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

Your information will only be used to respond to your message.

Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Carry Me to My Grave by Christopher Golden

Monday, July 27, 2026

Carry Me to My Grave by Christopher Golden

There's probably very little we wouldn't do for our family. For Malcolm, that means keeping watch beside his dying mother's bed ...

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Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

Friday, July 10, 2026

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

There's one in every family. The kid who couldn't wait to leave home. The one people still ask about, even though they already know ...

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Heather by Caitlin Mullen

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Heather by Caitlin Mullen

I love it when an author can transport you to a specific place and time. That's exactly what Caitlin Mullen accomplished with her debut...

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These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

Friday, May 1, 2026

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

What comes to mind when you think of the word sanctuary ? In a world filled with constant noise—politics, work, even the demands of family—h...

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Make Sure You Die Screaming by Zee Carlstrom

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Make Sure You Die Screaming by Zee Carlstrom

What’s in a name? In today’s divided world, even the act of choosing what to call someone can spark controversy. Pronouns, preferred names,...

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Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

Like many others, my first encounter with Eowyn Ivey’s writing was through her extraordinary debut novel, The Snow Child . With its rich dep...

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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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The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

Friday, December 27, 2024

The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

As the year winds down, I’ve spent my days leisurely working through one final novel. My introduction to Alice McDermott’s reflective storyt...

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Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

Friday, May 24, 2024

Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

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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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Amidst the relentless Texas heat this week, I'm capitalizing on the opportunity by seeking refuge indoors, accompanied by the soothing e...

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Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach

The loss of a child brings the kind of inconsolable grief that defies comprehension. I was glued to the news yesterday as the reports of a h...

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Let's Not Do That Again by Grant Ginder

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Let's Not Do That Again by Grant Ginder

With each passing day, Americans seem to grow more politically divided than ever. Gone are the days of reaching across the aisle. Coming tog...

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A Song Everlasting by Ha Jin

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

A Song Everlasting by Ha Jin

What defines who you are? I've played piano for most of my life, studied music through two college degrees, and have worked as a profess...

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Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

"All creatures know love, Dad used to say. All creatures." I have a vivid memory of walking through the wooded trail of my college...

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All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

 "American history is truly the greatest fable ever written." Representation matters. Hearing the voice of a person like you, seei...

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Idaho by Emily Ruskovich

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Idaho by Emily Ruskovich

There's power in the idea of a place. Think about it for a second. Things inevitably change, people come and go, but a place can remain....

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The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

"Guilt is a little like grief. A cancer of the soul. They both hollow you out from the inside." The rural community of Chapel Crof...

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41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush

Saturday, January 23, 2021

41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush

With the US Presidential Inauguration now behind us, I thought it would be the perfect time to read a book about a former president. In 41: ...

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Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

I think it is safe to say that for many of us, this Christmas was anything but ordinary. My Christmas traditions usually consist of travelin...

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Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

"One minute there was a God with the whole world in his hands; the next minute the world was plummeting, ceaselessly, toward an ever-sh...

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