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.

We are at a point in pop culture where nostalgia seems to be the hot topic. Star Wars and Jurassic Park rule the box office while revived shows like Hawaii Five-0, Roseanne, and the upcoming reboot of Murphy Brown play on our televisions. I mean, even American Idol, which saw its historic run end only two years ago, has been brought back for another go. Not everyone is on board with the constant reboots and revivals that we seem to be obsessed with, but you can't deny that they are selling.

In his blockbuster novel Ready Player One, Ernest Cline presents a highly original adventure set in a future that is steeped in the nostalgia and throwbacks that we can't get enough of. The year is 2045 and all of Earth has been explored. The ever-expanding human population has stripped the planet of most resources. Teenage Wade Watt lives in the stacks, a large collection of stacked trailer homes that tower throughout what used to be bustling major cities. To escape the stress and downright bleakness of their lives, people spend the majority of their time in the digital playground known as The Oasis.

The Oasis was the brainchild of the late genius James Halliday. It serves as a center for education, entertainment, and commerce. Essentially, anything that can be dreamt can be programmed into The Oasis. Upon his death, Halliday announced that he programmed an easter egg into the world. Whoever finds the egg will gain complete control of The Oasis. Naturally, large corporations are stopping at nothing to retrieve the egg and control. If the unlikely hero Wade Watts has anything to do with it, he'll find the egg first!

After waiting for years to read this novel, I was finally inspired to pick it up before seeing the movie adaptation. Both book and movie differ in huge ways, so I'm definitely happy I read the book. I'm a huge nerd, so I especially enjoyed the references to video games, movies, and Dungeons and Dragons. While many of the plot points hinge upon pop culture references, I don't think you have to know about the references to enjoy the book. The plot works completely on its own as a fast-paced race to discover the easter egg. This is the perfect summer read that seems to have hit at the perfect time in our culture. Ready Player One is pure escapist fun that will have you reading late into the night.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2018, 24)

Reviews

A growing library of books and the thoughts they inspired.

Browse the Library

Showing reviews Sort by:

No reviews match those filters.

A Book A Week by the Numbers

14 Years of A Book A Week

— Book Reviews

— Authors Reviewed

— Books Reviewed This Year

8 Comments

Comments

LuanneJune 13, 2018 at 8:24 AM
I enjoyed this book when it came out Ethan. I want to see the movie as well. Thanks for refreshing my memory!
DiannaJune 13, 2018 at 7:48 PM
I'm on chapter 38 -- listening to it on Audible while I read it. Initially picked it up because my kids want to see the movie, and my daughter wanted to read it (I felt like I needed to preview it first.) I really like it, way more than I expected to!
Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerJune 18, 2018 at 12:26 PM
This has been in my the pile way to long! Great review Ethan.
Olivia's CatastropheJuly 1, 2018 at 4:37 AM
I actually own this one but haven't read the book and when I finally get around to it I'll make sure to see the movie afterward too. I don't think I will get a lot of the pop culture references admittedly, but it's nice to know my enjoyment won't depend on that alone.

A Book A Week

Reviews

Browse the Library

A Book A Week by the Numbers

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