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 Non-fiction. Show all posts

The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber

Monday, February 17, 2025

The Mother Next Door by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber

As a mother, you’ll do anything to protect your child. Even as an adult, I know my mom is only a phone call away if I need her. It’s a sacre...

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How Sondheim Can Change Your Life by Richard Schoch

Friday, December 20, 2024

How Sondheim Can Change Your Life by Richard Schoch

Music has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories involve tinkering with the antique uprig...

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Beautiful People by Melissa Blake

Friday, June 21, 2024

Beautiful People by Melissa Blake

Some moments in life serve as powerful reminders of humanity's inherent goodness. Ironically, these instances often emerge from darkness...

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Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Monday, January 1, 2024

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

I don't typically make New Year's resolutions. The passage of time naturally ushers in changes, so I haven't felt the need for s...

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Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford

Monday, September 4, 2023

Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford

"On the Trail of the Lost, you may not find what you’re searching for, but you will find more than you seek." The legendary Pacifi...

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Con/Artist by Tony Tetro and Giampiero Ambrosi

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Con/Artist by Tony Tetro and Giampiero Ambrosi

I've always thought that my reading mood changes with the season, and that's certainly been true this month. I've mostly put dow...

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James Patterson by James Patterson

Saturday, November 19, 2022

James Patterson by James Patterson

When I think of authors who have helped sustain my weekly reading goal across the last decade, the first to come to mind is James Patterson....

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Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Monday, November 7, 2022

Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Looking out upon the night sky, it is easy to get lost in view of the stars. Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by the stars ye...

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Will by Will Smith

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Will by Will Smith

With the multitude of streaming services each vying for our attention through various content, it seems that the days of a smash box office ...

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Chasing History by Carl Bernstein

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Chasing History by Carl Bernstein

Where do you get your news? Like most of my fellow millennials, I mostly consume news from social media and on my phone. I'm grateful to...

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Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

"I would not have you descend into your own dream. I would have you be a conscious citizen of this terrible and beautiful world." ...

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White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

Monday, January 4, 2021

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

This year marks the ninth in which I plan to read and review a book a week. Over the years, I've been fortunate to read so many great bo...

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Rage by Bob Woodward

Monday, October 26, 2020

Rage by Bob Woodward

With the United States Election day only days away, I went into reading Bob Woodward's latest book Rage with a pretty clear idea of what...

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Love, Zac by Reid Forgrave

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Love, Zac by Reid Forgrave

"The truth is inconvenient. The truth could be painful. This is a game people love. But as a society, we evolve." Football has b...

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Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

"In the end, the courage of women can't be stamped out. And stories--the big ones, the true ones--can be caught but never killed....

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Me by Elton John

Friday, June 5, 2020

Me by Elton John

"When you reminisce about the good ole' days, you naturally see it through rose-tinted spectacles. In my case in particular I think...

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Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

"Because we do not know how to talk to strangers, what do we do when things go awry with strangers? We blame the stranger." This...

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The Gay Agenda by Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham

Saturday, May 2, 2020

The Gay Agenda by Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham

The history of LGBTQ+ people is one that is rich, but frankly, the masses are simply unaware of most of it. Sure, milestones like the repeal...

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