Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations & Reviews

  A short summary of The Optimist's Daughter: Reflecting on one's life and a parent's past after a death. My favorite Eudora Welty quote from the book: "Surviving is perhaps the strangest fantasy of them all." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Have you always agreed with your parents? Do you live in the past? My review of The Optimist's Daughter: I recognized soooo many people at the funeral. It makes you wonder who truly knows you. It makes you wonder who truly cares. ****** ********************************* 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 White Noise: Fighting the fear of death in suburbia following a toxic event. My favorite Don DeLillo quote from the book: "You have to ask yourself whether anything you do in this life would have beauty and meaning without the knowledge you carry of a final line, a border or limit." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Would you be afraid? Could you live a life in spite of your fear? My review of White Noise: A look into the sensationalism of the modern world. Makes one wonder what one would do in the same shoes. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't continue to teach about Hitler. ****** ********************************* 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  sho...

  A short summary of Circe: The life and times of an exiled nymph. My favorite Madeline Miller quote from the book: "How many of us would be granted pardon if our true hearts were known?" Questions to ponder while reading Circe: Could you have borne the loneliness? Do you get along with your parents? My review of the book Circe: A great Greek mythology retelling. Completely engrossing. I can't believe how many of the Greek divine beings behaved badly. ****** ********************************* 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 Let Me Tell You What I Mean: More of Joan's thoughts. My favorite Joan Didion quote from the book: "Make a place available to the eyes and in certain ways it is no longer available to the imagination." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Do you write? Did you get into the college of your choice? My review of Let Me Tell You What I Mean: Another book I wish I had read much earlier in life. I'm a big fan of Joan Didion. I'm a pretty big fan of Martha Stewart too. ****** ********************************* 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 sponso...

  A short summary of The English Patient: The secret thoughts of the shell shocked. My favorite Michael Ondaatje quote from the book: "Sadness is very close to hate." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Would you still be able to care for another person? Would you be able to overcome your fear? My review of The English Patient: A post-WWII story. Very sad, even the "romantic" parts. I don't know that I would have kept trying. ****** ********************************* 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 Shepherd Who Didn't Run: An in-depth biography on the Blessed Stanley Rother. My favorite Blessed Stanley Rother quote from the book: "Pray for us that we may be a sign of the love of Christ for his people." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Could you be a missionary? Would you have returned? My review of the The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: A very thorough work on a very special saint. An ideal of sacrifice. A great example 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  webshop ...

  A short summary of History of Africa: A thorough chronology of Africa. My favorite Kevin Shillington quote about Africa: "The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it."  Questions to ponder while reading the book: Did you realize how many ecosystems existed on the African continent? Did you realize how unconquered the land really was? My review of History of Africa: A deep dive into the African continent. Cleared up many misconceptions. This is a beefy book.  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...