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 2019

The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

"True authority and true leadership come from knowing who you are and not pretending to be anything else. Robert Iger, Bob as everyon...

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Bloody Genius by John Sandford

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Bloody Genius by John Sandford

Its that time of year again. No, I'm not talking about fall this time. Time for the latest Virgil Flowers novel, of course! For over a d...

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The Mansion by Ezekiel Boone

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Mansion by Ezekiel Boone

Although it has officially been fall for a couple of weeks now, it seems that Texas has missed the memo. Sure, we flirted with a few cooler ...

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Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson

It can be fun to look back on your past and see what things about you have changed. Beyond the obvious things (age, weight, career come to m...

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Akin by Emma Donoghue

Monday, October 14, 2019

Akin by Emma Donoghue

"Weren't all of us bridges for each other, one way or another?" I've been a fan of Emma Donoghue's writing from the ...

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The Warehouse by Rob Hart

Friday, October 4, 2019

The Warehouse by Rob Hart

"Remember, freedom is yours until you give it up" If ever there was a book that perfectly captured the predicaments of our moder...

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Friday Flicks: It Chapter Two

Friday, September 27, 2019

Friday Flicks: It Chapter Two

I love a good horror movie. There’s something fun about getting sucked into the suspense of a spooky story that plays with your imaginatio...

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Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

Monday, September 23, 2019

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

Laura Lippman has consistently been one of my "go-to" authors for years. With each new title in her ever-growing catalog, she blen...

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The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

Monday, August 5, 2019

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

A couple of years ago, I was blown away by Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad . That award-winning novel combined the dark hist...

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Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Friday, July 26, 2019

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

There aren't many buildings as illustrious and glamorous as The Bartholomew. With breathtaking views of Central Park, an esteemed list o...

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The Body Lies by Jo Baker

Monday, July 15, 2019

The Body Lies by Jo Baker

With the influx of review requests from authors and publishers alike, it has become a rare occasion for me to stumble upon a new book with n...

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Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Monday, July 8, 2019

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

I can't believe that it is already July. Where has 2019 gone?! Even though I had to work this Independence Day, I still snuck in some ti...

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I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney

Monday, July 1, 2019

I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney

Sometimes things are just too good to be true. As an avid reader, I love to browse my local library's digital catalog. I usually listen ...

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If She Wakes by Michael Koryta

Friday, June 21, 2019

If She Wakes by Michael Koryta

I've been a fan of Michael Koryta for years. When I first started my blog, I was enamored with the way he mixed supernatural elements in...

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Recursion by Blake Crouch

Monday, June 17, 2019

Recursion by Blake Crouch

"That's what it means to be human--the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other." Several years ago, Crown Pu...

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Just One Bite by Jack Heath

Friday, June 14, 2019

Just One Bite by Jack Heath

Sometimes a book jumps onto your radar and completely surprises you. I've been busy keeping up with some ARC's that publish soon, so...

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Ladies Who Punch by Ramin Setoodeh

Monday, June 10, 2019

Ladies Who Punch by Ramin Setoodeh

The View has graced televisions across the US for over twenty years, becoming as well known for talking about the news as it has for making ...

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Your Life Is Mine by Nathan Ripely

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Your Life Is Mine by Nathan Ripely

"That's when life can feel most chaotic, when things that you aren't controlling keep falling into place..." Last summer...

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Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline

I'm back from an extended trip to Europe, and boy do I have some reviews to share! I decided not to take my MacBook with me on the trip,...

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Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia

Friday, April 19, 2019

Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." -Robert Frost Expectations c...

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The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow

Monday, April 15, 2019

The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow

There's something to be said about an author who takes the time to research their topic to such an extent that they are able to create a...

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Friday Flicks: Pet Sematary (2019)

Friday, April 12, 2019

Friday Flicks: Pet Sematary (2019)

Over the last several years, horror movies have seen a resurgence in the public eye. Series like The Conjuring films have proven to be both ...

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The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

Monday, April 8, 2019

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

"The world's an evil place, my darlings. . ." Author Minka Kent has been on my radar for several years now. Many of my booki...

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