Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book Bridge to Terabithia: Finding refuge in the mystical Terabithia.


Questions to ponder while reading Bridge to Terabithia: Could you have befriended Janice?
Would you have felt guilty?

My thoughts about Bridge to Terabithia: Childhood memories all over again.
Have you ever looked for Terabithia?
*Challenged Book* Everyone needs to read it!

A short summary of the book The Mists of Avalon: The story of King Arthur, as told by the women around him.


Questions to ponder while reading The Mists of Avalon: Do you believe your thoughts create your reality?
Should any diety require so much?
My thoughts about The Mists of Avalon: Eternally re-readable.
A great view of King Arthur.
Good intentions often go so badly.

A short summary of the book The Sixth Extinction: Where did the frogs go?


Questions to ponder while reading The Sixth Extinction: Seriously, where did the frogs go?
Did you realize how much impact you had?
My thoughts about The Sixth Extinction: I wonder....can we stop it?
I wonder.....why aren't we more focused on this?
I wonder.....what will I miss the most?

A short summary of  the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: An underwater adventure aboard the Nautilus.

Questions to ponder while reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:
What do you suppose happened to Captain Nemo?
How was Conseil so calm?
My thoughts about 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:
I see the allure of the Nautilus.
I would love to see that ocean.
Great steampunk fun.

A short summary of the book Wicked: The tragedy of Elphaba.

Questions to ponder while reading Wicked: What did you think of Oscar?
What would you do for a pair of shoes?

My thoughts about Wicked: Great twist on an old story.
I am now on team Elphaba.
Oppression is always ugly.

A short summary of the books The Girl who Played with Fire trilogy: Solving mysteries with the Blomkvist and Salander team.

Questions to ponder while reading The Girl who Played with Fire trilogy:
Did the level of espionage surprise you?
Is Sweden really that dark?
My thoughts about The Girl who Played with Fire trilogy: I had a complete paradigm shift of Sweden.
Misogynists suck.
Great fun in a trilogy.

At long last, an approved  "Rite of Fancy" reading list - Enjoy!
1. White Rose, Black Forest by Eoin Dempsey
2. Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy
3. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.
4. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
5. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

A short summary of The Shining: Mom?  Dad is crazy and the hotel is haunted.

Questions to ponder while reading The Shining: How much does it take to traumatize a child for life?
How much baggage do you collect before filing for divorce?
My thoughts about The Shining: Scary, creepy, fun.
Make sure you finish Daniel's Saga.
Stop by The Stanley during a Rocky Mountain Park Road Trip.

A short summary of the book The Color Purple: The tragedy of Miss Celie.

Questions to ponder while reading The Color Purple: Is God inside you?
Can you truly curse someone?
My thoughts about The Color Purple:
Celie is one of my heroes.
The power dynamics of that time made me sick.
A must-read for everyone

A short summary of the book Never Fall Down: A child's survival of the Khmer Rouge.

Questions to ponder while reading Never Fall Down:
Where do these governments come from?
Why would anyone use a child to fight?

My thoughts about Never Fall Down: This story will haunt me forever.
I can't believe anyone survived.
That Arn Chorn-Pond found any hope is amazing.

A short summary of the book The Jungle Book: The collected stories of the forest.

Questions to ponder while reading The Jungle Book: Was Bagheera a little harsh?
Don't you want a mongoose?
My thoughts about The Jungle Book: Good morals.
Childhood favorite.
Rikki Tikki Tavi for the win.

A short summary of the book The Invisible Man: An experiment in invisibility.

Questions to ponder while reading The Invisible Man: Would you have drunk it?
Would a pleasant manner have helped the situation?
My thoughts about The Invisible Man: No one can live in complete isolation.
It helps to fully think things through.
Griffin was an asshole.

A short summary of the book White Oleander: An artist in foster care.

Questions to ponder while reading White Oleander:
What was your mother like?
Why can't we do something about foster care?
My thoughts about White Oleander: Selfish mothers are hard to live with.
We are failing our children.
Art can heal a lot.

A short summary of the book The Time Machine: What does the future of humanity hold?

Questions to ponder while reading The Time Machine:
Is this perhaps plausible?
Would you eat the meat?
My thoughts about The Time Machine:
At some point, humans will change.
Life needs to stay challenging.
Much better than Bill & Ted's.

