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 2023

Top 10 Favorite Reads of 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Top 10 Favorite Reads of 2023

As we bid farewell to 2023, it's time to acknowledge the books that defined this remarkable year. I delved into a total of 93 books, mar...

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Billy Summers by Stephen King

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Billy Summers by Stephen King

Next year will begin Stephen King's sixth decade as a bestselling author (with his initial hit, Carrie, hitting shelves in 1974). In tha...

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Monday, December 25, 2023

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Merry Christmas! Whether you partake in the festivities or not, I wish you a day filled with joy, tranquility, and a sense of community. I s...

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Friday Flicks: Christmas with the Kranks

Friday, December 22, 2023

Friday Flicks: Christmas with the Kranks

What are your go-to holiday films? I have a list of favorites that I make sure to watch each year, and sometimes, I find myself extending my...

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Absolution by Alice McDermott

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Absolution by Alice McDermott

Like many wives of the era, Tricia finds herself in Saigon in 1963. Her husband has taken a job contributing to the war efforts, leading the...

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Winter Prey by John Sandford

Monday, December 18, 2023

Winter Prey by John Sandford

Winter Prey , the fifth installment in John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series, weaves the frosty, unforgiving winter setting into the na...

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Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

Friday, December 15, 2023

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

As the holiday season unfolds, Madeline Martin is haunted by the tragedy that struck her community over a decade ago. She remains the sole s...

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The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

What is your favorite holiday tradition? For me, decorating, enjoying festive music, and savoring delicious holiday dishes are a few of my m...

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Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

Monday, December 11, 2023

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

The summer of 1974 proved to be a turbulent period in Boston. A scorching heatwave blankets the city, mirroring the simmering civil unrest b...

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Friday Flicks: A Haunting in Venice

Friday, December 8, 2023

Friday Flicks: A Haunting in Venice

Actor and director Kenneth Branagh has reinvigorated the murder mystery genre with his acclaimed portrayal of Agatha Christie's renowned...

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Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton

Countless cold cases remain consigned to an eternal lack of resolution, their evidence fading into the mists of time due to insufficient res...

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Dark Music by David Lagercrantz

Monday, December 4, 2023

Dark Music by David Lagercrantz

In 2013, David Lagercrantz found himself in a remarkable position when he was tasked with continuing Stieg Larsson's renowned Millennium...

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Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Friday, December 1, 2023

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Do you believe in giving second chances? I'm an avid reader, devouring numerous books yearly, and I'm always looking for the next gr...

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Unnatural Death by Patricia Cornwell

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Unnatural Death by Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series has consistently been one of my preferred choices for crime fiction reading. Her skillful integ...

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Holly by Stephen King

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Holly by Stephen King

Stephen King needs no introduction. His name has been synonymous with bestselling novels for decades. However, it's worth noting that Ki...

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When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey

This year, a significant part of my reading has been dedicated to exploring the works of new authors I hadn't previously encountered. Ve...

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Last Call by Elon Green

Friday, November 17, 2023

Last Call by Elon Green

Over the past few months, I've plunged deeply into the realm of true crime literature. Something about how these books capture real-life...

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The Exchange by John Grisham

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

The Exchange by John Grisham

My history with John Grisham's novels dates back to high school. Ever since my mother first introduced me to a stack of his legal thrill...

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Cross Down by James Patterson

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cross Down by James Patterson

Let's address the controversy surrounding the latest Alex Cross novel upfront. A quick look at the cover reveals two significant departu...

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Friday, November 10, 2023

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry has gained a reputation as a genuine literary sensation, a rare book that strikes a chord with eve...

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