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.

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.

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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 as possible. Inevitably, my “to be read” stack is still taller than the list of books I’ve actually finished, but with one day left in the month, I was determined to squeeze in just one more. The perfect pick appeared in Ghosts of Grayhaven by Amy Newbold and Lark Wright. It’s a quick, ghostly novella tailor-made for the season. Even better, Lark Wright happens to be one of my most trusted book-blogging buddies. Knowing her taste, I had a feeling I was in for a treat.

Mariah has arrived in Grayhaven, a small Pacific Northwest town that feels like it was plucked straight from a Hallmark movie, with a singular focus. She’s been hired by an anonymous client to locate the grave of Bartholomew Krane, chip away at its inscription, and recite an ancient spell. It sounds absurd… if she actually believed in any of it. For Mariah, it’s simply another job.

But things change when she meets Zeb, a local who’s inherited his family’s long-standing duty to protect the very grave Mariah’s been sent to deface. When she carries out her assignment, Mariah unknowingly unleashes a vengeful spirit with centuries-old rage. Now, she and Zeb—along with his loyal dog, Moose—must find a way to put the spirit to rest before the entire town becomes its next victim.

Ghosts of Grayhaven is the perfect little novella to cap off spooky season. It’s a quick read with a clever plot that flows effortlessly from page to page. Sure, it leans on a few familiar tropes, but that’s part of its charm. Author duo Amy Newbold and Lark Wright, sisters who were inspired by their shared hobby of exploring old cemeteries, infuse the story with both heart and atmosphere. I was instantly drawn in and read the entire novella in a single sitting. Ghosts of Grayhaven delivers adventure, humor, a touch of will-they-won’t-they romance, and just the right amount of spooky to satisfy even the most cautious readers. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best stories to end spooky season aren’t the scariest ones, but the ones that make you smile when you turn the final page.

For more information, visit Amy Newbold's website, Lark Wright's blog, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2025, 86)

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18 Comments

Comments

Lark@LarkWritesOctober 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Thank you so much for such a kind and positive review, Ethan! I so appreciate your support and friendship. I love our blogging community. It's the best! :D
Mary KirklandOctober 31, 2025 at 5:42 PM
That does sound good for this month. Happy Halloween!
Lux G.November 1, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I know, right? Where did the year go? We've got two months left and then it's 2026? This book sounds perfect for the season.
Roberta R.November 2, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Ghosts? Maybe I should add it to my pile...ghosts are definitely my jam 🙂. And how cool one of us wrote this!
Ashley SappNovember 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
I loved this story too! I'm already ready to reread it! :D
Samantha@WLABBNovember 2, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Oh, Mariah! How did she not know this was a trap. Sounds like nice little spooky treat.
Rachel @Waves of FictionNovember 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I downloaded Lark’s novella as well! I just haven’t had a chance to read it yet. It does sound charming with just the right amount of spooky! I need to get to it soon!
BlodeueddNovember 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Perfect for spooky season then
Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerNovember 3, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Sold. I do love the spooky season!

A Book A Week

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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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