Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations & Reviews

A short summary of The Life and Miracles of Saint Margaret of Cortona: The title says it all. My favorite Saint Margaret of Cortona quote from the book: "Whoever tries to gather virtues without first gathering humility will only scatter dust in the wind." Questions to ponder while reading The Life and Miracles of Saint Margaret of Cortona: Do you feel guilty about the past? Have you ever questioned your motives? My review of The Life and Miracles of Saint Margaret of Cortona: A good, deep dive into the mind of a saint. Keep in mind the dated language. I have a long way to go, my friends. ****** ********************************* 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 foun...

A short summary of The Case for Christ: Finding credible evidence for Christ. My favorite Lee Strobel quote from the book: "Behavior reflects personality." Questions to ponder while reading The Case for Christ: Can the spiritual be proven absolutely? Will you ever have enough facts? My review of The Case for Christ: A good look into the historical data. A good book for the Christian curious. A good look at what you can believe. ****** ********************************* 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 short summary of Nine Elms: A masticating murder mystery. My favorite Robert Bryndza quote from the book: "You can't polish a turd." Questions to ponder while reading Nine Elms: How much freedom should convicted murderers get? Why do killers attract a following? My thoughts about Nine Elms: A fun, thrilling read. I admit to being disappointed, often, in Kate. Another example of why you shouldn't sleep with co-workers. ****** ********************************* 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 c...

A short summary of An Equal Justice: The high costs of a successful legal career. My favorite Chad Zunker quote from the book: "Be careful how close you dance with the devil." Questions to ponder while reading An Equal Justice: How hard would you work for an ideal? Can you draw the line? My review of the book: A challenge to the definition of success. A peek into the causes of homelessness. A lesson in ethics for everyone. ****** ********************************* 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 Roman Farm Management: Old Marcus Cato had a farm... My favorite Marcus Porcius Cato quote from the book: "Remember that while work may stop, expenses still go on." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Can we learn from the past? Do you garden? My review of Roman Farm Management: I learned that Roman farms were well-staffed and enslaved. I learned that the basics of horticulture haven't changed much. I learned I should plant lupines with corn. ****** ********************************* 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 spons...

A short summary of Goodbye, Mr. Chips: The life and times of an English school teacher. My favorite James Hilton quote from the book: "'You cannot judge the importance of things by the noise they make." Questions to ponder while reading Goodbye, Mr. Chips: Have you ever thought about your impact? How does your life's review read? My review of Goodbye, Mr. Chips: Heartwarming and bittersweet. Life does not need to be dramatic to be well-lived. I hope I can review my life as well. ****** ********************************* 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 visi...

A short summary of the book Bird Box: Don't look now. You'll never guess what monster is out there. My favorite Josh Malerman quote from the book: "Man is the creature he fears." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Is there anything scarier than the unknown? Would you have peeked? My thoughts about Bird Box: Scared me! Surprised me! Satisfied me! ****** ********************************* 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 Forgotten Bones: Solving crimes with schizophrenia. My favorite Vivian Barz quote from the book: "It is amazing the things a person could get used to when they really had no other choice." Questions to ponder while reading Forgotten Bones: What do you know about mental illnesses? Do you believe in ghosts? My thoughts about Forgotten Bones: Crime-fighting with a paranormal twist. A different mix of elements. Some books (like this one) are just plain scary 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 wor...

Dear Henry, I really need to get busy getting my camper van together because, in addition to checking out Southern Arkansas and looking into the Museum for the International Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo , I want to take a road trip to the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston. Oddly enough, I am not all that interested in the books at this library, but rather, the three-story stained-glass globe within it. The globe is called the Mapparium, and it opened in 1935.  The structure is comprised of 608 stained glass panels and because it is a globe it doesn't suffer from Mercator projection, so all of the countries are true representations. The globe room also provides "whisper acoustics" and even the smallest sound will carry across the structure. Of course, the globe is obsolete and was almost immediately after it opened.  There were initial plans to update the panels as boundaries changed but by 1960 it was decided that the Mapparium was a work of art and neede...

