Rite of Fancy

  A short summary and review of When We Believed in Mermaids: A sister searches New Zealand for the surfer Jose Bianci. My favorite Barbara O'Neal quote from the book: " A girl without a mother who protects her is a girl at the mercy of the world." Questions to ponder while reading When We Believed In Mermaids: Have you ever done something you were ashamed of? How present were your parents? My review of the book: A fun, family drama. Dysfunctional parent recovery book. Kind of a cheesy ending. ****** ********************************* 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 If The Creek Don't Rise: The story of Sadie's sad situation - and how she ultimately saved herself. My favorite Leah Weiss quote from the book: "Hungry changes things." Questions to ponder while reading If The Creek Don't Rise: What is "Christian" behavior? How do we fix poverty? My review of the book: Broke my heart! Herbal knowledge is such an underrated skill. We need to get resources into the Appalachian. ****** ********************************* 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 Prisoners of Geography: How a people's land affects a people's development. My favorite Tim Marshall quote from the book: "When faced with what is considered an existential threat, a great power will use force." Questions to ponder while reading Prisoners of Geography: What geography has limited your people? What geography has helped your people? My review of Tim Marshall's Prisoners of Geography: Like " Guns, Germs, and Steel ," a great *why* book. Informative and well-researched. Easy to read, despite the complexity of the topic. ****** ********************************* 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...

  A short summary of Lives of the Great Commanders: Biographical sketches of the ancient generals. My favorite Cornelius Nepo quote from the book: "Each man's personal habits shape his own fortune." Questions to ponder while reading Lives of the Great Commanders: Do the rules of war apply to everyday situations? Do you enjoy games of strategy? My review of the book: A new translation of an ancient work. In-depth information about the old generals. Historically valuable but a teensy bit dry. ****** ********************************* 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 The Saracen Storm: Pelayo's fight for Spain. My favorite J.M. Nunez quote from the book: "How do we battle a foe that has no fear of dying?" Questions to ponder while reading The Saracen Storm: Have you heard of the Reconquista? Have you ever been to Spain? My review of the book: An engrossing tale about an overlooked part of history. A heroic tale of civil war. "Knights and Ladies" fiction 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  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

  A short summary of The Tulsa Massacre of 1921: An overview of the events surrounding the Tulsa Massacre of 1921. An eyewitness quote: "Lurid flames roared and belched and licked their forked tongues into the air." John Hope Franklin Questions to ponder while reading The Tulsa Massacre of 1921: Should official documents ever be destroyed? What should happen to vigilantes? My review of the book: A good, basic overview of the event. A quick reference guide. A terrible point in Tulsa's 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 work by visiting my spo...

  A short summary of The Norman Conquest: The facts and fatalities that wove together the Norman conquest of England. My favorite William I quote: "I have taken England with both my hands!" (after he fell on his face, getting off his ship) Questions to ponder while reading The Norman Conquest: Did you realize how many people were trying to rule England? Could the Bayeux Tapestry be accurate? My review of the book: A pivot point in England's history. Incredibly readable. In-depth background. ****** ********************************* 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 The Price of Time: The murderous quest to beat immortality. My favorite Tim Tigner quote from the book: "You can't negotiate if you can't walk away." Questions to ponder while reading The Price of Time: Do you want to live forever? What do you live for? My review of the book: Futuristic fun. Plausible science fiction. A little bit drawn out. ****** ********************************* 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 None Dare Call It A Conspiracy: Defining the "who" who controls the mob. My favorite Gary Allen quote from the book: "It takes a person with strong character indeed to face the facts and admit he has been wrong, even if it was because he was uninformed." Questions to ponder while reading None Dare Call It A Conspiracy: Who controls the media? Who controls the government? My review of the book: Scary scenario! Unreal implications! Is it really a conspiracy? Or is it just a coincidence? ****** ********************************* 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 vi...

  A short summary of Sea of Memories: Writing the bittersweet life of my grandmother Ella. My favorite Fiona Valpy quote from the book: "As you well know yourself, you can't always choose what life throws at you. But you always have a choice in how you deal with it." Questions to ponder while reading Sea Of Memories: Has your life ever been altered by things you can't control? What would you do if you got a second chance? My review of the book: A total "hot chocolate and warm blanket" book. Very sappy and so much fun. I couldn't imagine giving up my soul mate. ****** ********************************* 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 #TaketheBackRoad...

  A short summary and review of The Girl In Cabin 13: Emily Griffin and the mystery of the Feather Nest Killer. My favorite A.J. Rivers quote from the book: "Doesn't just about everybody have an "all considering" in their past?" Questions to ponder while reading The Girl in Cabin 13: How do you picture a serial killer? What are the appropriate actions of an FBI agent? My review of the book: A fun little mystery. I, too, get really cold. A little bit clunky. ****** ********************************* 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 buy...

  A short summary of the book Verity: The ghostwriting of an accidental invalid, after her story, got out. My favorite Colleen Hoover quote from the book: "One should only walk away from an autobiography with, at best, an uncomfortable distaste for its author." Question to ponder while reading Verity: How dark are your fantasies? What should happen to people who hurt children? My review of the book Verity: Evil like Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl" ( Read Review Here ) All of the characters gave me the creeps. I stayed up all night to finish. ****** ********************************* 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 ...

  A short summary of The Naturalist: An animalistic serial murder mystery set in the mountains of Montana. My favorite Andrew Mayne quote from the book: "Bears and lightning do as they please and can strike in the same spot as much as they choose, despite what experts tell us." Questions to ponder while reading The Naturalist: Do you go camping often? Have you ever noticed unusual patterns? My review of the book: A great "scary monster in the woods" book. I wonder, who is scarier - man or animal? Read it all night long. ****** ********************************* 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 supportin...

  A short summary of The Promise of Jesse Woods: The bargains and betrayals of three young, Dogwood friends. My favorite Chris Fabry quote from the book: "Adversity is just an invitation to get better." Questions to ponder while reading The Promise of Jesse Woods: What makes a good person? Have you ever betrayed a friend? My review of the book: I was completely absorbed in the tale. It made my heart swell. A great book for a Sunday afternoon. ****** ********************************* 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...

  A short summary of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter: How the sympathetic signer saved everyone but himself. My favorite Carson McCullers quote from the book: "The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone." Questions to ponder while reading The Heart is a Lonely Hunter: Who do you talk to? Have you ever felt alone? My review of the book: Very engrossing! Very deep! Very heartbreaking! ****** ********************************* 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 Last Thing She Ever Did: The consequences of killing Charlie. My favorite Gregg Olsen quote from the book: "Showing it off is for those at risk of ending up back where they started." Questions to ponder while reading The Last Thing She Ever Did: How focused are you on your goals? What makes a bad person? My review of the book: I couldn't decide which character I hated the most. Lies are terrible things. I couldn't wait for a happy ending. ****** ********************************* 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  o...

A short summary and review of One Corpse Too Many: A monk's discovery of a murder during a rebellion. My favorite Ellis Peters quote from the book: "Your thoughts are safe in your head, best keep them there." Questions to ponder while reading One Corpse Too Many: Do you always follow your conscience? Does every problem need to be solved? My review of the book: I'm a big fan of Brother Cadfael. A good clean and fun mystery. Stayed up all night to finish it. ****** ********************************* 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...