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

Your information will only be used to respond to your message.

Archive for October 2025

Ghosts of Grayhaven by Amy Newbold and Lark Wright

Friday, October 31, 2025

Ghosts of Grayhaven by Amy Newbold and Lark Wright

As October draws to a close (seriously, how is the month already over?), I’m wrapping up my annual attempt to cram in as many spooky reads a...

Read the review →
King Sorrow by Joe Hill

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

King Sorrow by Joe Hill

Some authors are born to tell stories. Joe Hill practically had no choice. As the son of Stephen King, he could’ve coasted on a famous name,...

Read the review →
The Widow by John Grisham

Monday, October 27, 2025

The Widow by John Grisham

When I was a young reader in high school, struggling to slog through my required literature (looking at you, The Canterbury Tales ), my mom ...

Read the review →
Twice by Mitch Albom

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Twice by Mitch Albom

Who is Alfie Logan? He’s sitting in an interrogation room in the Bahamas, accused of rigging a roulette game for a staggering two million do...

Read the review →
The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn

Friday, October 17, 2025

The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn

We’re deep into October now, and while the Texas heat refuses to loosen its grip, I’m not letting that stop me from sinking into some spooky...

Read the review →
Hole in the Sky by Daniel H. Wilson

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Hole in the Sky by Daniel H. Wilson

In the spring of 2011, I was the kind of reader who mostly read out of necessity. My mom, a teacher, had instilled in us the value of readin...

Read the review →
Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell

Monday, October 13, 2025

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell

For 35 years, Patricia Cornwell has thrilled, educated, and horrified readers with her bestselling series featuring forensic pathologist Kay...

Read the review →
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

Richard Chizmar’s Chasing the Boogeyman has been sitting on my TBR for years. I first discovered Chizmar’s work through his collaboration w...

Read the review →
Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan

If ever there were an award for the most unexpected author–director pairing, Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan might take the cake. Spa...

Read the review →
Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

It’s the 1990s, and video rental stores are king. In a small Iowa town, the mom-and-pop Video Hut holds its own against the threat of a shin...

Read the review →
Spread Me by Sarah Gailey

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Spread Me by Sarah Gailey

October is here at last, and with it comes my annual dive into spooky reads. It doesn’t quite feel like fall in South Texas yet—the summer h...

Read the review →
Powered by Blogger.