Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

This is the December Monthly Group Read discussion for Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This will satisfy the prompt #1 A book published in 2021, in honor of the end of the year!

Teri is the 'gifted guide' who will lead this discussion. Thank you, Teri!

Every person reads at a different pace, so please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot-related surprises. This allows others to decide whether this information might reveal surprising information they have not yet read.

It can also be helpful to other readers if you post the location within the book noting your progress (chapter and/or page number) with the spoiler. That way, if someone else has read that far they can go ahead and open the spoiler, but if not, they'll know to skip it for now and return later...

TO ADD SPOILER TAGS:
Use this for spoilers, just remove the spaces:
< spoiler > write your spoiler here and close with < / spoiler >

Posts here should only be contributions to discussion about this book.

Yehey! I have a copy of this book. Maybe I can join this discussion:D

My apologies, Teri for the discussion month you're hosting starting the same day the 2022 list is released. I was in this position last year and it was very tough to get participation with everyone focused on the new prompts. I read this earlier in the year and don't remember much but I'll try to participate as much as I can. :)

I read this earlier in the year, too, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it!!! (Because I didn't like Evelyn Hugo at all.)

I was not going to read this but I read Evelyn Hugo and loved it so much and there apparently slightly linked. Unless I got that wrong. Anyway I’m going to join in even though this won’t finish a prompt for me.

Thanks, Lauren. I was feeling overwhelmed about it last night, but realized no one will care if I wait until tomorrow to start the discussion.

I read this when it was released. I had read Evelyn Hugo and enjoyed it so much that is why I read this one when it released. Look forward to the discussion and a possible skim read.

I forgot to get a copy of this again from the library, so bought it on Kindle. Good thing I love it! I'll try to get the discussion going tomorrow and appreciate everyone who will look away from the new lists to participate.

Teri wrote: "I forgot to get a copy of this again from the library, so bought it on Kindle. Good thing I love it! I'll try to get the discussion going tomorrow and appreciate everyone who will look away from th..."

No rush and no pressure, Teri! :)

I also loved Evelyn Hugo, but this one was just a three-star read for me. I might remember more specifics on why it didn't wow me as the conversation develops. Hope others enjoy it though!

And Nadine, it's so interesting to me that you and I tend to have similar tastes in books in some ways, but there are a few examples where we've had opposite reactions. It's all in good bookish fun!

Erica wrote: "I was not going to read this but I read Evelyn Hugo and loved it so much and there apparently slightly linked. Unless I got that wrong. Anyway I’m going to join in even though this won’t finish a p..."


Yes, one of Evelyn's husbands, the rock star, is the patriarch of the family in Malibu.

Lauren wrote: "... And Nadine, it's so interesting to me that you and I tend to have similar tastes in books in some ways, but there are a few examples where we've had opposite reactions. It's all in good bookish fun! ..."


Yes, books are so interesting like that, aren't they?! You never really know if you're going to like the book. My daughter and I have quite different taste in music, but we almost always agree on movies & books. ALMOST always :-) She has yet to hate a book I loved or love a book I hated, but it's bound to happen, so I always give her that caveat: "I didn't like it, but you should try it!"

I think my favorite part of this is that so much of this book is set in the 80s and 90's. It was a bit of a flash back

Nadine wrote: "Yes, one of Evelyn's husbands, the rock star, is the patriarch of the family in Malibu.."

Does anyone know if her other books link together in some way? Has anyone read Daisy Jones and the Six?

Just a mention for those that care, you can vote for this book to win the historical fiction category of the 2021 goodreads choice awards.

Allie wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Yes, one of Evelyn's husbands, the rock star, is the patriarch of the family in Malibu.."

Does anyone know if her other books link together in some way? Has anyone read Daisy Jones ..."

Mick Riva is in Daisy Jones.

You all don't need me after all! Good job with the discussions.

I did not notice Mick Riva in Daisy Jones. Huh. Learn something new every day.

Teri wrote: "You all don't need me after all! Good job with the discussions.

I did not notice Mick Riva in Daisy Jones. Huh. Learn something new every day."


I barely noticed him in Evelyn Hugo.

Okay, let's continue our December party!

Introductory Questions

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books?

2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously?

Taylor Jenkins Reid has published 7 books and 1 short story, as far as I am aware. She became one of my favorite authors after I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I've now read all but one of her books. Her first book was published in 2013, and the first few were romances. I rarely read romance, but hers are the kind that I like - stories that make you think. I have really enjoyed her moving into historical fiction. I am also acutely aware that her historical fiction has all happened in my lifetime, making me feel very old.

