May 2023 Reads

I was in a rut until I wasn't - testing out some reader memoir titles. 

Anyway May reads: 

Engrossing Reads

Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery - I loved this book, the setting, and everyone in it. It hit at the right time and pulled me out of a slump! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 27

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune - Yes, I finally read this after it sat on my shelf for over a year. I loved it! Not my typical but what I needed at the time. Paperback, own, put up in shore house rental library

Zero Days by Ruth Ware - Yes, this is a Ruth Ware up in the engrossing category and yes it's me writing this. You are not in the wrong place. I liked this! That’s saying a lot for me and Ruth Ware books. Quick read with good pacing - the why behind it was a little out of my grasp but I enjoyed the telling of it and really liked Jack Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, this book comes out June 27

The Summer House by James Patterson, Brendan DuBois - A quick down and dirty read, which I expect and rely on from the co-authored James Patterson books. Used paperback, own

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune - I had no expectations of this so I was pleased at how much I liked it. I skimmed a few reviews after I was done and man romance readers are fucking harsh critics. OCNJ library hard cover

Passed the Time Just Fine

Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould - Unexpected throughout, it reminded me a little of the Blake Crouch Wayward Pines trilogy but younger. I enjoyed Gould's writing like I did with her first novel. Not liking Beck or Avery or Riley made this one a little harder but still a good story. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 20

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer - Whew, a difficult read because of the subject matter of course. The pacing is rough here - very slow with a lot of inconvenient plot action in the first 2/3 and quick to close the last third but the writing is good as is the story and the main character.  OCNJ library hardcover

Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur - Family drama but make it clever-I liked delving into this family a lot. I knew nothing about the book going in except the name and the setting and it did not disappoint.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes June 27

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon - People tend to hate second person books. I am not one of them. This was a lot to process and stressful AF though. What would you do to stay alive. Unhinged shit, unimaginable. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes June 20

Close Her Eyes (Detective Josie Quinn #17) by Lisa Regan - This book! I am not recovered. One of my favorite series has punched me in the stomach. If you have read it, PM me or email me. It's not for public discussion LOL Kindle, own - I always pre-order books in this series

The Island Sisters by Micki Bethelot Morency - Abuse is a difficult subject matter no matter how you look at it, and this book has its share - this was really well done and not gratuitous. I appreciate the simultaneously delicate and powerful writing and the deep family by choice female friendships and resilience in this novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 20

What Remains by Wendy Walker - The lunacy of this woman throughout and the reckless choices. I kept reading to figure out WTF was happening, which is in itself a draw? Some of the connections were tenuous at best. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda - Standard Megan Miranda fare with some interesting takes and twists. I rolled through this. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me/Did Not Finish

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop - Rachel is difficult to like. Not going out and recommending it, but it did make me think about how memory actually operates. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 6

The Night it Ended by Katie Garner - The story idea is good and I really liked the interview/transcript interspersed in chapters. I probably hit this book at the wrong time in an it's not you, it's me scenario - I'm over unreliable female narrators, and Madeline in particular was extremely hard to get any sort of grasp on. It was also repetitive up front to make SURE we knew she was unreliable.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 27

What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman - Unlikeable main characters, a Desperate Housewives vibe, and slower pacing made this one tough for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes June 20

Save What's Left by Elizabeth Castellano - DNF. I could not with the main character, like for even 15 minutes. Free advanced copy from Netgalley, returned without feedback

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Happy happy birthday to KVSR today!

What have you been reading?

The best meats for dogs

All dogs need protein, and one of the easiest sources to get that protein is through high-quality meats. Dogs are, by nature, carnivores, although there are many dog owners who have their dogs on a strictly vegan diet. 

If you're not one of those, here are some of the best choices of meats you can get for your dog! 

Veggies vs. meat

It is important to state from the start that vegetables are part of a good, healthy, and balanced diet for dogs - but the proteins from veggies and meats are different. Dogs need a high-protein diet because they need the amino acids (just like us humans - although we can go vegan etc., with fewer problems). 

Meats tend to have a higher biological value for dogs than vegetables, so adding meat proteins to their diet just makes sense. 

So what meats are the best for your dog? 

Photo by Kabo on Unsplash

Lamb and venison

Lamb dog food has become more popular in recent years because it has a good level of fat that is ideal for working or busy dogs. Venison and lamb both have the benefit of being pasture fed and often grown in a healthier environment than chicken and some beed (although they are both great). 

A healthier growing environment gives meat that is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, B3, and B12. 

If your dog is a bit more sedentary, then lamb might not be the best choice for regular eating, but it can work brilliantly as a treat meal. 

Poultry 

One of the most common pet foods is chicken, closely followed by turkey. Not only are these generally quite affordable, but they are tasty too. No matter if you make your dog food from scratch or you buy it in bags - chicken is a winner in the protein sector. 

Chicken is packed with B6 and B3, selenium, and phosphorus, making it a great option. Another great thing about chicken dog food is that it can be used for dogs who may have digestive issues. 

Always check to make sure that the food you choose has a high level of poultry instead of fillers - often, the cost can be deceptive. 

Beef

Even the word beef conjures up the idea of thick cuts of juicy meat, and yet it can be a nice middle ground between the higher price of things like venison and the cheaper chicken and other poultry. 

Beef is commonly found in most dog foods, and it also has a wide range of benefits too, like high protein, zinc, selenium, B3, B6, and B12, as well as iron. 

While red meat has some negative impacts if humans consume it too often, it hasn't been shown to cause the same issues in dogs. Not only that, but you can select the amount of fat on the cut of beef based on the lifestyle of your dog. 

Pork

Pork doesn't always make the list of great dog foods, but it has high protein, iron, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, and some B vitamins. Like a lamb, it is on the fattier side - which is great for dogs that are active or working dogs. For older dogs and those who like to take a nap rather than a walk, pork could quickly pile on the weight. 

Something that you should be mindful of is that pigs are susceptible to stress, and for the best and most tender meat choosing organic and ethically sourced cuts will give your dog the maximum benefit. 

The condition is called porcine stress syndrome and changes the meat in terms of benefits and taste. So if you want to give your dog pork as a treat, then try to buy the best you can. 

Fish 

Not only is fish great as a source of protein, but they also have plenty of oils that help with a dog's coat, eyes, ears, and joint health. Not to mention they are high in vitamins too. The issue with fish is that some dogs (although not many) are allergic to some types, so you will need to be careful and test them out first to make sure that your dog doesn't have a reaction to them. 

There are also some fish that have high levels of mercury, so try to avoid things like marlin, broadbill, and swordfish - or only in small doses. 

The meats that you choose for your dog have a significant impact on their overall strength, so it is a good idea to be prepared to make your own balanced dog food packed with veggies, grains, supplements, and meats. 

Getting your dog a good diet is part of being a responsible pet owner; here are some more tips: Life According to Steph: How to be a responsible pet owner.

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This post was written with the Life According to Steph readers in mind