In Powder Blue

If you're a fan of crime novels, you know the names Dennis Lehane, Michael Connelly, Mario Puzo, Gillian Flynn, Nicholas Pileggi, and others. If you're not yet familiar with the name Nikolas Pleiadi, you probably will be soon. 

I went back to Pleiadi's debut novel, In Powder Blue, which I had started and stopped recently. I guess I just wasn't in the mood the first time because it's an excellent story. It follows Vincent LoCicero, who at age 12, after losing his mother in the South Tower on 9/11, is drawn into a world of crime and addiction by his uncle. 

The setting is Levittown, Long Island. And Powder Blue refers to Vincent's father's 1970s powder blue Mercedes Benz. Both the town and the car become, if not actually characters themselves, powerful literary devices that carry the story on their backs.

Levittown is one of the first and largest post WWII mass-produced suburbs. Built during the period between 1947 and 1951, it brought hope of home ownership to many Americans. But by the end of the 20th century, the town and the hope had begun to deteriorate. The Mercedes, a recurring image in the story, represents memory, especially of Vincent's mother, and hope, hope of breaking out of Levittown and the drug/crime culture. 

The novel contains the emotional character development of Mystic River, the violence of The Godfather, and the grittiness of the tv series "The Sopranos." all of which I count myself a huge fan. The writing is flawless, except for the fact that I didn't understand some of the Levittown lingo, but that didn't stop the story.

Pleiadi, who grew up in Levittown, now lives in North Carolina. The novel, while not actually autobiographical, draws on his experiences as a former addict in post 9/11 Levittown. In Powder Blue is his debut novel. I truly hope there's more to come.

“This whole thing (the novel) is for the people who didn’t make it…friends I lost to addiction, grief that never got spoken, families like mine that cracked down the middle and kept going anyway.” Nikolas Pleiadi

Reports of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

 Today marks three weeks that I have been dealing with this flu virus. The good news is that it feels like it's receding. Much less congestion, coughing, and sneezing. But I'm still pretty weak. Jesse is pretty much back to normal and back at work. 

So I haven't done a lick of quilting in these three weeks. But I have done some reading. Below are the books I've read during my lying in.

Revenant by Carolyn Haines When a construction crew uncovers the bones of five women beneath a Biloxi nightclub each missing its ring finger, reporter Carson Lynch sees her chance to resurrect a dying career—and maybe herself. But what begins as an investigation into a forgotten crime soon turns personal. This is a re-release of one of Carolyn's earlier works published under a pen name. Very good murder mystery.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid It is the early 80s. The main characters, Joan and Vanessa, are two of the first women ever accepted into astronaut training at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The training is rigorous and challenging, and the two women feel pressure to work twice as hard as their male counterparts simply because of their gender.

As if the training program doesn't complicate their lives enough, Joan and Vanessa fall in love, which they must keep secret as gay relationships are strictly unacceptable to NASA and grounds for dismissal in the 80s. It also complicates Joan's family relationships, which have been somewhat shaky already.

Both women finish their training and are assigned to space missions aboard the shuttle. I won't go into this since I wouldn't want to spoil the excitement for anyone who wants to read the book. Suffice to say that no book about ghosts, witches, vampires, or serial killers has had my heart racing like reading about the space travel. I am definitely not astronaut material. The blast off alone would finish me. 

Reid does an excellent job of putting the reader in the hearts and minds of these two characters. I felt like I was right there with them during their space missions. And the complications of their relationship touched my heart. Near the end of the book, their troubles had me reaching for the tissues.

I loved this book, one of the best I've read in a while.

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose Sarah Morgan is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Washington, DC. Her husband, Adam, a failed author, has grown to resent his wife's meteoric success.For almost two years, Adam has been having an affair with a young waitress. When her body is discovered at the couple's lake house, Adam is arrested on suspicion of murder. Sarah now finds herself facing her most challenging case yet when she vows to defend her husband--a man accused of murdering his mistress. This twists and turns in this book almost made me dizzy. It kept me reading till 3:00 this morning when I finished the last page. The ending is pretty dark.

I have just started reading In Powder Blue by Nicolas Pleiadi. Reviews have compared it to "Sopranos," "Goodfellas," and The Godfather, all favorites of mine. So far, I'm not seeing it, but I've only just begun. More on this later.

That's it for now. Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Books Worth Reading; and a Couple of Iffy Ones

 I haven't quite got back on track with, well, anything actually. I haven't done any quilt work in weeks and weeks. And as you'll see from the following book list, my reading has dropped off too. With the condition our country's in right now, my mind is elsewhere. Bigger fish to fry, as the say. It's hard to read a book or sew a quilt when you're terrified, angry, grief stricken, and feeling hopeless.

