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 Alex Cross. Show all posts

Cross & Sampson by James Patterson and Brian Sitts

Monday, February 9, 2026

Cross & Sampson by James Patterson and Brian Sitts

The Alex Cross series has been a mainstay on my reading list ever since I first picked up Mary, Mary as a high school student. For the bett...

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Return of the Spider by James Patterson

Monday, November 17, 2025

Return of the Spider by James Patterson

There’s a certain sense of nostalgia I get every time I pick up a new Alex Cross book. I was first introduced to James Patterson’s bestselli...

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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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Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson

What's in a name? When James Patterson's publisher initially provided me with a copy of his latest Alex Cross novel, the book bore t...

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Cross Down by James Patterson

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cross Down by James Patterson

Let's address the controversy surrounding the latest Alex Cross novel upfront. A quick look at the cover reveals two significant departu...

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Triple Cross by James Patterson

Monday, August 21, 2023

Triple Cross by James Patterson

As an avid reader devouring at least one book every week, striking a balance between my towering TBR list and ongoing series can be quite th...

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Roses Are Red by James Patterson

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Roses Are Red by James Patterson

Reading a book each week leaves little time for me to circle back and reread a book that I previously enjoyed. There have been a few humorou...

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Fear No Evil by James Patterson

Monday, June 27, 2022

Fear No Evil by James Patterson

James Patterson knows how to write a thriller. He wouldn't be as successful as he is if he didn't. Still, the bestselling author isn...

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Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson

Monday, December 6, 2021

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson

I've long been a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross series. Each year, my mom gives me the latest novel as a Christmas gift. With t...

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Deadly Cross by James Patterson

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Deadly Cross by James Patterson

With as many books as I read each year, it is pretty rare for me to keep up to date with a series. There are just too many books to read wit...

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Criss Cross by James Patterson

Friday, November 13, 2020

Criss Cross by James Patterson

"Long-buried images of my past rose up, blurry at first, and then gradually coming into focus, all of them deeply disturbing." Rea...

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Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson

It can be fun to look back on your past and see what things about you have changed. Beyond the obvious things (age, weight, career come to m...

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The People vs. Alex Cross by James Patterson

Friday, February 15, 2019

The People vs. Alex Cross by James Patterson

"Are you ready to play a game for us?" James Patterson is no stranger to causing controversy amongst his fans. His prolific outp...

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Cross Kill by James Patterson

Friday, June 15, 2018

Cross Kill by James Patterson

There's no denying the mixed quality of James Patterson's massive output. I've always maintained that his best books continue to...

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Cross the Line by James Patterson

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Cross the Line by James Patterson

Despite a diminishing quality in his plentiful output, James Patterson's Alex Cross series has remained an annual reminder of all the re...

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Cross Justice by James Patterson

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Cross Justice by James Patterson

The Alex Cross series by prolific author James Patterson has remained a consistent favorite of mine over the years. It has become a kind of ...

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Hope to Die by James Patterson

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Hope to Die by James Patterson

It has become a kind of genre standard recently for mystery author's to end their series novels with a cliff-hanger. Patricia Cornwell...

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Cross My Heart by James Patterson

Monday, March 16, 2015

Cross My Heart by James Patterson

For over twenty years, the Alex Cross series has been the flagship of author James Patterson's prolific output. While the bestselling ...

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Friday Flicks: Alex Cross

Friday, June 21, 2013

Friday Flicks: Alex Cross

A review of a book to film adaptation. I've been a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross series since I first read Mary, M...

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Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson

James Patterson is known as much for his fast paced, escapist thrillers as he is for his prolific output and controversial use of co-autho...

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