I read Malibu Rising earlier this year and it had quite a profound, and sometimes uncomfortable, effect on me. I'll discuss more of that as we go along.

Nadine wrote: "Teri wrote: "You all don't need me after all! Good job with the discussions.

I did not notice Mick Riva in Daisy Jones. Huh. Learn something new every day."


I barely noticed him in Evelyn Hugo."

I was the same i didnt notice him in Evelyn Hugo...he was just mentioned in Daisy Jones

I just read on her website that Daisy Jones & The Six is being adapted as a limited series for Amazon. That would be awesome.

My first read was Evelyn Hugo. Devoured it in one day. I meant to read Daisy Jones but I didnt like the style but i have the audio and enjoy it much more. i will pick up the print copy again.

I read Malibu Rising the week it came out and devoured it in one day. i have on my kindle.

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books? Yes, the first was Evelyn and loved it, then read Daisy Jones, Malibu and her short story. Plan to read the backlist too.

2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously? I selected it as a BoTM option in my subscription and read it earlier this year. Looking forward to the discussion, but it's not as fresh in my mind.

1. Yes, one other book. Evelyn Hugo and I loved it. It is contending for my favourite read of the year.

2. I will read this for the first time this month although I haven't started it yet. I would like to finish one of the long books I'm currently reading first but we'll see. I don't want to get behind the discussion.

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books?

Yes, I read Evelyn Hugo, and I did not like it at all. It was just built up too much - the book itself was built up too much, and the mystery inside the book was built up too much, and I expected A LOT but instead I got regular chick lit. I REALLY hated the journalist character - she was acting like she was just so special, but she was actually a terrible journalist and let Evelyn walk all over her. I would have liked the book A LOT more if it was not framed by that journalist's story. If I had EXPECTED chick lit from the beginning, with namby-pamby characters, I might have enjoyed the book. I heard Daisy Jones was more of the same, so I skipped that. But when Malibu Rising came out, I was just so drawn to that cover!! I cannot resist a beach photo :-) So I gave TJR another try.

I didn't realize her earlier books were romances. Maybe I should try them!


2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously?

I read it earlier this year. I really enjoyed it!

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books?
- Nope. This is the first book I read from her:D

2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously?
- I'm currently reading it:)

I finished the 2021 challenge today and now I'm free to start reading this. :)

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books?

Yes, I've read these:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 5 stars
Daisy Jones & The Six 4 stars
Maybe in Another Life 3.5 stars

2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously?

I read it in June.

@Nadine to pay back the favour of book recommendations by Jill Shalvis. Really enjoyed this one because the dialog was funny and the sibling relationship was great. You could use this for a book about secrets. :)

Erica wrote: "@Nadine to pay back the favour of book recommendations by Jill Shalvis. Really enjoyed this one because the dialog was funny and the sibling rela..."



oh that's good to know! I like Shalvis, I have not read this one yet (but yes I LOVE the cover), and I don't have a title penciled in for "secrets" yet!!!

I'm hopimg to get a copy before mid-month and join in!

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books?
Yes, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (5 stars) and Daisy Jones & The Six (4.5 stars).

2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously?
I'm currently listening to it, and not really digging it. :/

I'm so sorry I've dropped the ball here. Life. I will try to get back to this on Sunday with some discussion questions and conversation. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Questions
1. In the meantime, which sibling were you most drawn to and/or related to the most? Nina, the model; Jay, the surfer; Hud, the photographer; Kit, the baby.

Which sibling... well they all surf and that's something I've never done living on the prairies. Totally had to google what an Airstream was too. Didn't know those silver rvs had a special name. Anyway I'm probably most drawn to Nina but that could just be that she's had the most page time so far. I'm at about 20% aka 10 am.

I vibed with Nina the most. I'm an only child, so the sibling dynamic is always fascinating to me but I've noticed that I typically like older siblings (unless they act really immaturely).

The boys were kind of so-so to me, I think I liked Hud a little more because he seemed a bit calmer? More level headed.

And I went back and forth with Kit. I liked how feisty she could be, but I didn't like how bratty she would get. None of the siblings appreciated Nina enough, imo.

Teri wrote: "In the meantime, which sibling were you most drawn to and/or related to the most? Nina, the model; Jay, the surfer; Hud, the photographer; Kit, the baby."



It's been a while since I read it, but I seem to remember MOST of the POVs were from Nina's POV? So I identified most with her, because we spent most of our time in her head. I found Kit's plight to be interesting also. Jay & Hud were not as interesting for me, maybe because I'm a woman.

