Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations & Reviews

  A short summary of Brideshead Revisited: A captain laments his loves and losses among the ruins of war. My favorite Evelyn Waugh quote from the book: "To know and love one other human being is the root of all wisdom." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you fit in? Are you prone to depression? My review: A touching nostalgic look at England's past. Descriptive and evocative. I disapprove of some of Charlie'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!

A short summary of The Diary of a Country Priest: A country parish helps a priest's journey toward humility. My favorite Georges Bernanos quote from the book: "The wish to pray is a prayer in itself."  Questions to ponder while reading: Do your expectations meet reality? Are you awkward? My review of the book: Touching story about the challenges of service. I felt so much sympathy for the priest. I wonder if I could have continued with such grace. ****** ********************************* 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 Wide Sargasso Sea: Who Bertha was before she went to England, met Jane Eyre , and burnt the house down. My favorite Jean Rhys quote from the book: "Lies are never forgotten, they go on, and they grow." Questions to ponder while reading the book: How has your childhood shaped you? Who has betrayed you the most? My Review of Wide Sargasso Sea: I loved the "prequel" ( read my review of Jane Eyre here ) I came to dislike Mr. Rochester very much (not that I liked him much before). A very great (and dark) 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 sup...

  A short summary of Phaedo: The details of the death of Socrates. My favorite Plato quote from the book: "The circle of nature is not complete unless the living come from the dead as well as pass to them." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you love wisdom? Do you fear death? My review of Phaedo: A must-read classic. Life and death rhetoric. I hope I can meet my death so calmly. ****** ********************************* 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 A Christmas Carol: A spectral evening teaches a Scrouge the meaning of Christmas. My favorite Charles Dickens quote from the book: "There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Who would visit you? Where in your life do you need to find Christmas? My review of The Christmas Carol: Love! Love! Love! I hope I never need to see a ghost. Like The Gift of the Magi , the book comes out every Christmas. ****** ********************************* 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 visitin...

A short summary of The Return of the King: The end of the journey and the end (?) of evil. My favorite JRR Tolkien quote from the book: "I will not say; do not weep; for not all tears are an evil." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you have someone you can trust? Can you succeed without friendship? My review of The Return of the King: The end of a long, long journey. An epic story for the ages. Tolkien is a master of description. ****** ********************************* 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 The Two Towers: Frodo and Sam are still trying to dodge orc's and destroy Bilbo's ring. My favorite JRR Tolkien quote from the book: "The wise speak only of what they know." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you think wars are inevitable? Do you think evil will always exist? My review of The Two Towers: Book two of the epic journey. Dangers and evils abound. I've mentioned the songs, stories, and sagas, right? ****** ********************************* 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 o...

  A short summary of The Fellowship of the Ring: Frodo begins the quest to rid the world of Bilbo's ring. My favorite JRR Tolkien quote from the book: "Not all of those who wander are lost." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you get involved in things that are not your responsibility? How important is food to you? My review of The Fellowship of the Ring: It's the Lord of the Rings - how could you go wrong? The beginning of the epic quest. A lot of songs, stories, and sagas within the pages. ****** ********************************* 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 Hobbit: Bilbo's adventure to find a treasure that dwarves and a wizard convinced him he wanted. My favorite JRR Tolkien quote from the book: "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." Questions to ponder while reading the book: What do you treasure? Have you ever wanted to go on an epic journey? My review of The Hobbit: Nostalgia alert! A forever-favorite tale. Riddles, Rhymes, and lots of songs. ****** ********************************* 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  webs...

  A short summary of The Law: The philosophy behind justice in our laws. My favorite Frederic Bastiat quote from the book: "Life, facilities, production -- in other words, individuality, liberty, property -- this is man." Questions to ponder while reading The Law: Are politicians exempt from the vices they legislate? Do you believe in personal property? My review of the book: A great classical liberalism explanation. Fundamental paradigm shifter. Challenging concepts and language - take your time. ****** ********************************* 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 m...

A short summary of The Hunchback of Notre Dame: The sad story of Esmeralda and Quasimodo. My favorite Victor Hugo quote from the book: "What men arrange, things disarrange." Questions to ponder while reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame: What will be your downfall? How do you define kindness? My review of the  book: Love! Love! Love! The book is much better than the Disney version (although much sadder) Sometimes, there isn't 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  or buying me a cup of c...

  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 Phantom of the Opera: The haunting tale of a lovesick specter. My favorite Gaston Leroux quote from the book: "Our lives are one masked ball." Questions to ponder while reading The Phantom of the Opera: Are theaters really that complex? Would you pick the scorpion or the grasshopper? My review of the book: A classic thriller. Finished in a single sitting. I really want to see the Paris Opera House 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 coffee!

  A short summary of the book Democracy in America: Everything you have ever wanted to know about the US government but were afraid to ask. The book also contains a lot of information you never thought of asking. My favorite Alexis de Tocqueville quote from the book: " Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom. " Questions to ponder while reading Democracy in America: Do you understand your representation? Do you understand your rights and responsibilities? My review of the book: An in-depth look at the inner workings of our government. It is incredibly detailed. One of the most necessary books for every American (yes, I know it was written by a Frenchman) ****** ********************************* 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.c...

A short summary of the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: The missal of a young man, as he grows up in Missouri. My favorite quote from the book: "The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it." Questions to ponder while reading Tom Sawyer: How well do you barter? Have you ever run away from home? My review of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: A childhood classic. Funny and irreverent. This is the ultimate "boys will be boys" story and is challenged all of the time. Be a rebel and read 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...

A short summary of The Masque of the Red Death: A pallid killjoy crashes Prospero's final party. My favorite Edgar Allan Poe quote from the book: "Even among those who laugh at both life and death, some matters cannot be laughed at." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Can you outrun an illness? Can you dance in the face of death? My review of The Masque of the Red Death: Something light to read during the quarantine. Can anyone truly be isolated? I wonder 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 ...

A short summary of the book North and South: Margaret's industrial experience with the lack of social justice. My favorite Elizabeth Gaskell quote from the book: "But the cloud never comes in that quarter of the horizon from which we watch for it." Questions to ponder while reading: It is wealth or manners that define status? How do you decide what a person is worth? My review of the book North and South: An under-recognized woman author. A bleaker look at "classical" England. It did get a little too "all adoring." ****** ********************************* 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? Pl...