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.

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Book Review

Author Feature: Andrew Joyce

Friday, April 29, 2016

A Book A Week
Review / archive
My name is Andrew Joyce and I write books for a living. Ethan has been kind enough to allow me a little space on his blog to promote my new novel novel RESOLUTION: Huck Finn’s Greatest Adventure. I think its a good book, but what do I know? Anyway, I'm kinda shy about tooting my own horn. So I think I'll turn things over to my dog Danny---Danny the Dog. He always has a bad attitude and usually does not speak highly of me. But please understand that we co-exist as the old Soviet Union and the United states once co-existed. We tolerate each other. Without further ado, here's Danny. 

Andrew dragged me through the pouring rain so that I could be here to help him out. For a person that works with words for a living, he has very little to say in real life. He wants me to tout his book for him, but I don't think I will. I'm in a foul mood today, so this communiqué will be short. It's been raining for three days and three nights. One more day of this miserable weather and I'm going to have Andrew build us an ark. Well, maybe not, seeing as how we already live on a boat. We being myself, Danny the Dog and my human, Andrew. 

The Things about rain I don't like is that it's wet. It soaks your fur; it keeps you inside when you could be out chasing cats of running down a tantalizing scent. And to top it off, it brings thunder with it. Ant I don't like thunder! Another thing I don't like about rain is that one has to has to go outside to do one's "business." Hey . . . I can hold it. I'll wait until it's dry outside, but Andrew insists that I go out at least twice a day. Rain or shine. 

When It's raining, Andrew puts on some sort of yellow getup that keeps him dry, but does he have one of those things for me? Nope!

For three days now, he's taken me---against my will---outside with him in the rain. If I knew how to use a phone, I'd report him to the Humane Society. But I show him. When we come back, I jump up on the bed and roll around until I'm dry. I don't mind wet sheets, but for some reason Andrew does. 

So here I am trying to sell his book for him. And I know with a certainty that the big lummox is going to come to me when I'm done shilling for him and say, "Okay boy. Let's go for a walk." And I'll be thinking, "Okay, human; how about I just bite you instead?"

Here he comes. The next time we talk, I'll let you know if we went out in the rain or if I bit him. 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot---go out and buy Andrew's book and make him happy. 

This is Andrew again. On behalf of Danny and myself, I would like to thank Ethan for having us over. It's been a real pleasure. 


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