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.

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.

Ben Hanson is no stranger to mistakes. Recently released from prison, he understands that he made errors in both his personal and professional life. Now, free from confinement and with new sobriety, Ben wanders though life, searching for some kind of meaning. When his uncle Denny passes away, Ben's father, Jack, invites him to move back to his hometown to help settle his late uncle's estate.

Upon his arrival, Ben is flooded with memories of his past. He recalls the tragic death of his older cousin, Wayne, a tragedy that still haunts his family. As he begins to delve into his uncle's estate, fragments of the past come to light, all adding to the mystery of Wayne's demise.

In the same town, Lauren Sheehan is also trying to rebuild her life. Escaping from a violent ex-husband and abandoning her medical career, Lauren has returned to her hometown in search of a fresh start. In the small town, it is now surprise that the paths of Ben and Lauren intersect. Having no true past relationship, the two slowly become interested in each other. As time passes, their troubled lives become intertwined, creating a connection that they could have never imagined. Together, they kindle a romance and attempt to move on with their lives before their negative past catches up with them.

Going into this novel, I was unsure of what to expect. Normally, I try to steer clear of any "romance" novels, but this story offered much more. By slowly presents fragments of the two characters lives, mostly through flashback from each character's recollections, Somerville provides just enough information to keep the reader wanting more. Intricately imagined, the characters seem like genuine people who have had a rough go at life. Drawn with a sense of reality and empathy, it is easy to get behind Ben and Lauren and to truly care about them. While the writing is really great, I will admit that there were times when the change in time and narrator got a bit confusing. In certain moments Somerville slowed the pace of the plot, focussing more on character development that advancing the narrative. Fortunately, this attention to character made it impossible to stop reading. At times, this novel can be hard to digest. The themes of family drama, second chances, and suspenseful drama permeate this fascinating novel making it a completely engaging read.

For more information visit the author's website http://www.patricksomerville.com/,
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/review/RGD6H4SQD3GSK/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm,
and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13208908-this-bright-river.

(week 36, book 40)

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12 Comments

Comments

UnknownSeptember 7, 2012 at 10:26 PM
i would love to win! i have gone to the amazon review and clicked yes

tuckersaver at hotmail dot com

thank you for the giveaway
AnonymousSeptember 8, 2012 at 10:16 AM
I've been to Amazon and clicked "yes" I'd love to win.

damahurin at yahoo dot com
KHAIRU DHANANISeptember 8, 2012 at 1:58 PM
Hey Ethan ,

Nice review. Hope I win this time.

parwaizriaz@gmail.com
ken ohlSeptember 8, 2012 at 7:41 PM
Would like to win I said yes at the end of the review. Thankyou, Ken
AnonymousSeptember 8, 2012 at 7:51 PM
I indicated the review was helpful.

sweeps785(@)yahoo(dot)com
Barb K.September 9, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Yes I clicked yes the review was helpful.
Me4Wrest@gmail.com
Beverly S.September 10, 2012 at 9:04 AM
I went and read your review of This Bright River at Amazon....and yes, it was helpful (which I clicked on). :) Sounds like a good book...yet another one to go on my "to read" list that just keeps getting longer. Wink. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

csizemore@centurytel.net
SandraSeptember 11, 2012 at 4:31 PM
Hi Ethan,
I went to Amazon, clicked yes it was helpful to your review, and remembered that I had read something by him before. It was "The Cradle" that he wrote back in Mar. 2009 and was a really good book so I'm sure this one is just as good! Thanks for this nice giveaway!
westwindsoftx@yahoo.com
MichaelSeptember 17, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Hi Ethan
Pretty much done the steps required.
Loved Patrick's first book and heard a bit of controversy about this new book so can't wait to read it!

enquirescontests@hotmail.com
EthanSeptember 22, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Congratulations to Jamie, Rachel, and Barb! They will each receive a copy of "This Bright River" by Patrick Somerville. Thanks to everyone who entered this contest and especially to the publisher for providing copies of this novel. Be sure to check back for more exciting giveaways.
EthanSeptember 25, 2012 at 2:18 PM
Due to a lack in response from winners and a deadline set by the publisher, I was forced to select 2 additional winners to replace 2 of people listed above. Congratulations to Sandra and Khairu.

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.

Contact