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.

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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.

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I'm officially in summer reading mode. That means I'm looking for the kind of book that I can devour in a single sitting. The faster-paced, the better it is. If it is thrilling, all the better. Does it have to make perfect sense? Of course not! I want pure popcorn reading. Entertain me, and I'm a happy reader. Enter R.J. Jacobs's horror thriller Always the First To Die. It's a quick-paced story about a former horror film actress forced back to the set of a cursed production. Did I mention that it all takes place amongst a raging Florida hurricane? It all culminates into one wild ride.

Lexi swore she would never return to the Pinecrest Estate. The dilapidated mansion in the Florida Keys is the site where she filmed a horror film many years ago. The shoot was infamous for many reasons. The director was known as a horror genius and had an unconventional approach to capturing his horrific ideas on film. The resulting movie is regarded as his very best, though it is the death on set that the feature is most commonly remembered for. Years later, Lexi's husband, the son of the famed director, returned to the estate to finish writing his book on how to survive a horror film. He was never heard from again.

Why, you might ask, is Lexi returning to the scene of so much tragedy and heartache? Her teenage daughter has run away to Pinecrest in search of answers about her father and take on the starring role in her grandfather's sequel to the infamous horror film. Desperate to save her daughter from the very nightmare she has strived to forget, Lexi drives full force through a hurricane to bring her daughter home. If she's not careful, history will be destined to repeat itself.

Always the First to Die sees R.J. Jacobs combine pulpy horror with breakneck suspense into a novel that is impossible to stop reading. I'll be the first to admit that the action and entire scenario are a bit over the top, but I simply didn't care. This is a summer action movie of a novel, and it really owns its genre. Jacobs alternates between the past and present, giving us insight into the events that lead to the present scenario. Each chapter ends on a mini cliffhanger, urging us to keep reading just one more. Before I knew it, I had completely devoured the book. The ending buckles a bit under the weight of itself, but again, this did little to change my enjoyment of it. If you're looking for a solid entertaining read for the summer, look no further.

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

(2023, 37)

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22 Comments

Comments

AshJuly 7, 2023 at 2:41 PM
This looks amazing. I love horror books like this. I'm the same way, I don't care if it's cheesy, over the top, doesn't make sense. It's all entertaining.

Ash @ Essentially Ash
Bookstagram | Personal Insta | TikTok | Goodreads
LarkJuly 8, 2023 at 10:14 AM
Summer is the time for fast and fun popcorn reads! I have this one on my TBR list, so I'm glad to know it's an entertaining summer horror thriller. :D
Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerJuly 8, 2023 at 4:54 PM
You had me at horror...lol
Samantha@WLABBJuly 8, 2023 at 5:13 PM
I can almost feel the buildup of all these elements alongside the hurricane. Sounds intense in a good way
Rachel @Waves of FictionJuly 9, 2023 at 1:22 AM
Yes! I thought this was a fun popcorn thriller too! Sort of the over-the-top campy horror flick that keeps your attention to the end. Glad to see you enjoyed it!
Carole's Random LifeJuly 9, 2023 at 6:45 AM
I am pretty sure that I have this book. It sounds like I need to dust it off and read it!
Shooting Stars MagJuly 11, 2023 at 10:22 AM
Definitely seems like a good read for the summer. And yes, I do love a quick, enjoyable mystery in the summer time.

Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
KarenJuly 11, 2023 at 1:26 PM
I've read several good reviews for this one. Fast paced reads are perfect for the summer! Even if they don't make total sense lol

Karen @For What It's Worth
BlodeueddJuly 12, 2023 at 5:39 AM
I do like the sound of summer reading mode!
VerushkaJuly 12, 2023 at 7:24 AM
Oh, I agree -- there's a place and a season for over the top, imo!
Tanya @ Girl Plus BooksJuly 13, 2023 at 12:54 PM
Sometimes over the top makes me roll my eyes, but sometimes - usually when everything else is working so well - I am more than willing to just go with it and enjoy the ride. So glad you enjoyed this one!

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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.

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