A short summary of The Secrets of Lost Stones: Tying up the loose ends of a tragedy. My favorite Melissa Payne quote from the book: "Her only option was to move forward until she couldn't move forward anymore." Questions to ponder while reading The Secrets of Lost Stones: Where do you go when you have nowhere to go? How has the past haunted you? My review of The Secrets of Lost Stones: An easy book to engage in.   With easy characters to love An easy book to enjoy. ****** ********************************* 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 The Island of Dr. Moreau: The science that separates man from beast. My favorite H.G. Wells quote from the book: "I hope or I could not live." Questions to ponder while reading the book: What makes us human? Can science go too far? My review of the book The Island of Dr. Moreau: Very disturbing. Very savage. Very hard to put down. ****** ********************************* 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 Marie Antoinette: The life and times of France's last queen. My favorite quote by Marie Antoinette: "There is nothing new except what has been forgotten." Questions to ponder while reading Marie Antoinette: Have you ever wanted to be the queen? How do revolutions begin? My review of Marie Antoinette:  A conversational look into a misunderstood queen. Sympathetic and easy to read. I love a good history book. ****** ********************************* 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 buyin...

A short summary of Agamemnon: The tale of the Great Agamemnon, king, and conqueror. (Spoiler: Karma gets involved) My favorite Aeschylus quote from the book: "Death is an easier doom than slavery." Questions to ponder while reading Agamemnon: Can you get justice through revenge? Can a family be cursed? My thoughts about Agamemnon: Another perspective on the Trojan saga. A must-read for history/mythology lovers. Ancient literature at its finest. ****** ********************************* 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  web...

A short summary of Dreams, Memories, and Reflections: The story of Carl Jung. My favorite Carl Jung quote from the book: "The crucial thing is the story." Questions to ponder while reading Dreams, Memories, and Reflections: What do you think about when you reflect? Do you dream? My review of Dreams, Memories, and Reflections: A must-read if you love psychology, history, or philosophy. There is so much insight into "where" Dr. Jung came from. I love that Dr. Jung was a doodler. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of The Snow Child: Building a new life in Alaska. My favorite Eowyn Ivey quote from the book: "It's all a mystery and when we say any different, we're just lying to ourselves." Questions to ponder while reading The Snow Child: What haunts you? Do you believe in fairy tales? My review of The Snow Child: I couldn't put it down. I am such a sucker for a good fairy tale. I want to play in the snow 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 consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop  or buying me a cup of co...

A short summary of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf: Love, lust, and middle-age. My favorite Edward Albee quote from the play: "The most profound indication of a social malignancy....no sense of humor" Questions to ponder while reading Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf: How happy is your marriage? Are you successful? My review of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf: A very good example of a very bad marriage. Some people probably shouldn't drink much. Full of schadenfreude and dark humor. ****** ********************************* 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 visiti...

A short summary of Profiles in Courage: Integrity in politics. My favorite John F. Kennedy quote from the book: "...there are few, if any, issues where all the truth and all the right and all the angels are on one side." Questions to ponder while reading Profiles in Courage: Do you know where you stand? Do your choices matter? My thoughts about Profiles in Courage: An honest look at honest politicians - even if it was ghostwritten. An important read for US History. Many relevant takeaways for today's politics. ****** ********************************* 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 co...

A short summary of Airplane Mode: Big Sister is watching you. My favorite Elliott Downing quote from the book: "Everyone enjoys thinking they've outwitted somebody." Questions to ponder while reading Airplane Mode: Should a disease always be cured? Does the sound of drones disturb you? My review of  Airplane Mode: Totally entertaining.  It was great fun in a book. Totally plausible "end-of-life-as-we-know-it." Totally choked full of girl power. My kudos. ****** ********************************* 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 sponsor...