Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations & Reviews

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!  

  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!

  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!

  A short summary of What Happened To You: Why you do the self-destructive things you do. My favorite Bruce D. Perry PHD quote from the book: "Rhythm is essential to a healthy body and a healthy mind." Questions to ponder while reading: How was your childhood? Do you struggle with your past? My thoughts about the book: A good paradigm changer. Well-researched with great real-life examples. Staggering statistics on childhood trauma. ****** ********************************* 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 Boundaries: Deciding where you are and what you will allow. My favorite Henry Cloud quote from the book: "To forgive means acknowledging we will never get from that person what was owed to us." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you take on too much? Are you doing what you want to do? My review of the book: A good book on setting limits. Uses real-life examples. Realistic tips for change. *I love Henry Cloud's definition of forgiveness.* ****** ********************************* 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...

  A short summary of Not Of This World: A Catholic's guide to getting rid of "stuff." My favorite Sterling Jaquith quote from the book: "We must be intentional about the things we own, what we think about, and what we choose to do with our time." Questions to ponder while reading: Are you overwhelmed? How much stuff do you have? My review of Not Of This World: A great spiritual guide to purging the unnecessary. Practical and well thought out. A reference for everyone, even non-Catholics. ****** ********************************* 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 short summary of Go Bravely: A how-to guide to being true to God and His creation in you. My favorite Emily Wilson Hussem quote from the book: "No matter how badly we have been hurt, it is crucial to remember that forgiveness is not a feeling." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you think you are brave? Do you trust in God? My review of Go Bravely: Very good thoughts on womanhood. Very good thoughts on womanhood in Christ. Very very difficult to put down (I went through the book in one sitting!). *I picked this book up after seeing Emily Wilson Hussem speak at the Hallow Summit ( read about that trip here ). She is a very engaging speaker.  If you get the opportunity to attend one of her events, I recommend you take 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...

  A short summary of Recipes For A Sacred Life: A memoir of living with grace and wisdom. My favorite Rivvy Neshama Quote from the book: "My highest purpose is to live a sacred life connected to others, nature, and the divine through love, gratefulness, and acts of service." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you speak your truth? Do you compare yourself to others? My review of Recipes For A Sacred Life: I loved the tidbits of wisdom. I loved the stories about the people. I loved the philosophy. ****** ********************************* 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 Searching For And Maintaining Peace: A how-to guide for holding on to your inner tranquility. My favorite Father Jacques Philippe quote from the book: "The sign of spiritual progress is not so much never falling as it is being able to lift oneself up quickly after one falls." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Can you maintain inner peace amid your trials? Do you depend on God? My review of Searching For And Maintaining Peace: A great reference for the peaceful workings of God. True help for anxiety. A book to come back to over and over again. ****** ********************************* 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 #Ta...

  A short summary of the book Wild At Heart: What do men really need to be happy? My favorite John Eldredge quote from the book: "You can't fight a battle you don't think exists." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you know any wounded men? Have you ever wounded a man unintentionally? My review of the book Wild at Heart: A good look into the spirituality of masculinity. A great book for a better understanding of your husband. Christian-themed and biblically-based. ****** ********************************* 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  w...

  A short summary of Comfortable With Uncertainty: Buddhist lessons in growth, taught by an American Nun. My favorite Pema Chödrön quote from the book: " As long as we believe that there is  something that will permanently satisfy our hunger for security, suffering is inevitable." Questions to ponder while reading Pema Chödrön's Comfortable With Uncertainty: Do you hide from your thoughts? Where do you look for happiness? My review of the book Uncomfortable With Uncertainty: Great Buddhist wisdom, from a great Buddhist teacher. Easy to engage in, easy to understand. I *LOVED*  Pema Chödrön's explanation of karma. ****** ********************************* 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 gal...

  A short summary of Think Again: How to keep an open mind and maintain lifelong learning. My favorite Adam Grant quote from the book: "Our convictions can lock us in prisons of our own making." Questions to ponder while reading Adam Grant's Think Again: Do you know why you think what you think? Are you willing to change your mind? My review of the book Think Again: I love his ideas about how we think (or don't think). The book gives you much to think about. It got a little drawn out toward the end. ****** ********************************* 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 Heart of Buddha's Teaching: A deep dive into the Path of Compassion. My favorite Thich Nhat Hanh quote from the book: "Volition is the ground of all our actions." Questions to ponder while reading Thich Nhat Hahn's The Heart of Buddha's Teachings: Do you suffer? Are you happy? My review of the book The Heart of Buddha's Teachings: A comprehensive look into the Buddha's teachings. A detailed explanation of concepts. Surprisingly readable and full of love. ****** ********************************* 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...

A short summary of 12 Rules of Life: A conservative psychologist's guidelines for effective living. My favorite Jordan Peterson quote from the book: "If you will not reveal yourself to others, you cannot reveal yourself to yourself." Questions to ponder while reading Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules of Life: Do you believe in the power of posture? What do you think about Elmo? My review of the book 12 Rules of Life: A good set of guidelines for life. Well-researched and supportive. An advocate for a conservative lifestyle. ****** ********************************* 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 short summary of The Ragamuffin Gospel: Grace and the Gospel for goofs. My favorite Brennan Manning quote from the book: "It is a wisdom that realizes I cannot expect anyone to understand me fully." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Are you still young? How do you see? My review of The Ragamuffin Gospel: The best guide for sinners who try really hard not to sin. Good information on grace. Completely quotable. ****** ********************************* 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 Problem of Pain: Why does God allow us to be hurt? My favorite C.S. Lewis quote from the book: "Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself." Questions to ponder while reading C.S. Lewis: Do you suffer? Are you as kind as you think you are? My review of The Problem With Pain: A philosophical look at pain. A thorough and detailed explanation. Another C.S. Lewis classic. ****** ********************************* 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 v...

  A short summary of A Place Of Healing: The chronic pain of a miraculous survival story. My favorite Joni Erickson Tada quote from the book: "Don’t allow the enemy of your soul to convince you that your tasks today are ho-hum and ordinary, nothing special, nothing extraordinary." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you make light of things that hurt you? Do you think your suffering is God's will? My review of A Place of Healing: A very inspiring book. Admirable faith - admirable strength. A must-read for all chronic pain sufferers ****** ********************************* 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...