I definitely related to Nina. Well, not the beauty and the talent and the money, of course. But I am the oldest of four children, my father was a charming, cheating, lying piece of work, and my mother kept taking him back until he left her for good. Thankfully, (view spoiler)[my mother didn't drink (which I thanked her for after reading this book) (hide spoiler)]. I know what it meant for her to give so much of her life to her siblings to keep it all together. Not nearly so dramatic for me, but there is so much I understand.

Questions
2. Early on, Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, “Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.” Do you agree? How did this book make you think about your own family history?

3. This novel is in part about the way we repeat the mistakes of our parents or try to avoid doing so. How was Nina’s life shaped by her mother’s? How has your own life been shaped by the people who raised you?

4. Why do you think the author included the parents' stories?

5. The book is also about sibling relationships. Why do you think sibling dynamics can be so complicated? How do we use our siblings to define our own personalities?

2. Early on, Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, “Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.” Do you agree? How did this book make you think about your own family history?

It didn't really make me think about mine, as it's so different that it didn't occur to me to try and relate it. I grew up with a single parent, and my grandparents, and I'm an only child. Sometimes, I'll imagine how things might change in a story if the characters were indigenous (like me), but this story didn't really make me reflective.

3. This novel is in part about the way we repeat the mistakes of our parents or try to avoid doing so. How was Nina’s life shaped by her mother’s? How has your own life been shaped by the people who raised you?

Nina seemed very much doomed to repeat her mother's mistakes which was a shame. Even towards the end with the party, there was a moment where she could have broken the cycle herself but it took Carrie showing up and airing their (Nina, Brandon, and Carrie's) dirty laundry in a very public way for Nina to finally do something about it.

For me, my mom has been a very pivotal person in my life, in every aspect. From the good (hardworking, diligent, takes care of self and others) to the less than stellar (packrat tendencies, being a bit of a hardass). My mom passed in 2018 from cancer and I still miss her because she was someone I would go to for anything for advice; we were very close and she was my best friend, support system, and occasional pain in the ass (affectionately).

4. Why do you think the author included the parents' stories?
To me, it seemed that it was two reasons. One, to set up why the kids were the way they were, especially the girls. The focus is more on Nina but Kit was also a focus and foil to her older sister in that she has more freedom to do what she wants in a way (she has far more freedom than Nina in expressing herself, for example).

Two, it seemed to me that there was an implication that Mick and June were set up to be a bittersweet romance in a way. Like, a tragic, what could have been romance but it fell flat, short, whatever you want to fill in. There was a lot of time spent on Mick and talking about how he really wanted that family to come home to, and that despite his fuck ups he really loved June, wah wah wah. Meanwhile, we have June more willing to take Mick back than take care of her children and everything about her related back to Mick, which frustrated me.

5. The book is also about sibling relationships. Why do you think sibling dynamics can be so complicated? How do we use our siblings to define our own personalities?

As an only child, sibling dynamics always fascinate me at best, and make me glad I'm an only child at worst. Lol. A bit of a cop out but it's the best I've got.

2. Early on, Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, “Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.” Do you agree? How did this book make you think about your own family history?

I think saying stuff like that is a bunch of overly dramatic nonsense that writers like TJR are super-fond of. Big time eye-roll from me. Maybe other people's families are full of "myths" but mine is not. (Other than my great aunt claiming that her Hungarian father painted the king's royal carriages before he immigrated to the US in 1888 - I doubted that one. I believe he painted carriages, but that's as far as I'll take that.)



3. This novel is in part about the way we repeat the mistakes of our parents or try to avoid doing so. How was Nina’s life shaped by her mother’s? How has your own life been shaped by the people who raised you?

Nina's mother was alone and forced to pick up the pieces the same way that Nina was left alone and forced to pick up the pieces.

But I don't think my life is much like my parents' lives were. I've made my own mistakes hahaha!



4. Why do you think the author included the parents' stories?
Because she wanted to drive home her theme of history being repeated in each generation.



5. The book is also about sibling relationships. Why do you think sibling dynamics can be so complicated? How do we use our siblings to define our own personalities?

It's all a big mystery to me, I'm on the outside looking in for this one, since I am an only child. I have no idea what it would feel like to have a sibling.

2. Early on, Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, “Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.” Do you agree? How did this book make you think about your own family history?
I do agree that our family histories are simply stories. We all know how stories change as they are relayed. And even though some of my ancestors left letters, journals, etc., I doubt they give an accurate story either. I wrote journals for many years, and I know they don't convey events very accurately and honestly because I always had my family reading it in mind after I die. But if these stories help us on our own journeys by being inspirational or funny or whatever, no harm done.

