Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations & Reviews

A short summary of the book The Plum Tree: A German woman survives the Nazis after losing everything she loves. My favorite Ellen Marie Wiseman quote from the book: " War makes perpetrators of some, criminals of others, and victims of everyone." Questions to ponder while reading The Plum Tree: What would you do for someone you love? How much would you risk under a regime? My thoughts about The Plum Tree: Engrossing tale. Good flow. Engaging plot. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of the book The Good Years: Events from America's Gilded Age. My favorite Walter Lord quote from the book: "These years were good because, whatever the trouble, people were sure they could fix it." Questions to ponder while reading The Good Years: Do we (as Americans) still have that attitude? What have we (as Americans) lost? My thoughts about The Good Years: An oldy but goodie. Entertaining read. Don't let the size scare you. ****** ********************************* 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 ...

A short summary of the book Alexander Hamilton: The life and times of Alexander Hamilton. My favorite Alexander Hamilton quote from the book: "Perseverance in almost any plan is better than fickleness and fluctuation." Questions to ponder while reading Alexander Hamilton: Did you realize the Founding Fathers were human? How do you feel about Thomas Jefferson? My thoughts about Alexander Hamilton. I love U.S. history. Alexander Hamilton makes such a great character. I am glad this became a musical. ****** ********************************* 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 supp...

A short summary of The Gift of Rain: Phillip's WWII challenges in Penang. My favorite Tan Twan Eng quote from the book: "To have memories, happy or sorrowful is a blessing, for it shows we have lived our lives without reservation." Questions to ponder while reading The Gift of Rain: What choices would you have made? Could you have avoided becoming bitter? My thoughts about The Gift of Rain: WWII was a really, REALLY crappy point in time. Who knows how they would behave? Can you love your enemy? ****** ********************************* 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 supporti...

A short summary of Lord of the Flies: The destruction of civilization and childhood on a deserted island. My favorite William Golding quote from the book: "The greatest ideas are the simplest." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Is it human nature to compete? Are we really just animals? My review of the Lord of the Flies: Rite of passage. Teenagers are scary. It is our civility that keeps us human. ****** ********************************* 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 coff...

A short summary of Around the World in 80 Days: Fogg's whirlwind world tour. My favorite Jules Verne quote from the book: "Anything one man can imagine, another man can make real." Questions to ponder while reading Around the World in 80 Days: Do you like to travel? What have you done on a bet? My thoughts about Around the World in 80 Days: It was ridiculous! I loved it! It's a good thing I am not a gambler. I love that this has become a challenge. ****** ********************************* 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  websh...

A short summary of the book Ethan Frome: Ethan's tragic love triangle. My favorite Edith Wharton quote from the book: “I had the sense that the deeper meaning of the story was in the gaps.” Questions to ponder while reading Ethan Frome: What do you regret doing? Are you happily married? My thoughts about Ethan Frome: My sympathies are with Ethan. A complete tragedy. Life isn't fair, not 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 page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of Cold Comfort Farm: Flora goes to the country, chaos ensues. My favorite Stell Gibbons quote from the book: "Nothing will happen to you, if only you use your intelligence and see that it doesn’t" Questions to ponder while reading Cold Comfort Farm: Can you find the bright side? Can you find a bathtub? My thoughts about Cold Comfort Farm: A feel-good and fun read. Great for motivation. I wanted to grow up and be Flora. ****** ********************************* 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 Sunset Park: Guilt, immaturity, and self-exile. My favorite Paul Auster quote from the book: "Wounds are an essential part of life, and until you are wounded in some way, you cannot become a man." Questions to ponder while reading Sunset Park: What have you done because you felt guilty? Should Miles have sought some help? My thoughts about Sunset Park: I got frustrated with Miles. Squatting seems counterproductive. Losing one's temper often goes badly. ****** ********************************* 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 s...

A short summary of Things Fall Apart: The rise and fall of Okonkwo. My favorite Chinua Achebe quote from the book: "There is no story that is not true." Questions to ponder while reading Things Fall Apart: What have you done because you were afraid? What do you consider failure? My review of Things Fall Apart: I didn't have much sympathy for Okonkwo. I don't like the results of colonization. Women have had a hard time in every culture. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of This Republic of Suffering: The butcher's bill of the Civil War, dying a good death, and creation of the military funeral. My favorite Drew Gilpin Faust quote from the book: "Look to the past to help create the future" Questions to ponder while reading This Republic of Suffering: How do you feel about the Civil War? Do we honor the dead better now? My review of This Republic of Suffering: Everyone who died was once someone. Interesting view of our nation's past. We have an obligation to honor our soldier's deaths. Honoring the US Military dead is a personal project of mine - please see www.everydaypatriot.com for further details. ****** ********************************* 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 biograph...

A short summary of The Painted Veil: The callousness of Kitty and her tragic marriage. My favorite quote from the book: " If it is necessary sometimes to lie to others, it is always despicable to lie to oneself." Questions to ponder while reading The Painted Veil: Would you have married Kitty? Could you have forgiven Kitty? My review of The Painted Veil: Charlie was such a snake. Kitty was selfish and drove me crazy. Walter broke my heart. ****** ********************************* 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 ...

A short summary of the book The Talented Mr. Ripley: The talent of misappropriation and murder. My favorite Patricia Highsmith quote from the book: "If you wanted to be cheerful, or melancholic, or wistful, or thoughtful, or courteous, you simply had to act those things with every gesture." Questions to ponder while reading The Talented Mr. Ripley: What is wrong with Tom? Wouldn't you have been suspicious? My thoughts about The Talented Mr. Ripley: Some people are too trusting. Some people are too odd. Some people are too lucky. ****** ********************************* 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 L...

A short summary of What Hath God Wrought: The U.S. Antebellum. My favorite quote from the book: "History works on a long time scale, and at any given moment we can perceive its directions but imperfectly." Questions to ponder while reading What Hath God Wrought: How do you feel about state's rights? Was this the history you learned? My review of What Hath God Wrought: I now *LOATHE* the Polk presidency. Bigotry has cost our nation so much. There are (at least) two sides to any history. ****** ********************************* 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 wor...

A summary of Auguries of Innocence: New poems by Patti. My favorite Patti Smith quote from the book: "Negotiating a wilderness we have yet to know this is where time stops and we have none to go." Questions to ponder while reading Auguries of Innocence: Is your life poetic? Do poets, like wine, get better with age? My review of the book: I am a big fan of Patti's An eclectic mix Many perspectives Can't get enough of Patti? I also recommend her memoir  M Train ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of the book Winter Journal: All about Paul's 63 Winter season. My favorite Paul Auster quote from the book: "Speak before it is too late, and then hope to go on speaking until there is nothing more to be said." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Have you ever self-reflected about the course of your life? What do you regret? My review of  Winter Journal: I, too, struggle with demons. I, too, wish some things were different. I, too, have wanted to throw something at a cabbie. ****** ********************************* 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 supp...

A short summary of What's Bred in the Bone: The secrets of Francis Cornish. My favorite Robertson Davies quote from the book: “The art of the quoter is to know when to stop.” Questions to ponder while reading What's Bred in the Bone: Do you know your family's secrets? What family drama has shaped your character? My thoughts on What's Bred in the Bone: Despite being #2 in a trilogy, the book stands alone. Good view of human character. All sorts of familial wisdom. ****** ********************************* 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...