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.

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.

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.

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.

Congratulations to our first ever FAN FEATURE Winner, Richard Ely. Below you will find a guest post where he summarizes the book The Oldest Living Graduate: A Story of Love, Luck and Longevity by LTG William J. Ely, USA (Ret), Live Member. Lulu Publishing.

ISBN 978-1-4834-3541-1

Richard has also generously provided with 3 copies of the book to give away. After reading his summary, use the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post to enter.

From Richard Ely:

The Oldest Living Graduate is the auto biography of William J. Ely. He was raised on a modest farm in Pennsylvania, graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1933, served with the Corps of Engineers in the South Pacific during WWII and retired as a highly decorated lieutenant general in 1966. Subsequent to his service in the Army he became the senior vice president of Sverdrup and Parcel overseeing operation and construction around the world. He is also a published writer, and entrepreneur, a philanthropist and an extraordinary bridge and golf player.

He fell in love and married his wife Helen on a short break from Midway Island in 1940. They lived the American Dream together for more than 74 years before she died at the age of one hundred. Next to his wife Helen, his greatest passion was the game of golf. He was a highly acclaimed amateur golfer who won multiple championships, shot his age more that 2000 times and was inducted into the Quail Ridge Hall of Fame with such notables as Sam Snead and Claude Harmon.

The Oldest Living Graduate reaches its end with a summary of the author's "lessons learned" from more that a century of living and a personal status report of his daily life.

The General is still active in Delray Beach, Florida at nearly 104 years of age.

For more information about this title, visit the publisher's website, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

If this sounds like a book that might appeal to you, please enter for a chance to win one of three copies of it. Open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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3 Comments

Comments

Olivia's CatastropheNovember 14, 2015 at 4:56 PM
This sounds like a very true story which we lead us through understanding someone's who life. I like the sound of it all coming together to teach us some life lessons that the main character has gradually learned throughout their own lifetime as well.
Bailey T."Skip" StrainNovember 17, 2015 at 3:13 PM
I am Bailey T. Strain,USMA class of 1946 and a golfing friend of Dick Ely, Gen. Ely's son'. Also, a long time admirer and follower of Gen. Ely's later years.I would greatly appreciate receiving one of Gen. Ely's books

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About Me

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.

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

Honest reviews, always.

Contact