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 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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What are your must-have ingredients for a perfect summer read? I want a book that captures my attention from the start, the kind of book I can't stop reading. I need to fall for the characters and have someone to root for. Most importantly, I need an intelligent book that doesn't take itself too seriously. Bring on some humor! My last few reads have been tense thrillers and a war epic, so I was desperately in need of that perfect summer read. Lucky for me, a copy of Byron Lane's new novel Big Gay Wedding arrived at my door courtesy of his publisher. It was exactly the kind of book I was looking for.

Chrissy's life has seen a lot of change in the past few years. Her son Barnett moved from the rural Louisianna farm to the "heathen coasts" of Los Angeles. Her husband passed away, leaving Chrissy alone to run the family farm. Now she makes ends meet by hosting school tours of the farm. Despite all the change, Chrissy hangs onto the hope that one day Barnett will move back to take over the family estate. He's coming home for a visit this weekend and has told her that he has something he wants to tell her. Could this be the thing Chrissy has been waiting for? Is Barnett finally moving back home?

Barnett's return to the farm he grew up on is filled with trepidation. He loves his mom, but his coming out to her caused their relationship to become distant. He knows his mom loves him, but her deep-rooted faith prevents her from truly accepting him for who he is. Knowing this only makes Barnett more nervous. You see, he's come home to introduce him to Ezra the man he loves with all of his heart. As if that's not enough, the couple is planning to get married. They hope to have the wedding at the family farm. The wheels have been put in motion to have the event this weekend. Will Chrissy press the breaks, or finally accept her son and the man he loves?

Big Gay Wedding sees Byron Lane write a novel that wears its heart on its sleeves. As I read the opening chapters, I couldn't help but think of the work it took my own mom to come to terms with me being gay. There was a period when both of us weren't sure how to communicate with each other, but our unconditional love won out. Lane doesn't shy away from the complex realities of homophobia. This fictional town is laced with well-meaning Christians who just don't know what to make of the loud and proud gay couple who are hosting a large event in their town. Lane laces the entire book with humor that had me audibly laughing at several points in the story. His characters are larger than life and will have you rooting for them even during their most absurd moments. Ultimately Big Gay Wedding is a novel about the unyielding power of love. Gay, straight, or somewhere in between, this is the kind of aspirational story that will appeal to summer readers of all kinds.

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

(2023, 34)

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12 Comments

Comments

Samantha@WLABBJune 30, 2023 at 3:22 PM
This sounds really sweet and charming. I am with you. I need characters to root for and seriously, bring the funny. I feel like humorous books are under appreciated.
LarkJuly 1, 2023 at 10:02 AM
My must reads for a perfect summer read include all the those same ingredients: good writing that immediately pulls you in, characters I can root for, fast-paced fun, but smart, too, and lots of humor. Sounds like this one is a winner all the way around. :D
Mary KirklandJuly 2, 2023 at 11:40 AM
Any book that can keep me enthralled, and entertained is always a good book.
Rachel @Waves of FictionJuly 3, 2023 at 10:58 AM
I do enjoy a book that can make me laugh while tackling more serious topics. It sounds like this book hit the spot for you and was more special because of the way you could relate personally.
DianaJuly 5, 2023 at 12:52 PM
This book sounds absolutely charming!
BlodeueddJuly 5, 2023 at 3:05 PM
I totally need a book that grabs me from the start too

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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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