Posts

Showing posts from 2025

The Ghostwriter - Julie Clark - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of The Ghostwriter: A ghostwriter writes her father's nightmarish tale of murder. My favorite Julie Child quote from the book: "The truth lies in people's actions, their unguarded moments, not in the lies they tell." Questions to ponder while reading: Does your family have a secret? Do you like your parents? My review: Absolutely fantastic! A thriller to the end! Couldn't put it 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!

The Names - Florence Knapp - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of The Names: All the lives a name brings. My favorite Florence Knapp quote: "...maybe freedom is just about choosing the life you want." Questions to ponder while reading: Does your name have meaning? What path has your life taken? My review: OMG! Amazing Story! We need better services for battered women. ****** ********************************* 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!

The God of the Woods - Liz Moore - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of The God of the Woods: The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Van Laar children. My favorite Liz Moore quote from the book: "We can do as we please, if we only learn not to care so much about what people think."   Questions to ponder while reading: Is a lie ever acceptable? Are the wealthy above the law? My review: Slow moving, slow burning. You'll be pretty angry at privilege. I just couldn't believe how it ended. ****** ********************************* 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...

Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of Broken Country: An unfinished love story turns tragic. My favorite Clare Leslie Hall quote from the book: "Lives should be measured in intensity." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you regret the one who got away? Is infidelity ever acceptable? My review: The thrill of a murder mystery! The heartbreak of a love triangle! I just couldn't put it 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!

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of Remarkably Bright Creatures: Tova and Marcellus, an elderly friendship. My favorite Shelby Van Pelt quote from the book: "My death is imminent. But I'm not dead yet." Questions to ponder while reading: What makes a friend? Do you live? My review: Sweetest book ever! Will make you laugh and cry! I want to meet a snarky octopus! ****** ********************************* 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!

Moonflower Murders - Anthony Horowitz - A short summary and Review

Image
A Short Summary of Moonflower Murders: A publisher jumps back into a deceased author's story. My favorite Anthony Horowitz quote from the book: "The greatest evil occurs when people, no matter their aims or their motives, become utterly convinced that they are right." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you get bored easily? Do you like a good mystery? My review of the book: So much fun! Loved the twists and turns! Didn't expect the 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  or buying me a cup of coff...

If Cats Disappeared From the World - Genki Kawamura - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of If Cats Disappeared From the World: You can live forever if you get rid of..... My favorite Genki Kawamura quote from the book: "I wonder why people always expect things from others that they themselves can't or won't do." Questions to ponder while reading: What would you give up first? What wouldn't you give up at all? My review: A fun look at the costs of immortality. Surprisingly philosophical. There is no way I would give up my cat (or my dog, for that matter.) ****** ********************************* 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 a...

All About Love: New Visions - Bell Hooks - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of All About Love: What love really is. My favorite Bell Hooks quote from the book: "Attention is an important resource." Questions to ponder while reading: Can love transform? Is love significant? My review: A beautiful look at the meaning of love. I agree. Love is a verb. Very spiritual. ****** ********************************* 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!  

The Path of Daggers - Robert Jordan - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of The Path of Daggers: The queen of Andor returns, a Seachan stalemate, and a promise from a prophet. My favorite Robert Jordan quote from the book: "Sometimes six and six make a dozen, and sometimes they make a mess." Questions to ponder while reading: Are you ruled by ego? Have you ever lost something important? My review: Book 8 of 14! So many threads... I'm beginning to wish I had taken notes. ****** ********************************* 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!

The Reckless Way of Love: Notes On Following Jesus - Dorothy Day - A Short Summary and Review

Image
A short summary of The Reckless Way of Love: The personal prose of an altruistic convert. My favorite Dorothy Day quote from the book: "To keep regretting what was is to deny God's grace." Questions to ponder while reading: Where have you found God? Where have you found grace? My Review: Wonderful vignettes. Thought-provoking stories. A great book about finding God in the everyday and mundane. ****** ********************************* 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!  

The Long Way to a Small and Angry Planet - Becky Chambers - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of The Long Way to a Small and Angry Planet: Nice beings in space. My favorite Becky Chambers quote from the book: "The universe is what we make of it.  It's up to you to decide what part you will play." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you believe everyone has a good side? How far will you go to help a stranger? My review: Fun and frivolous. A total feel-good book. Made me hope for our future. ****** ********************************* 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 Flicker in the Dark - Stacy Willingham - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of A Flicker in the Dark: A psychologist is reminded of a serial killer she once knew. My favorite Stacy Willingham quote from the book: "Maybe you need to stop retracing your footsteps. Maybe you need to try a new path." Questions to ponder while reading: When do you change your name? When do you run away? My review: Fun little thriller. Full of tropes. Found myself a little frustrated with Chole's choices. ****** ********************************* 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!

Think Straight: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life - Darius Foroux - A Short Summary and Review

Image
  A short summary of Think Straight: Learning how to let your thoughts go. My favorite Darius Foroux quote from the book: "At the end of the day, thinking by itself is useless without action." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you overthink? Do you act on your thoughts? My review: A good book to help you get out of your head. A quick and easy read. Touched on all the important topics. ****** ********************************* 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!

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson - A Short Summary & Review

Image
  A short summary of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: Learning to love a life full of lemons. My favorite Mark Manson quote from the book: "Who you are is defined by what you're willing to struggle for." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you sweat the small stuff? What problems do you focus on? My review: Backed by science! Full of humor!! A great look at what's important!!! ****** ********************************* 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!