About Me

The story behind A Book A Week, and the reader behind the reviews.

It started with a New Year's resolution:
1 book a week, 52 books in a year.
I kept reading, and it grew into something much more.

Back in 2011, I was an avid reader who had somehow lost my way with reading. Between working and being a full-time student, reading for pleasure had slowly fallen by the wayside.

I wanted to change that. So I gave myself a New Year's resolution to read one book every week for a year. I started A Book A Week on January 1, 2012 as a way to hold myself accountable and share what I was reading along the way.

I didn't quite reach my goal that first year, but I kept reading. I kept reviewing. And all these years later, I'm still here, looking forward to whatever book comes next. Some years I crush my goals, some years I don't, but my love for a good book has never wavered.

Line drawing portrait of Ethan

Hi, I'm Ethan

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

I'm a lifelong reader with a particular soft spot for mysteries and thrillers. I've always loved the genre, and I credit those stories—the twists, suspense, and need to know what happens next—with keeping me a reader as an adult. My reading has taken me in all kinds of directions since then, but I'll always come back to a good mystery.

I love creepy horror novels. A fascinating work of nonfiction can completely pull me in, too. And I've found plenty of favorites in science fiction, literary fiction, romance, and other genres I might never have picked up when I first started the blog. That's part of the fun. I never quite know what kind of story is going to grab me next.

When I'm not reading or writing reviews, you'll usually find me at home with my husband and our pets. I'm a classically trained musician and composer, an enthusiastic home cook, and a backyard gardener. There's usually a trip to look forward to or some new project that has caught my interest, too.

At the end of the day, I just really love books. There's nothing quite like discovering a story I can't put down or finding an author I can't wait to read again. Even when a book doesn't quite work for me, I still enjoy thinking about why and putting those thoughts into words. That's what keeps me reading, reviewing, and sharing it all here on A Book A Week.

Loose hand-drawn fountain pen illustration

Review Disclaimer

Honest reviews, always.

Some of the books I review are ones I've purchased myself. Others are provided by publishers or authors in exchange for an honest review. Either way, what I write here is always what I really think.

Not every book is going to work for every reader, and that's part of the fun of talking about books. I'll tell you what worked for me, what didn't, and hopefully give you enough to decide whether a book might be right for you.

Good, bad, or somewhere in between, you'll always get my honest take.

Contact

Have a question about the blog, a book you think I should read, or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

Drop me a note using the form below.

Let's Connect

I'm always happy to hear from readers, publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers.

Review Copies

I'm always open to considering books for review. I read across a pretty wide range of genres, though mysteries and thrillers tend to be particular favorites. If you'd like me to consider a book, send along a little information about it and why you think it might be a good fit for A Book A Week.

Publishers & Authors

Review requests, interviews, features, or something else you have in mind? Send me a note. I'm always happy to hear about new books and opportunities that might be a good fit for the blog.

General Inquiries

Have a question, a recommendation, or just want to talk books? Those messages are welcome, too.

Find Me Elsewhere

Send a Message

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Archive for 2012

2012: The Year In Review

Monday, December 31, 2012

2012: The Year In Review

Well, today marks the end of 2012. What a year it has been! When I started this blog as a way to hold myself accountable for reading one boo...

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Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art by Christopher Moore

Friday, December 28, 2012

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art by Christopher Moore

Throughout his career, author Christopher Moore has garnered critical and commercial success for his novels. His inherent wit and ability ...

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The Second World War by Antony Beevor

Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Second World War by Antony Beevor

I have always been fascinated with any and all things to do with World War II. From the rise of Hitler, to the bombing of Hiroshima, this ...

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The Operative by Andrew Britton

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Operative by Andrew Britton

Like many other deceased authors, Michael Crichton and Sydney Sheldon immediately come to mind, author Andrew Britton's untimely death...

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Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading Bleed for Me , a novel by Michael Robotham, featuring crime-fighting psychologist Joseph ...

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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Update

There is no doubt that you have noticed the lack of reviews on this site in the last month. No, I haven't abandoned my goal of reading a...