A short summary of the book Pet Sematary: What is put in the ground doesn't always stay in the ground.


Questions to ponder while reading Pet Sematary: Is any life better than death?
When do you decide to put up a fence?
My thoughts about Pet Sematary:
Scared me to death.
Put me down for cremation.
I have seen the inspiration at the Stanley Hotel (the whole place is haunted)

A short summary of the book As a Man Thinketh: Proverbs, Chapter 23, Verse 7.

Questions to ponder while reading As a Man Thinketh: Where do your thoughts lie?
Do you believe thoughts control your physical well-being?
My thoughts about As a Man Thinketh: Timeless Philosophy.
I am responsible for me.
I will be thinking great thoughts.

A short summary of the book Carrie: Don't taunt the telekinetic.

Questions to ponder while reading Carrie: Should a religion ever be that scary?
Why are teenagers so mean?
My thoughts about Carrie: I will always feel bad for Carrie.
The bullying crap really needs to stop.
Pigs blood?  Really?

A short summary of the book The Casual Vacancy: There is an open seat on the Pagford Parish Council.

Questions to ponder while reading The Casual Vacancy: Does anyone have a happy home life?
Does everyone have so many skeletons?
My thoughts about The Casual Vacancy: A J.K. for big kids.
Elections are such a mess.
I LOATHED Samantha.

A short summary of the book The Swiss Family Robinson: The tale of a family, shipwrecked on a lonely paradise.

Questions to ponder while reading The Swiss Family Robinson: Would you find this heaven or hell?
Would you have stayed on the island?
My thoughts about The Swiss Family Robinson:
A nostalgic trip through childhood reading.
I want to live on a well-stocked deserted island.
I was surprised by how many people hated the book.

A short summary of Watership Down: The Odyssey of the hares.

Questions to ponder while reading Watership Down: Did you cry at the end?
Which Warren would you live in?

My thoughts about Watership Down: Much deeper than I imagined.
The cartoon gave me nightmares.
Long live Bigwig.

A short summary of the book Out of Africa: Trying to grow coffee in Kenya.




Questions to ponder while reading Out of Africa: Don't you wish you got to do something amazing like this?
The Baron was kind of dumb, wasn't he?
My thoughts about Out of Africa: I wish to visit Karen's Kenya.
I would have killed the Baron.
I would have hated to leave my home.

A short summary of the play A Doll's House: Nora can't be your doll any longer.

Questions to ponder while reading A Doll's House: Who is the boss of you?
Macaroons are good, aren't they?
My thoughts about A Doll's House: I am so glad to be my own person.
Debt is never a good idea.
Equality is the only way a marriage will work.

A short summary of the book Kitchen Confidential: What happens in the kitchen, stays in the kitchen.

Questions to ponder while reading Kitchen Confidential: Does food poisoning scare you?
How much do you like garlic?

My thoughts about Kitchen Confidential: Have I ever mentioned how much I like food?
I like the simple ingredient rule.
Anthony is a bit harsh on the vegetarians.....

A short summary of  the book Agnes Grey: The life and times of the English governess.


Questions to ponder while reading:
Are all parents blind?
Why would anyone want to be a governess?
My thoughts about Agnes Grey: Another lazy day read.
Nostalgia!
I think governess is the worst position in the world.

A short summary of the book My Life in France: Julia's tales of cooking it up in France - with a lot of butter.

Questions to ponder while reading My Life in France: Does Julia Child make you feel lazy?
Did you have any idea that mayonnaise was so complex?
My thoughts about My Life in France: I love food!
I love Julia's passion!
I love butter!

A short summary of the book Laugh and Live: Finding PEP with Fairbanks.

Questions to ponder while reading Laugh and Live: Can someone have too much PEP?
Is all common sense so hard to follow?
My thoughts about Laugh and Live: Timeless wisdom.
More than a pretty face.
Veteran of WWI

A short summary of the book The Hunt for Red October: Nuclear weapons under water.

Questions to ponder while reading The Hunt for Red October: Why do we allow fear to destroy rationality?
After a certain level, does it make sense to continue to improve technology?
My thoughts about The Hunt for Red October:
AH!  Cold War Thrills
Another piece of fun in a book.
Bart Mancuso was a crush, Scott Glenn did a great job.

