Rite of Fancy

  A short summary of A Crown of Swords: A wounded dragon wins, more Aes Sedai start swearing, and the Windfinders call for rain. My favorite Robert Jordan quote from the book: "The weak must be bold cautiously." Questions to ponder while reading: Can you work with people you don't like? Do you ever leave someone behind? My review of the book: Book 7 of 14!  Still chugging. I felt pretty bad for Mat, actually. One day, her hair is going to fall out. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 and  webshop  or buying ...

  A short summary of Ninth House: A college student's second chance leads to a supernatural scandal. My favorite Leigh Bardugo quote from the book: "We all have spaces we keep blank." Questions to ponder while reading: Does wealth hide crime? Can poverty make someone disappear? My reviews: A fun little magic murder mystery. Great mood and aura. *Note* There are some scenes with abuse. Reader discretion is advised. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com/ #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my...

  A short summary of Brideshead Revisited: A captain laments his loves and losses among the ruins of war. My favorite Evelyn Waugh quote from the book: "To know and love one other human being is the root of all wisdom." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you fit in? Are you prone to depression? My review: A touching nostalgic look at England's past. Descriptive and evocative. I disapprove of some of Charlie's choices. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com/ #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponso...

  A short summary of A Brief History of Earth: A biography of our home planet. My favorite Andrew H. Knoll quote from the book: 'The face you see in the mirror may be decades old, but it is made of elements formed billions of years ago in ancient stars." Questions to ponder while reading: Did you realize how old the earth really was? Did you realize how diverse the earth really is? My review: An easy-to-understand study of life on earth. A great summary of earth sciences. A perfect foray into popular science. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com...

  A short summary of This is My Body: Bishop Barron explains the theology of the Eucharist. My favorite Bishop Barron quote from the book: "The glory of God is a human being fully alive." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you believe in the real presence? Is your faith important to you? My review: A deep dive into the meaning of the Eucharist. Great theological arguments. Great biblical backup. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com/ #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , ...

  A short summary of Lord Of Chaos: The dark one is getting warmer, the Black Tower grows, and Aes Sedai behave badly, on both sides. My favorite Robert Jordan quote from the book: "Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today." Questions to ponder while reading: Is it ever smart to trust an enemy? Are there good enough reasons to betray your values? My review: Book 6 of 14!  This is becoming a grind! More twists than a maze. I should think people who are so old would behave better. Did you know Robert Jordan was in the US Army?  Read his #EverydayPatriot biography here: https://www.everydaypatriot.com/2023/12/a-soldiers-story-sergeant-james-oliver.html **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 ...

A short summary of A Psalm for the Wild Built: A monk and a robot search the wild places for the meaning of life. My favorite Becky Chambers quote from the book: "We're all just trying to be comfortable, and well-fed, and unafraid."   Questions to ponder while reading: Do you know what you really want in life? Do you like tea? My review: A sweet and cozy sci-fi adventure. Very touching and tender. A lovely wandering through the heart of human desires. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 ...

  A short summary of God's Not Dead: The evidence of God's existence in everyday things. My favorite quote from the book: "Atheism and naturalism can't account for reason. To say that reason came into being for no reason is unreasonable." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you feel lost? Do you think science proves or contradicts divinity? My review of the book: Some good points! Some good research! Some good glimpses of God! **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 coff...

A short summary of The Diary of a Country Priest: A country parish helps a priest's journey toward humility. My favorite Georges Bernanos quote from the book: "The wish to pray is a prayer in itself."  Questions to ponder while reading: Do your expectations meet reality? Are you awkward? My review of the book: Touching story about the challenges of service. I felt so much sympathy for the priest. I wonder if I could have continued with such grace. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 buyi...

  A short summary of The Checklist Manifesto: How to "checklist" a complete world. My favorite Atul Gawande quote from the book: "Man is fallible, but maybe men are less so." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you follow a routine? Do you make mistakes? My review: A wonderful little book about the importance of following a plan. Lots of real-world examples. Lots of ideas for different industries. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: What the "dark ages" were really like. My favorite Ian Mortimer quote from the book: "Justice is a relative concept in all ages." Questions to ponder while reading: Are you a germaphobe? How responsible were you at 12? My review of the book: A fun look into medieval England. Detailed and well-researched. Best read in small chunks. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 Quantum Radio: A mysterious message from the multiverse stumps scientists at CERN. My favorite A.G. Riddle quote from the book: "Every person exists within confines of some kind. Only some realize it." Questions to ponder while reading: Should there be limits to science? Are you kind? My review of the book: Interesting ideas about the multiverse. I love how kindness is emphasized as important. Disappointed in the ending. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 short summary of The Fires of Heaven: The Car'acarn confronts Couladin, and a Forsaken gets Forkrooted. My favorite Robert Jordan Quote from the book: "Take what you can have. Rejoice in what you can save, and do not mourn your losses too long." Questions to ponder while reading: Have you ever thought about running away and joining the circus? When do you think someone's hair would fall out? My review of the book: Book 5 of 14! Wow, this is a commitment! I didn't think it would go there. Can't wait until the next book. Did you know Robert Jordan was in the US Army?  Read his #EverydayPatriot biography here: https://www.everydaypatriot.com/2023/12/a-soldiers-story-sergeant-james-oliver.html **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 U...

  A short summary of Jesus Revolution: The mass revival that challenged the Free Love Movement. My favorite Greg Laurie quote from the book: "Chaos and desperation are far more likely to lead to revival than comfort and complacency." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you believe in God? Are you religious? My review: A good look into the "counter-culture" of the hippie counter-culture. Interesting and fun to read. I love the bridge built between the two groups. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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  web...

  A short summary of What Happened To You: Why you do the self-destructive things you do. My favorite Bruce D. Perry PHD quote from the book: "Rhythm is essential to a healthy body and a healthy mind." Questions to ponder while reading: How was your childhood? Do you struggle with your past? My thoughts about the book: A good paradigm changer. Well-researched with great real-life examples. Staggering statistics on childhood trauma. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 c...

  A short summary of The Shadow Rising: Ta'veren descend upon the Aiel Waste. My favorite Robert Jordan Quote from the book: "Do not trouble trouble until trouble troubles you." Questions to ponder while reading: How much discipline do you accept? Can you learn from an enemy? My review: Book 4 of 14! Interesting cross-world twist and turn. Lots more legends and world buildings. Did you know Robert Jordan was in the US Army?  Read his #EverydayPatriot biography here: https://www.everydaypatriot.com/2023/12/a-soldiers-story-sergeant-james-oliver.html **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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 #TaketheBackR...

  A short summary of The Manual: The essential teachings of Epictetus. My favorite Epictetus quote from the book: "What, then, is your own? The way you live your life." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you depend on others? Can you mind your own business? My review: The foundational teachings of stoicism. Practical and easy to follow. A favorite place to look for knowledge. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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!