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.

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I'm always happy to hear from readers, publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers.

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

The year 2019 has come and gone, and we are left with the promise of a new decade. The latter half of the year saw tremendous professional growth for me, but my blog suffered because of it. I just didn't have time to get my reviews written and posted. To both make up for the lost time and to start 2020 off in a productive light, I've decided to start the year off with a review that didn't get posted last year. I'll probably intersperse reviews of books I read last year amongst the books I'm reading now and mark them with the appropriate corresponding year at the bottom of each post. Here are my thoughts on Stephen King's latest book The Institute.

It started on a whim. Tim was aboard his flight to New York when the airline began offering cash and free flights to bump someone from the flight. As the price grew, Tim became more and more eager to accept the offer. Finally, he did. He stumbled into a small town and took a job as a night knocker. And just like that, the story shifted to something completely different.

Young Luke is starting to face the fact that he isn't like his classmates. Not only is he the "smart kid", but he might actually be a genius. As his parents prepare to move him to the kind of school that will foster and challenge his unique intellect, Luke is excited about what the future holds. Everything changes when he is awakened in the night by several intruders. He is captured and taken to the Institute. His room there is a poor facsimile of his own room at home, the kind of place that gets all the details correct except for the ones that truly matter. Devoid of the love and support of his family, Luke turns to the other children in the place. They too have been stripped of their lives and are subjected to strange tests of both physical and mental ability.

At this point, I read a Stephen King novel based purely on him being the author. Over the years, he has earned the status of "must-read" based upon his ability to mix complex characters with engaging plots that challenge me as a reader. Much like Luke, I went into The Institute with no idea what I was getting into. King bookends Luke's story with that of Tim, a structural device that surprised me at first. I was so engrossed in Luke's journey that I had all but forgotten about Tim. Rest assured, both narrative threads come together in a way that is both satisfying and fresh. There's a layer of the supernatural to the story that is classic King. He grounds the fantasy to reality through a cast of characters that I instantly connected to. The past couple of years have been a kind of Stephen King renaissance with countless movie adaptations, TV series, and new books from the author. With The Insitute, King proves he has plenty more to offer his voracious readers.

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

(2019, 36)

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17 Comments

Comments

Samantha@WLABBJanuary 1, 2020 at 5:54 PM
Maybe your blog suffered, but professional success is a great thing. Congratulations! I am not a horror reader, but I do admire the stories that come from Stephen King, and the love people have for his work.
VerushkaJanuary 2, 2020 at 5:10 AM
Congratulations on your professional success, Ethan! It's a hard balance, isn't it? As for King, the man does not quit! I feel like he released 2, maybe three books last year?
Tanya @ Girl Plus BooksJanuary 2, 2020 at 5:18 AM
Exciting to hear that your career is going so well, Ethan. Congratulations!

It's been a long time since I've read anything by King, but my husband read this one a month or so back and really enjoyed it. We talked about it (since I knew I probably would not read it) and it sounded fascinating.
Esther @ BiteIntoBooksJanuary 3, 2020 at 11:46 AM
I totally feel ya, King is a must-read for me too! I can't wait to read this one...
Shooting Stars MagJanuary 3, 2020 at 7:37 PM
I've read a few King novels, but nothing too recent so I need to check one out. I'm glad you enjoyed this!

Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerJanuary 4, 2020 at 8:56 PM
I listened to this and really enjoyed it.
Olivia's CatastropheJanuary 7, 2020 at 3:26 AM
I am glad professional business went well last year but I am also looking forward to seeing you around on the blog more! I have started my first ever Stephen King fiction novel and look forward to trying more soon... this included!
BarbJanuary 7, 2020 at 8:59 AM
Glad you enjoyed this one. I bought it when it came out because King is an auto-buy for me. You are right, he seems to be everywhere right now. I looking forward to watching The Outsider which starts on HBO this weekend. Have you read that one?
Rachel @Waves of FictionJuly 2, 2020 at 9:52 AM
I've only read one Stephen King, but I've watched several film adaptations. His stories are definitely unique. I'm curious about how Tim and Luke's story intersects.

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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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