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Rogue by Mark Sullivan

Friday, October 5, 2012

Rogue by Mark Sullivan

Robin Monarch is no ordinary man. The son of two con artists, Robin began a life of theft at an early age. After his parents occupation fi...

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Black Fridays by Michael Sears

Friday, September 21, 2012

Black Fridays by Michael Sears

Jason Stafford has nothing. He was once a top Wall Street trader living the high life, but after a getting in over his head with falsified...

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Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams

Last year, I encountered and was delighted by the novel, The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams. Williams introduced the crime figh...

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This Bright River by Patrick Somerville

Friday, September 7, 2012

This Bright River by Patrick Somerville

Ben Hanson is no stranger to mistakes. Recently released from prison, he understands that he made errors in both his personal and professi...

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The Renegades by Tom Young

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Renegades by Tom Young

As we have seen, especially in recent years, when nature decides to throw a natural disaster our way, there is nothing for us to do but wa...

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Calico Joe by John Grisham

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Calico Joe by John Grisham

Americans have a longstanding love affair with baseball. There is something about attending a ballpark, watching a game amongst friends an...

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Fire Season by Jon Loomis

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Fire Season by Jon Loomis

Frank Coffin, police detective and interim chief of Provincetown, Massachusetts, is undergoing a lifestyle change. As a typical middle-age...

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I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson

Saturday, August 11, 2012

I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson

As critics and readers have slammed most of James Patterson's recent novels, his Michael Bennett series, co-written with Michael Ledwi...

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Amped by Daniel H. Wilson

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Amped by Daniel H. Wilson

Daniel H. Wilson arrived to the novel scene with last year's inventive tale, "Robopocalypse". Combining a well thought out s...

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The 500 by Matthew Quirk

Monday, July 23, 2012

The 500 by Matthew Quirk

"Every man has a price". That seems to be the motivating factor in the debut novel, "The 500", by Matthew Quirk. In th...

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Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

Nick and her cousin, Helena, are two women searching for their place in the world. With the Second World War drawing two a close, both wom...

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The Last MInute by Jeff Abbott

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Last MInute by Jeff Abbott

To say that Sam Capra is motivated would be an understatement. His ex-wife, who committed treason against the CIA and cost Sam his job wit...

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The Kings of Cool by Don Winslow

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Kings of Cool by Don Winslow

A couple years ago, Don Winslow made waves with his fast and edgy novel, "Savages", in which young drug "entrepreneurs...

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Bloodline by James Rollins

Friday, June 29, 2012

Bloodline by James Rollins

First time mothers are supposed to spend the nine months before birth in a blissful state of anticipatory preparation. With only a few wee...

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A Fatal Debt by John Gapper

Sunday, June 24, 2012

A Fatal Debt by John Gapper

The crash of the Wall Street Market ushered in a new era of consciousness of the wrongdoings of those running the U.S. financial system. F...

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The Key by Simon Toyne

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Key by Simon Toyne

In his debut novel, Sanctus, author Simon Toyne thrilled audiences with his high concept, religious conspiracy thriller. The dazzling stor...

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The Blood of Heroes by James Donovan

Friday, June 8, 2012

The Blood of Heroes by James Donovan

As a native of San Antonio, Texas, I have always been fascinated by the history of my hometown, and the surrounding areas. As a young chil...

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Collateral Damage by H. Terrell Griffin

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Collateral Damage by H. Terrell Griffin

Matt Royal attracts trouble. No matter what he is doing, the retired lawyer always seems to find himself in intriguing and life-threatenin...

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Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson

James Patterson seems to be one of the most polarizing authors working today. While he is one of the best selling authors of all time, mos...

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The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Sunday, May 20, 2012

The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

In The Lifeboat, author Charlotte Rogan explores the actions of a group of people who are forced to survive on a small lifeboat and the re...

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Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Monday, May 14, 2012

Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

There is really only one rule that all criminals must follow: Don't Get Caught!. In the latest Dexter novel by author Jeff Lindsay, De...

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