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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Book Review

Dexter Is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay

Sunday, February 12, 2012

A Book A Week
Review / archive
It has been said that the birth of your first child is the kind of event that shapes the rest of your life. Your priorities shift as you learn to put the newborn's needs before your own, and the whole worlds seems like a much brighter place to live in. For Miami's local serial killer, Dexter Morgan, the birth of a young daughter ignites emotions he never new he possessed and threatens to disrupt his "Dark Passenger". 

As the novel opens, Dexter is, surprisingly, in a state of blissful awe, following the birth of his daughter. Readers of the previous installments will recall that, while Dexter originally got involved with his wife Rita in an attempt to hide who he really is, he has found that he actually cares for her and her two children, both of whom seem to harbor "Dark Passengers" of their own. As he recognizes that he is responsible for the well-being of his family, Dexter vows to end his homicidal acts of vengeance.

Unfortunately for Dexter, he is called to help investigate the disappearance of a high school girl who seems to be caught up with a group of people who think they are vampires. When the body of another teenage girl is discovered, Dexter realizes that is dealing with full blown cannibals. As he races to help save the kidnapped teen, Dexter must face his own demons and choose between the perfect family life and the darkness inside of him. 

This is the fifth novel in the popular series by Jeff Lindsay, and this was the best book in the series by a long shot. While the previous installments all contained snappy dialogue, a fascinating main character, and fast pacing, they all left me feeling as if they had ended too soon, without a proper conclusion. In this novel, Lindsay manages to keep all of the things that worked in the other ones, while adding a renewed depth to the characters and the mystery that drives the story to a satisfying conclusion. As with the other novels, the bright Florida setting provides the perfect backdrop to juxtapose this truly dark tale. For the first time, Lindsay allotted some time to develop the characters outside of the Dexter Morgan Family arc, and this made them be something more that simply plot points. I really enjoyed this novel, and I look forward to reading the next book in this fascinating series. 

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

(2012, 8)
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Comments

  1. Matthew SelwynFebruary 13, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Really interesting review. I've been watching the television series, and started the first book a while back but never got through it. I think watching the tv series has kind of ruined it for me, know what happens and all!

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    1. EthanFebruary 13, 2012 at 7:20 AM

      The first book is the only one that follows the series, and even the end of the first book differs drastically from the show. I think it is interesting to compare what happens in the show and how the author chooses to tell the story.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 13, 2012 at 10:15 AM

      I feel that people tend to be "Dexter Book" devotees or "Dexter Series" fanatics, depending on to which you were exposed first. I can't really get through the show but I love the books. My sister is obsessed with the show but didn't like the books so much.

      Delete
  2. ThinkFebruary 13, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    You received 2 blog awards! I wanted to share your blog because I really like it. Hope you don't mind. I hope you participate so I can see what blogs you choose. Go here to check everything out!

    http://thinksbooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-two-awards.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. hbjgvhuogyihpoFebruary 14, 2012 at 10:56 PM

    Great review. I've watched the TV show a few times, and I just got the first book in the series so I'm looking forward to that. Anyways, I can't wait until I get to this book so I can read it...

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    Replies
    1. EthanFebruary 15, 2012 at 10:18 AM

      Thanks for reading! I have really enjoyed this series.

      Delete
  4. Jonathan WilhoitFebruary 18, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    Awesome review. I've never watched the TV series, but I've heard a lot of good things. Do you watch the show as well, or do you mostly just read the books?

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    Replies
    1. EthanFebruary 18, 2012 at 9:31 AM

      I was a fan of the books before I watched the show. It has been interesting to see the different ways the characters are dealt with in the two mediums.

      Delete
  5. UnknownMarch 13, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    Thank you for reviewing this book! It has been languishing on my shelf for months as I go about reading other books. I will have to actually sit down and read it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EthanMarch 14, 2012 at 10:01 PM

      It is definitely worth a read, and it only took me a couple of hours to fly through it!

      Delete

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