Rite of Fancy

  A short summary of Reading the Old Testament: A guide to reading history's most popular (and influential) book. My favorite Lawrence Boadt quote from the book: "Nobody thinks or writes without being part of a culture that has its own ideas and ways of doing things." Questions to ponder while reading Lawrence Boadt's Reading The Old Testament: How do you view the Old Testament? Have you ever read the entire thing? My review of Reading the Old Testament: A guide into the intricacies of the Old Testament. Well-researched and thoroughly cross-referenced. An engaging read, although it's far from a casual read. **************************************** 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 foun...

  A short summary of The Death of Adam: Marilynne's thoughts about American culture. My favorite Marilynne Robinson quote from the book: "The antidote to fear, distrust, or self-interest is always loyalty." Questions to ponder while reading Marilynne Robinson's The Death of Adam: Do you have faith? Do you know your history? My review of the book The Death of Adam: A great philosophical look into the foundations of American culture. Well-researched and logically thought out. Not a casual read - keep your Oxford's nearby. **************************************** 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 Walking With Mary: A look into the life of Mary, the Mother of God. My favorite Edward Sri quote from the book: "Only when we are convinced, like Mary was, of how little we can do on our own and how utterly dependent we are on God can the Lord being to act in magnificent ways in and through us." Questions to ponder while reading Edward Sri's Walking With Mary: Have you ever wondered what Mary's life was like? Do you think you could emulate her faith? My review of the book Walking With Mary: A great look at the biblical information about Mary. Rich in cultural details. A must-read for anyone interested in Marian studies. **************************************** 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 onli...

  A short summary of The Heart of Buddha's Teaching: A deep dive into the Path of Compassion. My favorite Thich Nhat Hanh quote from the book: "Volition is the ground of all our actions." Questions to ponder while reading Thich Nhat Hahn's The Heart of Buddha's Teachings: Do you suffer? Are you happy? My review of the book The Heart of Buddha's Teachings: A comprehensive look into the Buddha's teachings. A detailed explanation of concepts. Surprisingly readable and full of love. **************************************** 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 Queen's Gambit: The problems and passions of a precocious chess prodigy. My favorite Walter Tevis quote from the book: "Maybe is a loser's word." Questions to ponder while reading Walter Tevis's The Queen's Gambit: Can you develop a strategy? Do you like to win? My review of the book The Queen's Gambit: A "Thrilling" surprise. An engaging read. I had no idea chess was so interesting..... **************************************** 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 Constance: The mysterious murder of a musician, for science. My favorite Matthew Fitzsimmons quote from the book: "If you don't know the game, what makes you think you're one of the players?  Doesn't that make you one of the pieces?" Questions to ponder while reading Matthew Fitzimmon's Constance: How do you define murder? How do you define immortality? My review of the book Constance: A strange, mind-bending tale. Shocking medical/science morals. I vote no on cloning. I think it's still murder. **************************************** 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 con...

  A short summary of Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All: A tale of two orphans, a tale of two ghosts. My favorite Laura Ruby quote from the book: "Hell is never what you think it's going to be." Questions to ponder while reading Laura Ruby's Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All: Have you ever been disappointed in a parent? Do you like Italian food? My review of the book Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All: A strange but compelling story. Tangled but engaging. Tragic but fierce. **************************************** 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 visitin...

A short summary of 12 Rules of Life: A conservative psychologist's guidelines for effective living. My favorite Jordan Peterson quote from the book: "If you will not reveal yourself to others, you cannot reveal yourself to yourself." Questions to ponder while reading Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules of Life: Do you believe in the power of posture? What do you think about Elmo? My review of the book 12 Rules of Life: A good set of guidelines for life. Well-researched and supportive. An advocate for a conservative lifestyle. Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations and Reviews  are written by a.d. elliott - Take the Back Roads #TaketheBackRoads  www.takethebackroads.com Photography Gallery:  shop.takethebackroads.com

  A short summary of The Golden Sayings of Epictetus: The stoic philosophy of Epictetus. My favorite Epictetus quote from the book: "If you choose, you are free; if you choose, you need blame no man - accuse no man." Questions to ponder while reading The Golden Sayings of Epictetus: Do you value your reason? Do you fear pain? My review of the book The Golden Sayings of Epictetus: Stoic wisdom at its finest. A favorite philosopher. A book to re-read often. **************************************** 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 b...

  A short summary of The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights: Re-writing the ultimate and ancient heroic tale. My favorite John Steinbeck quote from the book: "Greatness lives in one who triumphs equally over defeat and victory." Questions to ponder while reading John Steinbeck's The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights: What is honor? What would you fight for? My review of the book The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights: A good re-telling of the King Arthur tale. Follows the Mallory storyline. Infinitely quotable. **************************************** 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 ...

  A short summary of Beyond Good and Evil: Friedrich's philosophy of morality and willpower. My favorite Friedrich Nietzsche quote from the book: "And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." Questions to ponder while reading Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil: Do you create your life? Is good more than a word? My review of the book Beyond Good and Evil: Nietzsche is, well, Nietzsche, but you have to know what he actually said because he is quoted all of the time. Not the easiest read. I disagree with much but I do think that we need to quit following the masses blindly.  Especially when they come quoting Nietzsche. **************************************** 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...

  A short summary of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: The autobiography of Harriet Ann Jacobs, enslaved woman. My favorite Harriet Ann Jacobs quote from the book: "Cruelty is contagious in uncivilized communities." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Is beauty a curse? Could you marry a man like that? My review of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: A heartbreaking read. I can't believe how many people participated in this evil. One of the best books from an enslaved perspective. **************************************** 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 visiti...

  A short summary of Renascence and Other Poems: Edna's poems from her younger days. My favorite Edna St. Vincent Millay quote from the book: "The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Has something completely changed you? Have you ever missed something important? My review of Renascence and Other Poems: I totally get "Sorrow." The "Dream" broke my heart. I hate the cold too. **************************************** 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...

  A short summary of The Witch and Other Stories: The tales of Russian peasants. My favorite Anton Chekhov quote from the book: "And the old man could not answer what he would do with the treasure if he found it." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Are you happy with your place in life? How do you treat your spouse? My review of The Witch and Other Stories: Such deep thoughts in such small bites. Stories full of deep dissatisfaction. Don't abandon your sheep for an abandoned treasure. **************************************** 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 ...

  A short summary of S is for Silence: Kinsey Millhone and the case of the missing Violet (and her Chevy too). My favorite Sue Grafton quote from the book: "He might be a man without character, but she was a woman without courage. Of the two, which was worse?" Questions to ponder while reading S is for Silence: Do you have anything you can't let go of? Do you just fairly? My review of S is for Silence: Great fun in a murder mystery. Easy story to fall into. I would have NEVER thought of looking 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.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by...

  A short summary of Interior Chinatown: The wisdom and growth of Kung Fu Guy. My favorite Charles Yu quote in the book: "But the widest gulf in the world is the distance between getting by and not quite getting by." Questions to ponder while reading Interior Chinatown: What stereotypes do you believe? What makes an American, American? My review of Interior Chinatown: An exploration into the challenges Americans of Asian descent face. Don't we all have similar dreams? The screenplay format could be hard to follow at times. **************************************** 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 s...

  A short summary of Night of the Republic: Poetry in the city. My favorite Alan Shapiro quote from the book: "The bad news was that the sun was mortal too." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How long do you want to live? Are you afraid of the dark? My review of the Night of the Republic: Cityscapes and public places. Full of rich imagery. Everyday places with a new perspective. **************************************** 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!