Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book 600 Hours of Edward: The journal of an autistic man. My favorite Craig Lancaster quote from the book: "I prefer facts but sometimes sense is all you have to go on."  Questions I pondered while reading 600 Hours of Edward: What hurtful things have I done in the name of love? Is there such a thing as a "normal" relationship? My review of 600 Hours of Edward: Edward is engaging. Hooray for inner-dialog. I totally agree with Ed's Brook/Gains arguments and I don't think Edward went too far at all. ****** ********************************* 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 Consider the Fork: Why the fork we have table manners. My favorite Bee Wilson quote from the book: "The subtext of all table manners is the fear that the man next to you may pull his knife on you."  Questions I pondered while reading Consider the Fork: Knife or knife-less? Was everyone just nicer to each other back then? My review of Consider the Fork: I love food! I love history! I would have starved prior if born prior to 1950. ****** ********************************* 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 the book The Robe: A tribunal's view of the crucifixion of Christ, and its aftermath. My favorite Lloyd C. Douglas quote from the book: "Making peace is always more difficult than making war." Questions I pondered while reading The Robe: What has crippled me with guilt? Can you find peace through atonement? My review of The Robe: A good journey with a good lesson. Religion should be a verb, not a noun. Perhaps we could all follow the examples. ****** ********************************* 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 spo...

A short summary of the book How to Behave and Why: Etiquette basics for everyone, from the maker of Ferdinand the Bull. My favorite Munro Leaf quote from the book: "Of course, you can argue with people who know better than you, but it's stupid." Questions I pondered while reading How to Behave and Why: How important is etiquette? How much does personal behavior affect a community? My thoughts about How to Behave and Why: My most favorite etiquette book ever. The basics for all types of kids. A must-have for all households. ****** ********************************* 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 pa...

 Dear Henry, Have you ever heard of the painter Frida Kahlo? Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who lived most of her life outside Mexico City; she was known for her self-portraits and the content's unreality. Her art was so striking because she painted her pain. In 1925 she was nearly killed after an accident between a bus and a trolley. The impact broke several vertebrae, her collar bone, some ribs, and her pelvis, which shattered her right leg and right foot. She also dislocated her right shoulder and was pierced through her abdomen by one of the bus's handrails. She would endure painful medical treatment for the remainder of her life, having as many as 35 surgeries, and ultimately would require the amputation of her right leg below the knee. Of course, I didn't know any of that in the beginning. The first time I heard of Frida Kahlo was when I came across a photograph of the painting La Columna Rota (The Broken Column), and it spoke to me. This was shortly...

Short Summary of the book Fahrenheit 451 : Television is good, but books are flammable.   My favorite Ray Bradbury quote from the book: "Stuff your eyes with wonder." Questions to ponder while reading Fahrenheit 451: Is book burning ever ok?  Does society have to be made stupid to conform? My review of the book : Television was in its infancy when it was written, and people relied more on written media for information; there was also more dialogue between people. Fast forward sixty years into the future, and you can see people absorbed in a digital world. Opinions are no longer formed through careful consideration after reading, discussion, and careful consideration but through a knee-jerk reaction to a headline. While I have nothing against mind-numbing entertainment, there is a danger in consistently allowing someone else to choose what entertains you. Despite the book burning metaphor, I have never felt this book w...

A short summary of the book Moby Dick: Ahab's tale of failed revenge done Salty. (It's a whale of a tale) My favorite Herman Melville quote from the book: "Ignorance is the parent of fear." Questions I pondered while reading: It is possible to completely know something? Why are people surprised when exploited beings become violent? My review of the book Moby Dick: A loquaciously beautiful story. Book Nerd badge of honor. 135 chapters felt like a great accomplishment. ****** ********************************* 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...