Book Title: Covered in Flour
Author: Charles Presti
Publication Date: October 10th, 2023
Publisher: Charles Presti
Page Length: 220
Genre: Historical Fiction
Covered in Flour
Charles Presti
Blurb:
It's 1968 in Whisper Haven, and 8-year-old Carl Pozzi’s world is about to change.
For eight-year-old Carl Pozzi, 1968 begins like any other year—playing kickball with friends and enjoying the comforting aroma of Mom's pasta dinners in their predominantly white suburban Whisper Haven home. But when Carl's teacher introduces lessons about racial prejudice and injustice, his worldview cracks wide open.
How far can innocence stretch before it snaps?
As Carl flips through the pages of his 3-ring binder, each lesson serves as a gateway to a journey of self-discovery and understanding. It's an expedition that not only changes him but reshapes his whole concept of family and justice—especially as he watches his father put on a police uniform during one of the most fraught periods in American history.
"Covered in Flour" is not just a heartfelt stroll down memory lane. It's a captivating coming-of-age saga that digs deep beneath the surface of suburban tranquility. It beckons you to reconsider long-held family values and confront the societal norms you've taken for granted.
Written with genuine love, humor, and a tinge of sorrow, this story blends the nostalgia of tradition with the inevitability of change, offering a stirring mix that leaves you pondering long after the last page is turned. This book isn't just a delightful read; it's a catalyst for introspection, freshly baked and served for your soul.
Read an Excerpt
THE FEAST – PART I
AUGUST 1968
Arriving at Aunt Nina's home, anticipation filled me as we descended into the basement kitchen, a sanctuary of culinary heritage. Aunt Nina, with grocery bags in tow, was about to share not just the art of making cannoli but a cherished family tradition. The kitchen, brimming with the aroma of home, was laid out with flour, sugar, ricotta, butter, eggs, and other essentials, setting the stage for a lesson steeped in history and love.
"First, the dough," Aunt Nina began, guiding me through each step with a blend of instruction and storytelling... She demonstrated how to blend the ingredients meticulously, instilling in me the importance of texture and tradition. As we rolled, cut, and shaped the dough around cannoli tubes, her instructions were punctuated with anecdotes of past generations, embedding the process with meaning.
When the shells golden and crisp emerged from the fryer, Aunt Nina shifted to the ricotta filling, the heart of the cannoli... She allowed me to add the candied fruit, teaching me that every bite should tell a story. As we filled the cooled shells, Aunt Nina's kitchen transformed into a place of alchemy, where simple ingredients melded into a testament of family, love, and heritage.
The basement, lit by a serene light, seemed to cast Aunt Nina in a glow of almost celestial brilliance... It was a moment of profound realization for me: miracles manifest in the simple acts of creation. The act of making cannoli transcended mere cooking; it was a ritual of connection, a labor of love that wove our family's past with its present.
Tasting the finished cannoli, the crunch of the shell giving way to the rich, sweet filling, I understood the true essence of our endeavor. It wasn't just about the ingredients or the technique; it was about the love and legacy that each cannoli represented, a bond between Aunt Nina and me that would endure, one cannoli at a time.
Charles Presti, emerging from the sun-drenched shores of Pensacola, Florida, crafts narratives that echo with the richness of his varied life. His journey from a USF College of Medicine graduate to a storyteller is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Drawing from his days as a physician and informatics specialist, Charles infuses his writing with a rare blend of scientific precision and heartfelt emotion. His debut novel, "Covered in Flour," is a vivid tapestry of his Italian-American heritage, his experiences in the whirlwind era of the 1960s, and his personal journey as a gay man. These elements converge to create stories that not only entertain but resonate deeply with themes of family, discovery, and the delicate dance of life's everyday moments.
Charles's passion for storytelling is paralleled only by his commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Alongside his husband, Mike Bruce, and their beloved Wheaton Terrier, Zoey, he is a vibrant force and founder of "Sunday's Child," a local charity dedicated to nurturing inclusion and empowering LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities through grants to local charities. A pillar in the Emerald Coast Writers group, he continually explores the nuances of identity, heritage, and a sense of belonging. Discover more about Charles's captivating world and "Covered in Flour" at www.coveredinflour.com, where each story is a window into a life lived fully and authentically.
Website: www.coveredinflour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552112886658
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckpresti/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covered_inflour/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/charlespresti
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45201473.Charles_Presti
Thank you for hosting Charles Presti today, Judith.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club