Colleen ’s Comments (group member since May 02, 2018)

Colleen ’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

And I have finished my last book on the spreadsheet - no worries if all can't be used. It was wonderful reading TT on Pandora!

Pretty creative Lexi!

HI!

I'm still here - just got back from a lovely Myrtle Beach, SC vacation. Back to the work grind. I didn't get as much reading done as I would've liked, but sounds like we are doing just fine in that department. :)

And winning!

Day 5
20 Jul 2:00 AM - 7:00 AM

17. I love how the author describes how the party goes feral starting with that awful Vaughn Donovan. Have you ever been to a party where things spiralled out of control?

It was a little out of control - between the chandelier and the paintings being damaged - I admit I cringed, but between the drugs and alcohol being served, I guess I can't be too surprised. And no, I can't say I've ever partaken in any event that wild. If I were I'd have to hope I would leave before the consequences started.

18. I fist pumped the air when Nina tells herself to stop being a doormat and goes to find her dad (or as she says, her "f&*(ing nothing"!!). That whole scene where she confronts him felt so cathartic. I loved the line "It would not be her that bent and broke anymore." How did you find it?

Nina redeemed herself - both to her father and to her ex. I really loved it and also when she did go off to Portugal. I have to admit feeling a little jealous of her dream come true.

19. There are always many sides to a story. Why do you think Mick came to the party? If he was your dad, would you have forgiven him? Would you have wanted to see him again after the party?

I can see all sides to a story - and admit I would probably forgive - but not forget and therefore would always hold a piece of me back. And I would also want/expect something out of the new relationship, including a financial boost, which I feel he owes them all.

20. The party changed the siblings in lots of different ways. How do you think their lives will be different now?

They will have a lot more freedom now. They can move on. They have been released from their past and everything holding them back. There is not a sad thing about any of this.

21. Final thoughts on the book? Would you read more by the author?

I feel TJR has gotten better and will continue to do so. As long as she writes more novels like this, I'll definitely be a fan.

DAY 2 - 1959 "It was last December 1959"
41% 1981 "...in her arms, on her back."

5. 1959 - "It was last December, 1959" -
It sounds like a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons song...Wow! What an explosive chapter. Your reaction? Mick was characterised as a sleezy womaniser, it was always going to happen or I didn't see that coming! And June's reaction? Sensitive woman with a huge heart or a doormat for putting up with what she suspected?

I felt so bad for this couple - more so for June. It had to be tough for wives back in the 50s when men were excused for "being men" and wives didn't have many options for how to get out of a terrible marriage and be self-sufficient on their own.

6. "He gave no thought to the idea that he might break his children like someone had broken him". "You're drunk and you're killing yourself with this stuff." Discuss Mick and June's parenting styles and how they have affected the siblings as children and adults.

The 50s were not as ideal as nostalgia portrays - there was definite dysfunction and dirty laundry was not something to be aired. There were not as many resources as there are today for people's ills and not easily admitted or recognized back then. Nina was probably most affected and seemed to repeat a similar story along the marriage lines - and luckily recognized this and stopped her self before she let her drink taker her over.

7. The title of the book is Malibu Rising and the author gives the reader a sense of the beach culture both in the past and the present time lines. What does it bring to the story and would it be as effective in another setting?

I loved the setting description - it made me feel a part of it - it was almost an addition to the story's character. It made me wish for real estate back then ~20+ years ago to be more affordable (and still likely not within my budget). What a magical sounding area and very dramatic/romantic.

8. Already with the first set of questions there are varying opinions by the group about both Taylor Jenkins Reid as an author and how it compares to her other work. I loved Daisy Jones and the Six but I am finding this one as bit like Days of our Lives... but the author is skillful enough to make it into a page turner. Where do you sit, engaging tale well written or too much drama and as we are half way through do you see this ending in triumph or tragedy for the Riva siblings?

I agree with it being a page turner and wanting to see how it turns out. I'm on the engaging tale side and appreciated all the drama for a well-told tale with smart characters who are in charge of their own destiny.

DQs Day 1: Prologue - 11:00AM

1. Both Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo have been BOMs in this group before. Have you read these books (or others) by Taylor Jenkins Reid too or is Malibu Rising your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?

I actually liked Malibu Rising a lot more than Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo (liked Evelyn more than Daisy). I really liked how Taylor Jenkins Reid has come into her own and I feel her books will keep developing - looking forward to see her talent continue and read her future works.

2. We have been introduced to quite a lot of MCs and their different POVs in the first 20% of the book. Do you prefer one character/POV over the others or is it still too early to tell?