A short summary of the book Angels and Demons: Ambigram-ing for the Illuminati is a cardinal sin.

Questions to ponder while reading Angels and Demons: How has anti-matter not blown everything up yet?
Have you ever wanted to see the Vatican library?

My thoughts about Angels and Demons:
I want to go to Rome and the Vatican.
I *love* conspiracy theories and Catholic lore.
Great fun in a book.

A short summary of the book The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: This is why your mother is crazy and drinks so much......

Questions to ponder while reading The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood:
How pissed would you be?
How crazy was your mother?
My thoughts about The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood:
I want to think "pretty blue and pink thoughts".
That was an impressive amount of alcohol.
I envy their friendship.

A short summary of the book The Bluest Eye: Pecola's Tragedies.


Questions to ponder while reading The Bluest Eye: Where do you suppose Cholly ended up?
Why is beauty racist?
My thoughts about The Bluest Eye: Pecola broke my heart.
Pretty is as pretty does.
***Challenged Book!  Everyone rebel and read it!***

A short summary of the book The Art of War: How to win a fight, if you must fight.

Questions to ponder while reading The Art of War: Is peace the best way to win a war?
Can anyone benefit from war tactics?
My thoughts on The Art of War: Applicable to more than just conflict.
Keep things to yourself.
The best fight doesn't happen.

A short summary of the book Bushido: The philosophy of feudal Japan.
Questions to ponder while reading Bushido: Have you ever wondered what drove the Samurai?
Does dated wisdom become less applicable?
My thoughts about Bushido: I have seen what the Samurai wear it looks uncomfortable.
They had impressive stoicism.
I admire discipline (even though I don't have much).

A short summary of the book North of Boston: Robert's perspective of Derry, New Hampshire.

Questions to ponder while reading North of Boston: Which one was your favorite?
Did Winter ever seem so lovely?
My thoughts about North of Boston: Good Hours was my favorite.
Frost is the giant of poetry.
Good wordplay.

A short summary of the book Love Songs: The love poems of Sara Teasdale.
Questions to ponder while reading Love Songs: Which one was your favorite?
Can love poetry be too passionate?
My thoughts about Love Songs: Spirit's House is my favorite (at least for today).
Poems with wide-ranging influence.
Completely quotable.

A short summary of the book A Tale of Two Cities: London and Paris during the French Revolution.


Questions to ponder while reading A Tale of Two Cities: Under what conditions would you give up your life?
Can a revolution go too far?
My thoughts about A Tale of Two Cities:
Guilt compels a lot of actions.
The Reign of Terror was an awful period of time.
Embrace your life.

A short summary of  the book The Three Musketeers: The tales of d'Artagnan.

Questions to ponder while reading The Three Musketeers: How many duels in a day is too many?
Why was war so fashionable?
My thoughts about The Three Musketeers: Did you know d'Artagnan was based upon Alexandre's dad?.
I think I am more of a Porthos girl.
Do all governments scheme so much?

A short summary of the book The Haunting of Hill House: Am I crazy or is this house haunted?

Questions to ponder while reading The Haunting of Hill House: Do you believe in ghosts?
Was Eleanor crazy?
My thoughts about The Haunting of Hill House: Anyone for a social experiment?
I loved the ambiguity.
A favorite scary story.

A short summary of the book On the Road: Jack's cross country road trip.
Questions to ponder while reading On the Road. Do you prefer the journey or the destination?
How do you handle unrequited love?
My thoughts about On the Road. The tales of the ultimate road trips.
Definition of a generation.
I may try the journey.......

A short summary of  the book The Moonstone: I know who took the diamond, I think.

Questions to ponder while reading The Moonstone: Are you confused yet?
Don't you love a happy ending?
My thoughts about The Moonstone: Wilkie writes with A LOT of detail.
Great mystery.
Do all diamonds have a curse?

Watching the storm roll in.
Clouds, clouds, and more clouds.  The oppressive air of the thunderstorm

A short summary of the book Amores: The love poems of D.H. Lawrence.


Questions to ponder while reading Amores:
How many times did you blush?
Did you know the past was so risque?
My thoughts about Amores:  I like his poems better than his novels.
Infinitely quotable.
Love is beautiful.

Out on the porch, enjoying the weather.
Baby, it's warm outside. Yellow and purple dominate.