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 September 2023

End of Watch by Stephen King

Friday, September 29, 2023

End of Watch by Stephen King

“End of watch is what they call it, but Hodges himself has found it impossible to give up watching" I'm an avid reader, so it's...

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Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

This year has been brimming with intriguing thriller releases, adding numerous titles to my ever-expanding to-be-read list. One such additio...

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Wellness by Nathan Hill

Monday, September 25, 2023

Wellness by Nathan Hill

Nathan Hill made a significant impact with his debut novel, The Nix , upon its release in 2016. The book, spanning numerous decades and hund...

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Friday Flicks: Red, White, & Royal Blue

Friday, September 22, 2023

Friday Flicks: Red, White, & Royal Blue

Representation matters. The presence of diverse and relatable characters in literature and media plays a crucial role in enabling individual...

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Down the Hill by Susan Hendricks

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Down the Hill by Susan Hendricks

In recent years, my fascination with crime fiction has evolved into a deep interest in the realm of true crime. The narratives that unfold w...

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In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Friday, September 15, 2023

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Many epic war novels echo the sentiment that war is hell. Despite my initial fascination with war-related fiction and nonfiction, I found ma...

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Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

Monday, September 11, 2023

Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

At the start of August, my family embarked on a journey from Texas to Wisconsin to commemorate my brother and sister-in-law's achievemen...

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Friday Flicks: The Wonder

Friday, September 8, 2023

Friday Flicks: The Wonder

After nearly a year, my "Friday Flicks" feature returns to review a movie on the blog. While my trips to the movie theater have be...

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Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

"Who can live on love alone?" Who are the authors you automatically gravitate towards? I have several favorite writers, ones I con...

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Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford

Monday, September 4, 2023

Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford

"On the Trail of the Lost, you may not find what you’re searching for, but you will find more than you seek." The legendary Pacifi...

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Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Friday, September 1, 2023

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead is one of those rare authors whose new books immediately jump to the top of my reading list. As the only living writer to w...

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