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 2013

Author Q&A: Jason Sandberg

Friday, September 20, 2013

Author Q&A: Jason Sandberg

Jason Sandberg is the author of the children's book, Candy and the Cankersaur. He was kind enough to answer a few questions on his boo...

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Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg

I'll preface this review by saying that I don't really read children's books. I'm a single guy, in my twenties, and have n...

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Inferno by Dan Brown

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Inferno by Dan Brown

Dan Brown reached commercial and critical acclaim when he released his controversial and entertaining novel, The DaVinci Code. In the book...

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Friday Flicks: The Lincoln Lawyer

Friday, August 30, 2013

Friday Flicks: The Lincoln Lawyer

A  review of a book to film adaptation. Michael Connelly's 2005 novel, The Lincoln Lawyer, garnered critical and commercial succes...

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The Wonder Bread Summer by Jessica Anya Blau

Saturday, August 24, 2013

The Wonder Bread Summer by Jessica Anya Blau

From the start, this novel is unconventional. It begins in the back room of a dress shop where twenty-year-old Allie Dodgson is being coer...

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Friday Flicks: The Ghost Writer

Friday, August 9, 2013

Friday Flicks: The Ghost Writer

A review of a book to film adaptation. Former Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) runs into difficulties as he attempts to compl...

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Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft

Monday, August 5, 2013

Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft

As the title would suggest, there is extreme loyalty amongst the members of the Ludlow family. Loyalty to themselves, each other, and most...

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Shot All to Hell by Mark Lee Gardner

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Shot All to Hell by Mark Lee Gardner

Jesse James is perhaps one of the most famous criminals in American history. With the assistance of his notorious gang of outlaws, James s...

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Friday Flicks: Stardust

Friday, July 19, 2013

Friday Flicks: Stardust

A review of a book to film adaptation.  Stardust, the novel by Neil Gaiman, told the tale of a young man and his search to find a falli...

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The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Over the course of his career, author Neil Gaiman has delighted readers with his storytelling abilities. His almost childlike sensibilitie...

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Friday Flicks: Up In The Air

Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday Flicks: Up In The Air

A review of a book to film adaptation.  In the 2009 film, Up In The Air, George Clooney portrays Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who...

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The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan

Dr. Kate Philo is on an arctic expedition to discover frozen lifeforms. She works for a team of scientists who study cell reanimation. Bas...

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Friday Flicks: World War Z

Friday, July 5, 2013

Friday Flicks: World War Z

A review of a book to film adaptation. In his novel, World War Z, author Max Brooks created a telling of a zombie infested, post-apocaly...

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Bad Blood by John Sandford

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Bad Blood by John Sandford

A small Minnesota town is shocked when local high school football star, Bobby Tripp, is arrested for the brutal murder of farmer Jacob Flo...

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Slingshot by Matthew Dunn

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Slingshot by Matthew Dunn

In the early 90's a group of high ranking officials from the Russian and American governments came together to form a highly classifie...

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Friday Flicks: Alex Cross

Friday, June 21, 2013

Friday Flicks: Alex Cross

A review of a book to film adaptation. I've been a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross series since I first read Mary, M...

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The Tower by Simon Toyne

Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Tower by Simon Toyne

In 2011, I was introduced to the religious conspiracy thriller, Sanctus, by Simon Toyne. While Sanctus shared some similarities with the R...

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Out of Range by Hank Steinberg

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Out of Range by Hank Steinberg

Charlie Davis is a man who has settled. Six years ago, he was living a life of excitement and purpose. As a journalist, he was based out o...

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American Gun by Chris Kyle

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

American Gun by Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle, author of his bestselling memoir American Sniper, was no stranger to guns. As a Navy SEAL, he had a record confirmed 160 kills...

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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I was a bit skeptical as I began reading The Hunger Games, earlier this year. The hype of The Hunger Games had reached a high, and I could...

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