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.

Find Me Elsewhere

Send a Message

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Archive for January 2025

The Clinic by Cate Quinn

Friday, January 31, 2025

The Clinic by Cate Quinn

Meg has spent years numbing herself to the world. Working undercover in a casino, she uncovers scams by day and plays high-stakes poker by n...

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Penitence by Kristin Koval

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Penitence by Kristin Koval

Our fleeting week of winter arrived in South Texas, bringing with it freezing temperatures and even a rare snow day. As I busied myself with...

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Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

Friday, January 24, 2025

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

What are the ingredients that shape who we are? Identity isn't defined by a single concept or role. It’s a complex patchwork woven from ...

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The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

Monday, January 20, 2025

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

After devouring Freida McFadden's breakout thriller The Housemaid in a single sitting last month, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I d...

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Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Friday, January 17, 2025

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Samantha Harvey's 2023 novel Orbital captured widespread acclaim upon its release, culminating in a Booker Prize win that solidified it...

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Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

“Life is a fairytale that rarely hands out happy endings.” Grady Green’s world crumbles on what should have been the happiest day of his lif...

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The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

Friday, January 10, 2025

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

New Orleans, a city brimming with life, culture, and music, is overshadowed by a wave of dread. The Butcher—a sadistic serial killer—has mad...

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All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

It’s not hard to envision a future where our changing climate irreversibly alters the places we call home. I’ve spent more days in shorts an...

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The House of Cross by James Patterson

Saturday, January 4, 2025

The House of Cross by James Patterson

As we enter 2025, with a promising lineup of exciting new book releases on the horizon, I’m kicking off my reading year with a title from la...

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