3. This novel is in part about the way we repeat the mistakes of our parents or try to avoid doing so. How was Nina’s life shaped by her mother’s? How has your own life been shaped by the people who raised you?
Nina's life was definitely shaped by her mother as she had to cover her mother's deficiencies, and in the process give up a great deal of herself to do so.

I have tried to avoid repeating the mistakes of my parents. A big part of that was in not getting married nor having children. I haven't trusted in those kinds of commitments, and I haven't trusted myself either. My life has been completely influenced in being raised by two toxic parents. I'm 61 years old and still trying to figure it all out.

4. Why do you think the author included the parents' stories?
Family stories like this one needs to understand more than one generation to explain the current one being discussed.

5. The book is also about sibling relationships. Why do you think sibling dynamics can be so complicated? How do we use our siblings to define our own personalities?
One of the quotes in the book that resonated strongly with me was "“How were you supposed to change- in ways both big and small- when your family was always there to remind you of exactly the person you apparently signed an ironclad contract to be?” This is exactly why sibling dynamics are complicated. The person you were growing up is the person you become whenever you are around your siblings, no matter how hard you try. At least that's true in my experience. Because I was the oldest, I understood the most about what my dad was doing and was the most angry about it. And when I am with my siblings all together, I still seem to be the angry and protective one. I'm better with them on an individual basis than collectively.

cat herine wrote: "As an only child, sibling dynamics always fascinate me at best, and make me glad I'm an only child at worst. Lol. A bit of a cop out but it's the best I've got."

Nadine in NY wrote: "It's all a big mystery to me, I'm on the outside looking in for this one, since I am an only child. I have no idea what it would feel like to have a sibling."

I also cannot imagine being an only child. It always sounded lonely and quiet to me. Was it? I had a loud and boisterous childhood and always someone to play (and fight) with. But sometimes it would be nice to not have people that know every single stupid thing you've done in your life and love to retell them.

Questions
6. How do you feel about the choices mother June made?

7. Jay was able to forgive Hudson (view spoiler)[for starting a relationship with Jay's girlfriend before they had broken up (hide spoiler)]. Do you think you would have been able to do the same? What do you think about what Hudson did and how he handled it?

8. What did you think about all the details of the party scenes? Is this a party you would like to attend?

Teri wrote: "I also cannot imagine being an only child. It always sounded lonely and quiet to me. Was it? ..."


Not particularly. It's not like I was raised on Mars, there were other people around: kids on my block (I was lucky there, there were A LOT of kids on my little block, it was a good neighborhood), cousins, classmates, friends. And I played my heavy metal loud enough to compensate for the lack of other kids, it was not quiet hahaha!

Probably what people say about only children interacting with adults more is true - I guess with no siblings around, I just talked to my parents. I don't remember feeling isolated or lonely or left out. And it never felt weird to be an only child, because my father (and HIS father) and one of my cousins (on my mother's side, obviously) were also only children.

My paternal grandmother had a lot of siblings, but many of them never had children, so I was often the only child at family gatherings, but it was never weird or lonely. My grandmother always had little things for me to do, and I would sit there drawing pictures or whatever while the adults around me did their adult thing. I never experienced having to sit at the "children's table" for holiday dinners - when there's only one kid, there is no children's table.

So I’m still with you guys but I’m going to wait to read through questions and answers until I finish this book. I’m at 40% and the library is taking it away Sunday so I’ll catch up soon.

Amazing book… think I read it in a day and a half… really glad it won for historical fiction!!!

Hi Everyone! New here and this is my first post. I read this over the summer so some of the details are a little hazy....but I must answer this question:

8. What did you think about all the details of the party scenes? Is this a party you would like to attend?

This whole book leads up to the party, and let me say....in my opinion...the party is lame! The author introduces too many random characters. (view spoiler)[The two brothers get in a brawl, where one obviously needs medical attention, but then they decide to have a "family meeting." A woman pops out of nowhere, and is like "Hey, guess what, I'm your sister." Just not believable. (hide spoiler)] Not to mention, the guests are absolutely destroying the house, even peeing on Andy Warhol (I think) paintings. I would be like, "excuse me, leave my party and never speak to me again."

For me, there was so much build up to this one event, and I think it fell flat. The party did not interest me at all, and no, it's not one I would want to be at.

AnnMarie wrote: "Hi Everyone! New here and this is my first post. I read this over the summer so some of the details are a little hazy....but I must answer this question:

8. What did you think about all the detail..."


I read it several months ago, too, and I had forgotten how annoyed I was at the end when sooooo many other characters just POP up like that. The party was a hot mess. Are there actually parties like that, I wonder?