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 Coming of Age. Show all posts

Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen

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Kin by Tayari Jones

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The Lion's Run by Sara Pennypacker

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Friday, January 30, 2026

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Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Friday, November 28, 2025

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Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

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Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

Monday, November 18, 2024

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The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

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Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura

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Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

Friday, May 24, 2024

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Take a moment to consider the individuals who have left the most significant imprint on your life. Who comes to mind? Perhaps it's frien...

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Brother by Ania Ahlborn

Monday, May 13, 2024

Brother by Ania Ahlborn

I've always had a penchant for horror. There's an undeniable allure to the spine-tingling excitement of a good scare, especially whe...

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The Morningside by Téa Obreht

Friday, May 3, 2024

The Morningside by Téa Obreht

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The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

Since my early reading days, I've been captivated by mysteries that entice me with an enigmatic puzzle and keep me engaged until the fin...

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The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

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The Great Gimmelmans by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Friday, November 3, 2023

The Great Gimmelmans by Lee Matthew Goldberg

How do you decide on your next book to read? Being a book blogger and reviewer, I regularly receive offers from authors and publishers, pres...

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Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe

Monday, May 15, 2023

Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe

Do you remember the moment you lost your childhood innocence? For some people, that passage into adulthood is a vague series of events that ...

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Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

Friday, August 5, 2022

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

How do you choose your next read? I'm typically a mood reader. I choose whichever book strikes my fancy at any given moment. This strate...

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Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance is a book that has been on my radar for several years now. Going into it, I knew nothing about it beyond the f...

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