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 Adventure. Show all posts

Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams

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Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams

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Murder Island by James Patterson

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Murder Island by James Patterson

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The Lost Tomb by Douglas Preston

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The Lost Tomb by Douglas Preston

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Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Monday, January 22, 2024

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

The enduring fascination between humanity and the vast sea has a rich literary history. Renowned authors like Ernest Hemingway and Jules Ver...

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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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Sea Wife by Amity Gaige

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Sea Wife by Amity Gaige

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

We are at a point in pop culture where nostalgia seems to be the hot topic. Star Wars and Jurassic Park rule the box office while revived ...

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The Tower by Simon Toyne

Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Tower by Simon Toyne

In 2011, I was introduced to the religious conspiracy thriller, Sanctus, by Simon Toyne. While Sanctus shared some similarities with the R...

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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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NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Monday, May 20, 2013

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Author Joe hill has been on my radar for quite some time. Years ago, I read his fantastic collection of short stories and have been follow...

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Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Author Neil Gaiman has earned both critical and commercial success with his original stories and ability to adapt to various mediums. His ...

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Bloodline by James Rollins

Friday, June 29, 2012

Bloodline by James Rollins

First time mothers are supposed to spend the nine months before birth in a blissful state of anticipatory preparation. With only a few wee...

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The Sleepwalkers by Paul Grossman

Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Sleepwalkers by Paul Grossman

I have a soft spot for anything that has to do with World War II. Ever since first learning about the events that took place during that t...

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Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Friday, February 3, 2012

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

I came upon this book through the recommendation of a friend. He warned me that it would be unlike any novel I had read before, so I enter...

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Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason

As the end of the second world war draws near, an American plane crashes into an Icelandic glacier. The U.S. Army sends a team of soldier...

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