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 Legal Thriller. Show all posts

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray

Have you ever found yourself in a situation you felt completely unprepared to face? That's exactly how Leila feels when she's assign...

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Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson

Monday, March 9, 2026

Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson

James Patterson is already known as one of the bestselling authors of all time, but in recent years, he’s taken on a different role, collab...

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Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

Friday, February 27, 2026

Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

I’m continuing my attempt to read more of the books I already own rather than constantly chasing the latest shiny new releases. This week, I...

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False Witness by Phillip Margolin

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

False Witness by Phillip Margolin

I was first introduced to Phillip Margolin’s legal thrillers with last year’s An Insignificant Case . That novel—about an unlikely duo, a qu...

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The Widow by John Grisham

Monday, October 27, 2025

The Widow by John Grisham

When I was a young reader in high school, struggling to slog through my required literature (looking at you, The Canterbury Tales ), my mom ...

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An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

Friday, November 8, 2024

An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

Election cycles are always full of headline-grabbing news, especially when a polarizing candidate dominates the stage with viral moments tha...

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Camino Ghosts by John Grisham

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Camino Ghosts by John Grisham

With the holiday weekend behind us, summer reading has officially arrived. I enjoyed kicking off my summer reading with John Grisham's l...

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Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

Friday, February 23, 2024

Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

As a dedicated reader, I have as much interest in authors and their writing processes as I do in their books. Discovering the various method...

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The King of Torts by John Grisham

Friday, January 12, 2024

The King of Torts by John Grisham

John Grisham holds a special place on my bookshelf, serving as a cornerstone of my love for books. Back in high school, I was grappling with...

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The Exchange by John Grisham

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

The Exchange by John Grisham

My history with John Grisham's novels dates back to high school. Ever since my mother first introduced me to a stack of his legal thrill...

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Suspect by Scott Turow

Friday, December 2, 2022

Suspect by Scott Turow

Believe it or not, we are in the final month of 2022! Please tell me I'm not the only one wondering where the time has gone! December te...

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With Prejudice by Robin Peguero

Monday, July 18, 2022

With Prejudice by Robin Peguero

As a society, we take on many civic responsibilities as a necessary burden of being part of a functioning community. For example, we begrudg...

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Survivor's Guilt by Robyn Gigl

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Survivor's Guilt by Robyn Gigl

It is pretty rare these days to find myself starting a new series. Simply put, I have more books to read than I have time to. Committing to ...

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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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By Way of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

By Way of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl

I'm always on the search for the next great thriller. I just can't get enough of the suspenseful page-turning stories that keep me r...

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The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

Thursday, August 6, 2020

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

"Maybe I shouldn't tell you. Maybe I should just leave the past alone. Let it die with me." The small seaside town of Neapol...

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