And to make matters worse, both Jesse and I have come down with some kind of flu or something. Jesse's started last week, and he's much better now. This is the third day for mine, so I still have a way to go. 

But the weather gods have smiled on us during Winter Storm What's-Her-Name. For a while, we were expecting freezing rain and ice, the real meanie of the winter storm family. But temps have stayed above freezing and all we had is a bunch of rain. Which we needed. 

So here goes the handful of books I've read since my last book report.

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis. I literally couldn't put this one down. I read it in one sitting, or lying. I couldn't sleep last night anyway, so I read this book.This haunting gothic story, set in a small village in England during the 18th Century tells of five sisters whose neighbors are convinced they're turning into vicious dogs. . I highly recommend if you're a fan of Shirley Jackson or even if you aren't. . 

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. Set in the English countryside, this novel is a combination of love story and murder mystery. Beth and Frank have a loving marriage that has survived the tragic loss of a child. But Beth is caught "between a rock and a hard place" when teenage love of her life, Gabriel Wolfe becomes their neighbor. Beth and Gabriel's breakup had been more or less fueled by a misunderstanding and Gabriel's interfering mom, and all the sparks haven't quite died. The twists kept me turning pages, and the ending surprised and saddened me. Excellent storytelling.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell. Nina Swann is intrigued when she receives a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. Nick is handsome and has good taste, with a smile that could melt the coldest heart. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is a scheme to beat all schemes. Good book.

Later by Stephen King The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is high, as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave. America's consummate storyteller at his best.

The Arrangement by Kierstein Modglin When I began reading this book, I had the urge to tell Ainsley, "Girl, this ain't gonna work the way you think it will." Mainly and her husband Peter's marriage has grown a bit stale over the years. Ainsley comes up with a plot to freshen things up. One thing I must say though: I didn't quite see that ending coming. Sort of a Gone Girl type of story. I didn't like Peter and Ainsley, but I didn't like the book.

And here are a couple of DFs (didn't finish).

Never Flinch by Stephen King For some reason, and I have non idea why, I have never been able to sink my teeth into one of King's Holly Gibney books. I'll probably go back and finish this one because the premise sounds so intriguing. I think the problem for me is that Holly is just not a very interesting character, at least not to me. 

Here's the premise: When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” in “an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man,” Detective Izzy Jaynes springs into action. As the investigation unfolds, Izzy turns to her friend private investigator Holly Gibney for help. Meanwhile, women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. There's a bunch of other more minor characters who are also not very appealing. But I guess I'll have to finish this one soon. After all, I am one of his number one fans.

Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne I had to have a go at this book for two reason, or three maybe: 1) Ozzy was such colorful character, 2) he was a super rock performer, and 3) my precious granddad is named Ozzy Osborn (spelling's a little different, but the sound's the same. They even look a little alike.) 

I was well into the book, enjoying reading of Ozzy's life when I came to the part where, in an effort to shock some record execs, Ozzy, drunk as a skunk and drugged to the hilt, pulled a live dove out of his pocket and bit its head off. Sorry, Ozzy, but that was it for me. Too much information. I might go back and finish this one, but I doubt it. 

"People say to me, if you could do it all again, knowing what you know now, would you change anything? I'm like, f*** no. If I'd been clean and sober, I wouldn't be Ozzy. If I'd done normal, sensible things, I wouldn't be Ozzy."

Husband. Father. Grandfather. F*cking Icon.

1948 - 2025

Bummer!

 

I have a few minutes before I have to run out the door (well hobble perhaps) to book club meeting. 

Remember the Windows quilt (photo above) I've been working on for months to show at my guild's quilt show in June? (Still not finished.) Well guess what. Two members brought the same quilt to show and tell at the January meeting this week. They were beautiful. I'm nonplussed. I picked this pattern because I thought no one else would go to the trouble to piece all those thousands of 2 1/2" square. But they did.

Now I don't have a clue what (if anything) I'll have to enter in the quilt show, but it won't be Windows. I have two or three small quilts finished except for binding, and a couple of large quilts started. Have to give it some thought.

OK, better go. Have to pick up sister Ramey for book club. Then we're having lunch at a new restaurant in Leeds, Sweet Caroline. 

Knee still feels lots better, but my back is the same as ever--awful.

