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 2024

Top 10 Favorite Reads of 2024

Monday, December 30, 2024

Top 10 Favorite Reads of 2024

With 2025 just around the corner, it’s time for one of my favorite yearly traditions. Since 2012, I’ve written a review for every book I’ve ...

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The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

Friday, December 27, 2024

The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

As the year winds down, I’ve spent my days leisurely working through one final novel. My introduction to Alice McDermott’s reflective storyt...

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The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley

Monday, December 23, 2024

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley

How is the week of Christmas already? Does anyone else feel like the holiday season has flown by? Honestly, it feels like Thanksgiving was j...

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How Sondheim Can Change Your Life by Richard Schoch

Friday, December 20, 2024

How Sondheim Can Change Your Life by Richard Schoch

Music has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories involve tinkering with the antique uprig...

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The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

What’s the last book you couldn’t put down? I get through my TBR pile steadily, squeezing in pages whenever possible and ending each day wit...

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Trial by Ambush by Marcia Clark

Monday, December 16, 2024

Trial by Ambush by Marcia Clark

How do you find your next read? Over the years, I've developed several ways to discover books, but nothing compares to a recommendation ...

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Alter Ego by Alex Segura

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Alter Ego by Alex Segura

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has transformed comic book stories from niche serials into mainstream cultural staples. While I’ve enjoyed my ...

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Citizen by Bill Clinton

Monday, December 9, 2024

Citizen by Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics. While his personal controversies once dominated headlin...

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There There by Tommy Orange

Saturday, November 23, 2024

There There by Tommy Orange

For all its cultural significance, Thanksgiving remains surprisingly absent from much of literature, especially when compared to the abundan...

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Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Holiday stories often conjure images of warmth, joy, and the unshakable hope of the season. Yet the ones that resonate most deeply with me e...

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Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

Monday, November 18, 2024

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

Childhood is a time of self-discovery, a phase of learning who we are, what we love, and how we fit into the vast world. It’s often marked b...

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Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Reflecting on the impact of presidents throughout American history, it’s clear that some figures hold a particularly consequential place in ...

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Murder Island by James Patterson

Monday, November 11, 2024

Murder Island by James Patterson

Sometimes, a fast-paced, absorbing story is just what the doctor ordered. While I love intricate plots and well-drawn characters, every so o...

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An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

Friday, November 8, 2024

An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

Election cycles are always full of headline-grabbing news, especially when a polarizing candidate dominates the stage with viral moments tha...

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Until August by Gabriel García Márquez

Monday, November 4, 2024

Until August by Gabriel García Márquez

By the time of his passing in 2014, Gabriel García Márquez had already secured his place among the literary greats. Works like One Hundred Y...

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Run by Blake Crouch

Friday, November 1, 2024

Run by Blake Crouch

I became a Blake Crouch fan back in 2016 with Dark Matter . Ever since, I've eagerly devoured each of his releases, captivated by his kn...

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By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

Monday, October 28, 2024

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

Think back to the classic literature you read in school. How many were written by women? While authors like Harper Lee, Mary Shelley, and Ka...

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'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

Monday, October 21, 2024

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

October wouldn’t be complete without reading at least one novel by the master of horror, Stephen King. The iconic American author has ventur...

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Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

Friday, October 18, 2024

Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

I’ve always credited John Grisham’s novels with sparking my love of reading. As a younger reader, I devoured most of his political thrillers...

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You Better Watch Out by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

You Better Watch Out by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth

Christmas is a time for giving, togetherness, and sharing the season's joy. While I’m a sucker for the heartwarming holiday stories that...

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Curdle Creek by Yvonne Battle-Felton

Monday, October 14, 2024

Curdle Creek by Yvonne Battle-Felton

Curdle Creek has long been a sanctuary for its residents, an all-Black community seemingly frozen in time since the late 1800s. This quiet, ...

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The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

Friday, October 11, 2024

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

When I read Hidden Pictures around this time last year, Jason Rekulak's fresh spin on classic horror tropes had me hooked. That page-tu...

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