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

As a horror enthusiast, I like to weave in spooky reads throughout the year. With the arrival of Fall, my craving for the genre has intensified. So, I eagerly accepted when the publisher offered me Johnny Compton's Devils Kill Devils as an audiobook. The chilling premise immediately pulled me in, quickly satisfying my appetite for a gripping, terrifying read.

Sarita has always been shielded by a guardian angel, a mysterious presence she calls Angelo, keeping his existence hidden from the world. But even angels can’t remain unseen forever. Lately, Sarita has started to wonder whether Angelo is truly a force for good or something far more sinister. When he takes the life of someone she loves, Sarita is confronted with a chilling reality. To survive, she must confront the darkness lurking within herself and embrace the very evil she’s been trying to escape.

I went into Devils Kill Devils without any expectations, and right from the start, I felt a creeping sense of unease. Johnny Compton has a way of drawing readers in with a deceptively simple narrative, gradually revealing layers of terror that tighten their grip as the story unfolds. Imani Jade Powers’ narration brings Sarita to life, infusing Compton's characters with vivid energy. With the novel set in South Texas, the familiar locations added an extra sense of authenticity for me. While the ending felt a bit grander than the buildup might have warranted, it still delivered a chaotic and genuinely chilling conclusion. Overall, it was an intriguing start to my lineup of spooky reads for the season.

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

(2024, 71)

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12 Comments

Comments

Lark@LarkWritesSeptember 30, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Nice to start off autumn with such a chilling read. I love how you describe the narrative as 'gradually revealing layers of terror'. Books that build that kind of threatening tension are so great. I'll have to watch for this one at my library. Hope your next spooky read is just as good if not better. :D
Carole's Random LifeSeptember 30, 2024 at 6:22 PM
I have been curious about this one. It sounds like it would be worth picking up. It is the perfect time of year for these kinds of reads!
BlodeueddOctober 1, 2024 at 3:00 AM
A chaotic and chilling conclusion. You got me there, that sounds quite different
Samantha@WLABBOctober 2, 2024 at 1:51 PM
Way to kick off the spooky season with a winner.
Ashley SappOctober 3, 2024 at 10:52 AM
What a great way to start off the spooky season. This sounds like a truly compelling and chilling read.
Rachel @Waves of FictionOctober 3, 2024 at 7:02 PM
I love spooky anytime, but more so this time of year! Happy to hear this was a win. I'm very curious!

A Book A Week

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A Book A Week by the Numbers

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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