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 2021

Top 5 Favorite Reads of 2021

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Top 5 Favorite Reads of 2021

Before I begin celebrating my 10th year of blogging, I'm taking a moment to reflect on some of the great reads that I enjoyed in 2021. I...

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The Sacrament by Olaf Olafsson

Monday, December 27, 2021

The Sacrament by Olaf Olafsson

 "Why is it always our mistakes that linger in our memory?" How many books have you read this year? I'm wrapping up my ninth y...

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Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire

Friday, December 17, 2021

Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire

I vividly remember the first time my mom took me to see The Nutcracker. We dressed in our Sunday best and made our way to downtown San Anton...

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When Christmas Comes By Andrew Klavan

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

When Christmas Comes By Andrew Klavan

"In heaven, the great God will judge me, but here on earth I must leave it to you." This time of the year, I'm craving any and...

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Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson

Monday, December 6, 2021

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson

I've long been a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross series. Each year, my mom gives me the latest novel as a Christmas gift. With t...

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Ramsay in 10 by Gordon Ramsay

Friday, December 3, 2021

Ramsay in 10 by Gordon Ramsay

Between work, running errands, and all the extraneous activities that come with the holidays, it can be nearly impossible to find the time t...

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Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell

I've been reading Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series off and on since my aunt first gave me a copy of Body of Evidence when I ...

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Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

 "Is there anything lucky about surviving a tragedy?" What's a book that has been sitting on your shelf for years? We're a...

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Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson

Earlier this year, Rachel Hawkin's thriller The Wife Upstairs  capitalized on the idea of secrets between spouses. I mused then that no ...

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The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

Saturday, November 13, 2021

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

"Collectors don't let butterflies fly free. It defeats the purpose." Welcome to the garden, a massive glass-enclosed piece of ...

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Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

What are you afraid of? As October comes to an end, we celebrate the one night a year where ghouls and goblins are actually welcomed. As I s...

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Friday Flicks: Dune

Friday, October 29, 2021

Friday Flicks: Dune

Earlier this year I faced my fears and finally tackled the literary behemoth that is Frank Herbert's Dune . The book is a sprawling tale...

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Come Closer by Sara Gran

Monday, October 25, 2021

Come Closer by Sara Gran

"So you think you're possessed, it said. Don't we all, from time to time." It can be easy to ignore the things that are ri...

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Ice and Stone by Marcia Muller

Friday, October 22, 2021

Ice and Stone by Marcia Muller

Ice and Stone,  the 34th installment in Marcia Muller's prolific Sharon McCone series, begins with a disclaimer from the author. Muller ...

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The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

Monday, October 18, 2021

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

After the tease of cooler weather a couple weeks ago, this week it seems like the autumnal air is finally here to stay. I've been trying...

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Deadly Cross by James Patterson

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Deadly Cross by James Patterson

With as many books as I read each year, it is pretty rare for me to keep up to date with a series. There are just too many books to read wit...

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The Perfect Ruin by Shanora Williams

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

The Perfect Ruin by Shanora Williams

Sometimes it is best to go into a book blind. I won a copy of Shanora Williams's latest novel The Perfect Ruin in a Goodreads giveaway t...

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The Chain by Adrian McKinty

Sunday, October 10, 2021

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

"They have all sipped from the Drink Me bottle. They have all unwound the clew of red thread. They have all fallen through the looking ...

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You by  Caroline Kepnes

Monday, October 4, 2021

You by Caroline Kepnes

What is the last show that you binged? I recently ripped through season one of You on Netflix. I know I'm late to the party with this on...

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A Song Everlasting by Ha Jin

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

A Song Everlasting by Ha Jin

What defines who you are? I've played piano for most of my life, studied music through two college degrees, and have worked as a profess...

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My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

 "Horror is not a symptom. It's a love affair." As Texas finally begins to trade the insufferable summer heat for the cooler w...

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