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 Murder. Show all posts

They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough

Monday, August 31, 2026

They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough

Is that a chill in the air, or is it just wishful thinking? Reality check: it's still the end of August, and I live in Texas, but I'...

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The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson

Monday, August 17, 2026

The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson

I do this thing where I really enjoy a book, vow to read the sequel, and then somehow wait years before I actually get around to it. It'...

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Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson

Born a mere three minutes apart, Penny and Nix were inseparable. The twins looked nearly identical, but their personalities couldn’t have be...

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Inside Man by John McMahon

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Inside Man by John McMahon

I read a lot of books, so committing to a series can be surprisingly difficult. I’ve started countless series over the years, but it’s rare ...

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Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day

Friday, January 9, 2026

Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day

All good country songs are tinged with a bit of heartache, and Dahlia “Doll” Devine has lived through enough pain to write a thousand of the...

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Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

Friday, January 2, 2026

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

I’m kicking off 2026 with a book that’s been on my radar since it was published at the start of last year (and how strange is it to think of...

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The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

Sunday, December 28, 2025

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

I’m ending my reading year with a book that’s been on my radar since it was released earlier this year. Jeneva Rose's  The Perfect Marri...

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The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier

Friday, September 5, 2025

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier

How long do you give a book to win you over? For me, it’s usually within the first 50 pages. I can tell pretty quickly if I’m going to conne...

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Rage by Linda Castillo

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Rage by Linda Castillo

I’ve heard my reading friends rave about Linda Castillo’s books for years. She’s been on my TBR list for just as long, but I’d never gotten ...

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The Barn by Wright Thompson

Monday, March 3, 2025

The Barn by Wright Thompson

Last spring, I traveled to Washington, DC, to celebrate my birthday. With its convenient public transportation, incredible food scene, and d...

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Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb

Monday, February 10, 2025

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb

Nora Roberts was a constant presence in my home growing up, with many of my earliest memories of my mom reading involving one of her paperba...

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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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Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

Friday, October 18, 2024

Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

I’ve always credited John Grisham’s novels with sparking my love of reading. As a younger reader, I devoured most of his political thrillers...

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Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell has captivated readers for decades with her Kay Scarpetta series. The books follow the medical examiner as she investigate...

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Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

Friday, September 13, 2024

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

I've always had a soft spot for classic murder mysteries. It's a genre that shaped my love for reading and often provides a go-to es...

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The Maid by Nita Prose

Monday, August 26, 2024

The Maid by Nita Prose

I’ve just returned from a weeklong Caribbean cruise filled with rest, relaxation, fun, and, of course, plenty of reading. As we sailed from ...

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House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Childhood trauma is inevitable, though its impact varies for each individual. Stella Hudson's trauma, stemming from losing her mother to...

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Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron

Monday, June 24, 2024

Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron

I've always had mixed feelings about long-running series. On the one hand, I appreciate the depth of following characters across multipl...

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Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

We've officially settled into summer, which only means one thing: Riley Sager has a new book out this week! Since his debut with Final G...

Read the review →
Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

In his latest novel, Granite Harbor , Peter Nichols masterfully blends elements of familiarity and originality to craft a gripping murder my...

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