As I’ve mentioned a couple times now, I’ve started reading on the treadmill again (though not exclusively). I’ll start including the treadmill info in my posts starting this coming Sunday to keep me motivated (I already had three books read and ready to post about before I started up on the treadmill again). But I’ll post my exercise progress with the book stuff starting this Sunday.
Spun! by JL Merrow is the last (so far?) of The Shamwell Tales series of books each featuring different MCs set in the same village. We get fun cameos of some of the past MCs in subsequent books, and in Spun!, both of the MCs featured (one rather heavily) in the last book, Out! And the Out! MC’s get fairly prominent side character parts in this one. So for at least these last two books, it might be best to read them in order.
The MCs in this book are David and Rory, and their story is told through both of their 3rd-person POV’s.
On to the snippets! They were chosen mostly (same as with Out!) because they made me laugh or because they highlighted (IMHO) a lovely descriptions or use of metaphors!
[I loved all of Gregory’s appearances! David’s POV:]
“What do you think, Gregory?” he mused aloud. “To flaunt, or not to flaunt, that is the question.”
Gregory, being a teddy bear of very little voice, said nothing.
“I think not,” David said decisively.
[Wonderful description (David’s observation):]
As Shamwell streets went, Pig Lane was definitely on the low-budget end of the spectrum, with almost a council-estate aesthetic. The houses were small and huddled together, seeking safety in numbers. Their tiny front gardens were landscaped with less of a regard for horticulture and more for the storage of children’s toys and surplus white goods. A Methodist church stood halfway up, high gables pointing heavenward and austere frontage suggesting sternly that other afterlife destinations were also an option should one fail to repent—of what, precisely, David wasn’t sure, but he was fairly certain he’d done it.
[More lovely description (David’s observation):]
The hall, which was large enough for two grown men and a teddy bear in the same way that the average elevator could hold thirteen people—i.e. only if they were extremely good friends, or at any rate comfortable with the prospect of becoming so by the end of the experience—led to the stairs. Off to the left was a door leading to the living room, which was where Rory directed David with a wave of his hand.
[Lewis is Rory’s ex’s current husband (and a bit of a jerk) (David’s observation):]
Lewis just stood there with his arms folded. His face wore the sort of patronising smile politicians always gave while letting their opponent speak, suggesting they knew far better and were only holding back from interrupting because they were far too well bred. There was even a hint of a headshake.
[Rory’s POV:]
“Can I ask you a question?” Rory blurted out, his mouth having apparently decided his brain couldn’t be trusted to get round to it.
David appeared, his expression wary and his eyes a bit on the red side, which made Rory want to punch something. Preferably that Xav git. The impulse didn’t fade when David gave him a twisted smile that wouldn’t have convinced his teddy bear. “Ask away. But if it’s about what happened to the last Babybel cheese, I reserve the right not to answer.”
The Shamwell Tales
Standalone stories set in the same village.
Spreading more book love!
Here are more of my…
✓ recent reads
✓ current reads
✓ re-reads
and/or
✓ want-to-reads
(all genres included)
About My #Treadmill / #AmReading Posts
I started out with this being a Sunday thing, but sometimes I’d rather not mash multiple books into a single post, so now, you never know when you might see one of these posts.
Rather than give a true “review,” which I’m not entirely comfortable doing as an author myself, I share snippets from books I’ve read and enjoyed, letting the authors’ words speak for themselves.
As you’ve possibly noticed, if you’ve been following along, I highlight snippets for reasons of my own which might veer from what is often seen. Sometimes my highlights have more to do with a paragraph simply impressing the heck out of me for its fabulous writerly technique, other times it has to do with the lovely way it gives subtle insight into the story/characters. Still other times simply because it made me laugh.
Anyway, I sometimes add a little commentary, but not always, which is not in any way, shape, or form, to be taken as unwritten commentary. Most likely it just means I’m short on time and/or my brain doesn’t feel like putting out the effort in that particular moment.
Also, I’m going to try to spread the book love by tacking on covers of more books at the end of the post that I’ve either recently read, am currently reading, or want to read. Not seeing a full post with snippets for any of these books is not a commentary on anything other than how much time I have available in a day either to read or to create a post about what I’ve read. It might also mean I listened to the audiobook only or that it’s a reread that I’ve featured previously.
Happy reading!