon Trail as a widow. My favorite Amy Harmon quote from the book: "I'm convinced everyone is a little vile, if they are honest about it." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How far would you travel for a dream? What are you willing to risk? My review of Where the Lost Wander: A pioneer-themed bit of historical fiction. Great imagery. A little bit sappy. ****** ********************************* 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  webshop ...

  A short summary of Sugar: A girl finds hope after being weighed down. My favorite Dierdre Riordan Hall quote from the book: "I've always been too much and yet, not enough." Questions to ponder while reading the book: What do you use for comfort? What burdens do you carry? My review of Sugar: A great coming-of-age story. The teenage years are so hard. I related to so much. ****** ********************************* 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  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

  A short summary of The Four Winds: Elsa's labors of love, during the Dust Bowl and the Depression My favorite Kristin Hannah quote from the book: "A warrior believes in an end she can't see and fights for it." My thoughts about the book: Would you leave your home? When would you give up? My review of The Four Winds: A tragic, (but engaging), bit of historical fiction. Well-researched with accurate details. It was almost too overwhelming and sad. ****** ********************************* 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  webshop  or buying me a c...

  A short summary of Crow Hollow: Colonial kidnapping and conspiracies during King Phillips War. My favorite Michael Wallace quote from the book: "It takes great courage to earn a great reward." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Who do you trust? What would you do to find your child? My review of Crow Hollow: Historical brain candy from Colonial America. A fun, lazy day read. Why must everything end romantically? ****** ********************************* 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  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

  A short summary of Lawrence in Arabia: The creation of the Middle East, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. My favorite Scott Anderson quote from the book: "Earlier than most, Lawrence seemed to embrace the modern concept that history was malleable, that truth was what people were willing to believe." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Were you surprised by the lack of oversight? Did you realize there was this much chaos? My review of Lawrence in Arabia: A thorough history of the creation of the Middle East. So many players, so many agendas. A great, easy-to-read history of that time and place. ****** ********************************* 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...

  A short summary of Wild Swans: Ivy's summer before her senior year is ruined by the reemergence of her mother. My favorite Jessica Spotswood quote from the book: "Everybody freaks out at some point. It's how you patch yourself up that matters."  Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you feel restrained by your life? Are you angry with your mother? My review of Wild Swans: A fun coming-of-age read. A terrible mother tragedy. A great read on a lazy Sunday afternoon. ****** ********************************* 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...

  A short summary of Feardom: How we (as a country) allow our politicians and media to control us (as a country) with fear. My favorite Connor Boyack quote from the book: "Fear is only a potent weapon because we allow it to be." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you find the news sensational? Do you believe everything the "news" tells you? My review of Feardom: A look behind the mask of our politicians and media personalities. Well-written and easy to read. It will make you think. ****** ********************************* 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 sp...

  A short summary of The Swerve: How Poggio Bracciolini re-discovered Lucretius work "On The Nature Of Things" My favorite quote from Lucretius: " There is nothing that exists so great or marvelous that over time mankind does not admire it less and less." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How much do you know about the beginning of the Renaissance? Have you ever wondered how much knowledge we lost? My review of The Swerve: A great theory about the catalyst of the Renaissance. Well-researched and logically laid out. Easy to read, despite the complexity of the topic. ****** ********************************* 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 #...

  A short summary of Miramont's Ghost: A fictional account of the history and horrors behind the ghost of Miramont's Castle in Manitou Springs. My favorite Elizabeth Hall quote from the book: "Diplomacy has much more to do with restraint; I think, that with speaking." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Can you stand up for yourself? Are you trapped by circumstances? My review of Miramont's Ghost: A historical mystery/thriller. Easy to engage with. I was a bit frustrated at how it all came out. ****** ********************************* 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 visit...

  A short summary of The Quaker Cafe: Keeping gossiped secrets to keep the peace. My favorite Brenda Bevan Remmes quote from the book: "With friendship comes forgiveness." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Does your family have secrets? Do you struggle with your faith? My review of The Quaker Cafe: A fun, Sunday afternoon read. Southern charming. Gossip is often a hurtful source. ****** ********************************* 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  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

  A short summary of Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander: Merton's musings about current events. My favorite Thomas Merton quote from the book: "We believe, not because we want to know, but because we want to be." Questions to ponder while reading Thomas Merton: Do you think compassion is a weakness? Do you question your beliefs? My review of Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander: A great, philosophical look at the modern world. Lots and lots of wisdom. Still very relevant in today's world. ****** ********************************* 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 an...

  A short summary of The Problem of Pain: Why does God allow us to be hurt? My favorite C.S. Lewis quote from the book: "Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself." Questions to ponder while reading C.S. Lewis: Do you suffer? Are you as kind as you think you are? My review of The Problem With Pain: A philosophical look at pain. A thorough and detailed explanation. Another C.S. Lewis classic. ****** ********************************* 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 v...

  A short summary of A Place Of Healing: The chronic pain of a miraculous survival story. My favorite Joni Erickson Tada quote from the book: "Don’t allow the enemy of your soul to convince you that your tasks today are ho-hum and ordinary, nothing special, nothing extraordinary." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you make light of things that hurt you? Do you think your suffering is God's will? My review of A Place of Healing: A very inspiring book. Admirable faith - admirable strength. A must-read for all chronic pain sufferers ****** ********************************* 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? Pl...

  A short summary of The Body Keeps Score: How trauma affects our bodies and how we can treat it. My favorite Bessel van der Kolk quote from the book: "As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself" Questions to ponder while reading the book: What has scared you? How do you confront your pain? My review of The Body Keeps Score: An in-depth look at the bodily effects of emotional trauma. Recognizes the mind-body link. Easy to read and informative. ****** ********************************* 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...

  A short summary of The Happiness Hypothesis: The common ethical threads that contribute to happiness worldwide. My favorite Jonathan Haidt quote from the book: "One of the most consistent lessons the ancient sages teach us is to let go, stop striving, and choose a new path. Turn inward, or turn toward God, but for God's sake stop trying to make the world conform to your will." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you follow a source of ancient wisdom? Are you happy? My review of The Happiness Hypothesis: One of the best arguments for the interweaving of ethics and happiness. A wide range of philosophies was examined. Some threads were a little hard to follow. ****** ********************************* 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.ev...