Update

 

Yes, it's been a while. These past couple of months have been a trial for me. In addition to the back and other chronic pain problems, my knees went out--especially the right one. I could put no weight on my right knee most days. Very painful. Had to resort to a walker, even for chores that would normally be done standing (this walker has a seat).

The holidays were horrible, even though I managed to create Christmas dinner for the family. (Ever try to cook a big meal from a sitting position? It ain't easy.) Then I managed to make the traditional greens and blackeneyed peas and cornbread for me and daughter Andy on New Years. Everything turned out really good, but the work put me to bed for the last week or so. 

In the past couple of months, I've had no interest in anything much: sewing, reading, cooking, nothing. But I think the news is getting better, a little bit.

Yesterday I finally visited my orthopedist for the knees. It was either that or a wheelchair. After an almost three hour wait to see the doctor, things started looking up. She put me through some pretty challenging xrays, discussed my options, and then gave me a cortisone shot in my left knee. If that hadn't worked, we were looking at MRI, scans, some kind of gel injection, and last resort surgery.

Today, thank you Jesus, the pain in my knee is lots better. Haven't had to use the walker at all. I do have shaky hands and a bitter taste; but I Google that, and they're harmless side effects. I'm so happy.. I might even get around to some sewing and reading in the next week. I'm not going to go whole-hog though. I don't want to undo all the good the injection has done. But at least the interest is back. I want to do stuff.

The shot was not excruciating, but it was a bit uncomfortable. She deadened the spot for the needle, but it was the pressure from the med going into that painful knee that hurt some. Not enough to keep me from going for another when this wears off though.

The X-rays were not pretty. My right knee is missing cartilage, bone on bone. The right knee is a little better. I have a thin layer of cartilage left in it.

Hope to be back here in the next day or two. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone.

Gobble Gobble Season

We're already gobbling and celebrating Thanksgiving at my church. Yesterday, we enjoyed a wonderful service with a lovely sermon from Sharon E. and seasonal hymns that I love. My favorite for this time of year is "Come Ye Thankful People, Come." which I always call "Harvest Home." Was glad it was included. 

After service we all sat down to an amazing pot luck lunch--turkey, ham, dressing, and oodles of other delicious dishes. I came home stuffed and in pain, so I spent the rest of the day in bed with the kitties, Taco and Bella. I got a lot of reading done.

I just got word from a friend that another of or bee sisters has passed. That's the fourth member we've lost since we've been holding meetings. Mary S. was a very talented and giving friend. Aside from a seamstress and quilter, she was a fine musician and a faithful follower of Jesus. Many years ago she spent time in Ukraine doing missionary work. She will be missed by many.

My niece India (left) and our friend Doris, with their amazing soprano voices, gave us beautiful solos during the choir's anthem at church service yesterday.

After service, we enjoyed a pot luck lunch--turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. It was delicious. That's me, second from the left, about to dive in. (We are a small congregation at Leeds Presbyterian, as you can see. This is the majority of us.)

Quilt bee sister and friend, second from left pictured with her daughters) passed away last week. She will be missed.

Three More Books

 

Circle of Days by Ken Follett I have mixed feelings about this book. I borrowed it from the library thinking that it was a book about the building of Stonehenge by ancient people. Well, yeah, it is and it isn't. Although the stone circle is mentioned occasionally throughout the 700-page book, it isn't until the very end that the story tells of the moving of the massive stones from far away and putting them in place. And I totally don't buy Follett's conjecture that those stones could have been moved the way his story portrays. But, all in all, it's a pretty good story.

The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano Since I was a senior in high School I've had a fascination with the "witch trials" in Europe and the colonies, when powerful religious men had women who dared to be anything except their housekeepers, child raisers, and sex objects dare to branch out or to speak their minds. I wrote my senior term paper, necessary for graduation, on the subject. That paper has since been last. I wish I still had it.

This book of historical fiction is based on the first woman, Margaret Jones, to be tried and hanged as a witch in Boston. You might want to have a box of tissues handy if you choose to read it. I got very emotional. *

The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Doublas Abrams Upon the recent death of naturalist Dr. Jane Goodall, my book club decided to read this book, which was written from an interview with her by author Douglas Abrams. The interview took place during the COVID 19 pandemic. Still today, during the worsening climate crisis, wars, loss of biodiversity, political movements against freedom and liberty—it can be hard to feel optimistic. Hope has never been more desperately needed. Dr. Goodall's very humble and compassionate words are just as appropriate today, as people search for hope in this dangerous and chaotic world in which we find ourselves.