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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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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Have a question, a recommendation, or just want to talk books? Those messages are welcome, too.

We've only got a few days until Christmas, and I'm struggling to get all of my preparations in order. The past week has seen me unexpectedly purchasing a new car and spending the last several days sick in bed. Needless to say, I'm a bit behind on all things holidays. But things are beginning to get back on track. I'm basically done with my shopping (thanks Amazon!), I only have a few more days of work, and I've gotten in some really great Christmas reads. The one advantage to being home sick is you have plenty of time to catch up on reading! I quickly read through Jenny Colgan's latest book, Christmas on the Island.

The holidays can be challenging for anyone, but this year promises to be even more stressful for Flora. She lives on the island of Mure where she runs the Seaside Kitchen. Even though the tourist season has long passed, business is still booming. Ever the savvy businesswoman, Flora keeps a fresh stock of fruitcake that the locals are devouring. Business aside, she has an even larger dilemma. Flora is pregnant and isn't sure how to tell her boyfriend Joel. How will he react to this Christmas surprise?

Besides the more family driven drama of Flora, Colgan touches upon the more topical subject of political refugees. Dr. Saif has fled war-torn Syria with his two sons. The small family is slowly learning to assimilate into their new home, but the matriarch of the family is still missing. Colgan doesn't stray from the harsh realities of this subject. There is one scene that was particularly difficult to read and a bit out of place in the book. That being said, her portrayal of the realities of refugees is a stark reminder that not every family gets a picture perfect Christmas.

Overall, Christmas on the Island is a delightful read that manages to provide a character-driven drama that blends holiday fun with the realities of life. This is the third book in the series, so I'd definitely recommend reading the other two first. I didn't realize this was a series when I started, and the sheer amount of characters and implied backstory was pretty tough to juggle at first. Once I got everyone squared away, it was easy to slip into the drama that was unfolding. Christmas on the Island ended up being the perfect book to get me through a few sick days at home and to propel me into the holiday season.

For more information, visit the author's website, publisher's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
This review is part of a TLC Book Tour. Check out the full tour schedule here!

(2018, 43)

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Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerDecember 19, 2018 at 3:01 PM
This sounds like a delightful holiday read. Do you know I've never tried fruit cake. have you?

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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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