Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book The Strange Library: A library trip gets twisted. My favorite Haruki Murakami quote from the book: " Each possesses his own thoughts, each treads his own path.  " Questions I pondered while reading The Strange Library: Was that perhaps a wee bit of an over-attachment? Should I learn to be a little more forceful in my nos? My thoughts about The Strange Library: An interesting twist on how a library acquires knowledge. Clingy parents are hard to deal with. I will be avoiding library basements from now on. ****** ********************************* 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 the book Last Night in Twisted River: An author's experience in bear killing. My favorite John Irving quote from the book: " If you're fortunate enough to discover a way of life that you love, you have to find the courage to live it." Questions I pondered while reading Last Night in Twisted River: Why do we lie to our kids? Why not stand your ground? My thoughts about Last Night in Twisted River: Melodrama at its finest. I kept getting hungry while I read. Ketchum has been added to my favorite characters list. ****** ********************************* 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 ...

A short summary of the book Alice in Wonderland: Alice's journey through a rabbit hole and the land she found there. My favorite Lewis Carroll quote from the book: "If everyone minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does." Questions to ponder while reading: Would I have dared eat the cake? Is croquet playing a useful skill to have? My Review: Love, love, love this story. I want to live in this fantasy. Tarts? Anyone? ****** ********************************* 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 Yellow Star: The story of a child's survival in the Lodz ghetto. My favorite Jennifer Roy quote from the book: "We must honor our differences while we find our own courage and our own strength the best we know how." Questions to ponder while reading: How do we make sure this never, ever happens again? Why is religious persecution *still* so prevalent? My Review: I don't know that I could be that brave. It makes me ill to think of this. Chocolate can improve almost any situation. ****** ********************************* 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 su...

A short summary of the book Tenth of December: Saunder's short studies of humanity. My favorite George Saunders quote from the book: "Thus every human is worthy of love." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Is capitalism really that harsh? Can there be moral exceptions to the rules? My review of the Tenth of December: I'm a big fan of inner dialogue. Little bits can be so satisfying. This fiction is very factual. ****** ********************************* 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 o...

  A short summary of the book We Should all be Feminists: The complete definition of feminism and why feminism is important. My favorite Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie quote from the book: "Culture does not make people. People make culture." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Why is equality such a difficult concept? How do we change our culture? My review of the book We Should all be Feminists: Everyone should read the book. Rights have responsibilities. Ability matters more than gender. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of the book The Doll-Master:      Joyce's thrillingly dark tales. My favorite Joyce Carol Oates quote from the book: "For humankind was the most ravenous and pitiless predator." Questions I pondered while reading The Doll-Master:     Do you ever trust your husband if you were once the "other woman"?     Should you ever take cappuccino from strangers? My Thoughts about The Doll Master:    Creepy ambiguity.    Creepy carriage house.    Creepy frothy coffee drink. ****** ********************************* 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.taketh...

A Short Summary of the book The Art of Happiness: The Buddhist method of achieving lasting happiness, from the words of the Dalai Lama. My favorite Dalai Lama quote from the book: “A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.” Questions I pondered while reading the book: Is happiness internal? Am I being responsible for me? My review of the Art of Happiness: A good place to begin learning peace of mind. I <3 meditation! Be present. Live 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.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please c...

A short summary of The Declaration of Independence: Bye! George! My favorite quote from the document: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..." Questions I pondered after reading The Declaration of Independence: Do we have similar grievances today? How well is our current government holding up to this list? My thoughts on The Declaration of Independence: Independence Day!  The fireworks have begun! The beginning of the US! Be bold like Hancock! ****** ********************************* 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 book War Dances: Alexie's real-world and real-relationship poetry and prose. My favorite quote from the book: "Why do poets think they can change the world? The only life I can save is my own." Questions I pondered while reading War Dances? Am I conflicted about my heritage? Why is ethnic tension still so high? My review of War Dances: A serious subject should always be witty. Was this really fiction? The book has a secure spot on my shelf forever. ****** ********************************* 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 Dear Ijeawele: How to raise a feminist. My favorite quote from the book: "Language is the repository of our prejudices, our beliefs, our assumptions." Questions I pondered while reading Dear Ijeawele: Will true equality really ease resentments? Can feminism and femininity co-exist? My Thoughts about Dear Ijeawele: Good advice for raising little children. Good advice for raising big children. Something for everyone who believes in equality. ****** ********************************* 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 speech Give Me Liberty: Here's my vote for independence, let me explain why. My favorite Patrick Henry quote from the speech: “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.” Questions to ponder while reading: Would I have made the same choice, had I been there? Are there still people like Patrick Henry in the US today? My Review: History! Liberty! Fireworks! ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of the Constitution of the United States: Our contract between us and the government. My favorite line from the document: "We the people" Questions to ponder while reading: Is the Constitution still applicable today? Are we currently abiding by it? My review: Know your government. Know your rights. Know your responsibilities. ****** ********************************* 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 book The Economic Consequences of the Peace: An economic statement about the Treaty of Versailles. My favorite John Maynard Keynes quote from the book: " The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind." Questions to ponder while reading: Did the economic crippling after WWI help? Why do we view war as inevitable?   My Review: Good theory to know. War should not equal profit. The financial destruction of another country is a dangerous situation. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of Stillhouse Lake: So I married a serial killer.......... My favorite Rachel Caine quote from the book: " Never too late or too early for pancakes." Questions I pondered while reading the book: Why is it so easy for people to be cruel, especially on the internet? How do you recover from something like that?   My review of Stillhouse Lake: Engaging and good paced. Stretched believability. Great fun! ****** ********************************* 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 bu...

  A short summary of the book The Last of the Mohicans: The romance of King Philip's war. Love and a Leatherstocking. My favorite James Fenimore Cooper quote from the book: "Is it justice to make evil, then punish for it?" Questions I pondered while reading The Last of the Mohicans: Can you overdo a description? Why is it impossible for nature and religion to co-exist? My review of The Last of the Mohicans: Uncas was a crush. I got lost in the details. I think this could be called a romance. ****** ********************************* 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 sup...

  A short summary about the play Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A frantic New York search for magic creatures and creations. My favorite J.K. Rowling quote from the play: " People are easiest to read when they're hurting." Questions I pondered while reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Who wouldn't love a baker? It's okay to want a suitcase like that right? My Thoughts about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: I love the Rowling world. I want my own bowtruckle. Betrayal after cocoa is bad form. ****** ********************************* 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 m...