It was still too early then - I really appreciate when an author has such a good rhythm going that I hate when a character's POV ends and it jumps to the other character. That's when I can tell the writing style is going good for me. So I enjoyed all characters and timelines - which continued until the end. That being said, June was a favorite - probably because she was the character getting most known about.

3. The writing has quite a contemporary feel to it, especially the 1983 timeline, which makes it easy to forget the book is actually set in the past. What's your opinion on the writing and the back and forth between the two timelines so far, and how does it compare to other TJR books you've read (if any)?

I addressed this mainly in question #2 - having grown up in the 80's I could really relate and laughed about the clothing/outfits the party goers wore.

4. "The story of June and Mick Riva seemed like a tragedy to their oldest child, Nina. It felt like a comedy of errors to their first son, Jay. It was an origin story for their second son, Hud. And a mystery to the baby of the family, Kit. To Mick himself it was just a chapter of his memoir."
We don't really know how June and Mick's marriage post kids 1 + 2 went (and ended) yet, but from what we've learned about each of the siblings and their (love) lives so far, how do you think their parents' story has affected them after reading the quote above?

How could it not affect them? Seeing your parent's love lives turn out doesn't guarantee a similar story, but definitely teaches us a thing or two. I love this quote by the way. Excellently styled! Intriguing - made me want to know more.

--- Also, for everyone who has read Evelyn Hugo, can we please talk about the (brief) mention of Celia St. James AND THE FACT THAT (view spoiler).
And while we're at it, Mick also had a cameo in Daisy Jones & the Six!

OK - I missed all this, lol. Love it...how cool is this between authors!

I was wondering why my book count was off (I have 10 read vs. 11 which was on the sheet). Looks like for some reason I have the same book listed twice on the spreadsheet (#s 40 & 164 The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck) if someone can look into this and delete one of them. Thanks!

I plan on July's BOM Malibu rising - if I start now and don't finish until after July 1, it will still count, correct? And just have to answer DQs, correct?

Judith wrote: "Some teams have only finished one monster, we've killed 7.

In case people were wondering."

Wow! Just catching up here. What an amazing group of readers this team has. I couldn't be more proud!

Checking in also! I have some road trips coming up in the next week, so hoping I can finish my two I'm currently in plus get my next RL book club book finished before the group meeting.

Struggling a bit with the classic Main Street but I do want to see what happens with Carol Kennicott.

Judith wrote: "We have just over a day left to finish books for the Muse May Mini. There are 7 books left based on what's claimed on our tracking sheet. Here's what I have:

-Colleen Drum: 1 book
-Gunit Kaur: 2 b..."

I'll finish my book today! While going out on a nice, rainy walk...

I'll complete the one book I have listed on the spreadsheet. Still trying to finish Ready Player Two (which doesn't count). Ugh!

I started Ready Player Two earlier this week and really wish I had waited since I'm only to page 50 - I hope it picks up and I get more into it. Not as highly rated as the first one, which I read years ago, so adding to the problem.

I've been meaning to read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life so I'll probably read that quick to get me going.

@Judith - I'm not sure when I stopped reading it - maybe @2/15, I may just wait until after TT is over since I don't want to waste a book. :)

Love all the chit chat - definitely add me as a friend if not already!

Question - I had to give up on the audio book of Tess of the D'Urbervilles and get a print copy. I couldn't read it for UNO and wonder if the same rules would apply here. I am literally going to start over and read it - would it count? Otherwise I'll just hold off until later this year to read it.

One more week to go!

I'm here! (She/hers)

I live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and we are finally seeing some spring come around. I'm married 22 years with 3 kiddos - my first just completed her freshman year. @Lexi what school are you at? My daughter is at Butler U which we all just LOVE.

My voting is done! I'll try for a BOM - pending availability, time, etc. This team/captains are already on top it - super appreciated! You all have a great sense of humor as well - this is going to be fun! I have to go back and re-read the posts, just wanted to get this in quick.

I can read anything and usually have one print book and one audio book going at the same time. Looking forward to this ----!

2,781 books on the TBR - sounds like I'm in pretty good company here.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm going to start with a goal of 20 and my oldest books on the list which start way back on June 15, 2013 (And still keeps me there in June 2013 lol - also, can I please go back in time for a second run at it? And who would have guessed at our world's happenings right now. Seems like ancient times.) but need to include a Jodi Piccoult in the mix who I haven't gotten to in a while.

Good luck everyone! I see a lot of good books on your lists. Here we go....

1. Tess of the D'Urbervilles

I agree - so great reading with you and all, and all kinds of books, some good some not so - makes you appreciate the good ones even more!

Fixed it Christina!

Christina wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Christina wrote: "Colleen, it's 512 pages, definitely add it!

If more books than 72 are added in the end (extras posted underneath our words in the ss please), the shortest books w..."

Done!