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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Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts

Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

Before succumbing to cancer in 2008, author Michael Crichton built a career on blending cutting-edge science with page-turning thrillers. It...

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Murder Island by James Patterson

Monday, November 11, 2024

Murder Island by James Patterson

Sometimes, a fast-paced, absorbing story is just what the doctor ordered. While I love intricate plots and well-drawn characters, every so o...

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The Ascent by Adam Plantinga

Thursday, January 4, 2024

The Ascent by Adam Plantinga

January brings many thrilling releases this year, unveiling new works from esteemed authors such as Rachel Hawkins, Stacy Willingham, and Ad...

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Texas Outlaw by James Patterson

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Texas Outlaw by James Patterson

Back in April, I was just getting used to the idea of working from home and living life in quarantine. I was really taking advantage of all ...

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Deep State by Chris Hauty

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Deep State by Chris Hauty

"Let's go. Not enough hours in the day to save the country." Haley Chill is no stranger to adversity. A small-town girl at h...

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Friday Flicks: American Assassin

Friday, October 6, 2017

Friday Flicks: American Assassin

"You go down out there, you're a ghost. There's nobody, nobody coming back for you." A couple months ago, I read America...

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The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan

Dr. Kate Philo is on an arctic expedition to discover frozen lifeforms. She works for a team of scientists who study cell reanimation. Bas...

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Out of Range by Hank Steinberg

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Out of Range by Hank Steinberg

Charlie Davis is a man who has settled. Six years ago, he was living a life of excitement and purpose. As a journalist, he was based out o...

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Friday, January 11, 2013

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

There is no denying, Suzanne Collins trilogy, beginning with The Hunger Games, has become a cultural phenomenon. Growing up, I can remembe...

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The Kings of Cool by Don Winslow

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Kings of Cool by Don Winslow

A couple years ago, Don Winslow made waves with his fast and edgy novel, "Savages", in which young drug "entrepreneurs...

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