Summer Reading: a wild party, Beowulf, and Gillian Mears

Set in 1983 Malibu, 'Malibu Rising' follows the Riva siblings—Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit—as they host their annual summer party. The novel delves into themes of family, love, and heartbreak, culminating in a chaotic night that will forever alter their lives. The siblings, children of legendary singer Mick Riva, navigate their complex relationships and personal secrets amidst the party's escalating chaos.

Bernadette Brennan's "Leaping into Waterfalls" is a biography of the enigmatic Australian writer Gillian Mears. The book delves into Mears' life and work, exploring the close relationship between her personal experiences and her writing. Brennan examines Mears' unique style, characterized by its realism, poetic imagery, and focus on female experience. The biography reveals Mears' struggles with illness and her complex personality, offering a nuanced portrait of a significant Australian writer. It's a compelling exploration of a life lived fully and honestly.

This novel follows the lives of Daisy Jones, a young and beautiful singer, and The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne, as they navigate the highs and lows of the 1970s music industry. The story is presented as an oral history, with interviews from the band members, their friends, and family, providing a realistic and immersive account of their journey. The book delves into themes of female empowerment, addiction, and the complexities of personal relationships, set against the backdrop of the glamorized but often destructive rock 'n' roll lifestyle of the 1970s. Taylor Jenkins Reid's vivid portrayal of the era and the characters makes the fictional band feel eerily real, capturing the essence of the music and the times with remarkable detail.

Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that chronicles the daring deeds of its titular hero, Beowulf. The story begins with Beowulf's journey to help King Hrothgar of the Danes, whose mead hall, Heorot, is terrorized by the monster Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel and later Grendel's mother, then returns to his homeland to become king of the Geats. After ruling for 50 years, he faces his final battle against a fire-breathing dragon, which ultimately leads to his death. The poem explores themes of heroism, fate, and the struggle between civilization and wilderness.

In this book, George Selgin challenges the conventional wisdom that monetary policy should aim for price stability. He argues that a falling price level, driven by increases in productivity, is more beneficial for economic growth. Selgin uses historical evidence and theoretical analysis to support his argument, known as the 'productivity norm. ' He contends that this approach would provide more honest price signals, reduce monetary distortions, and lead to better economic outcomes. The book has been praised for its originality and remains relevant in discussions on monetary policy.

The book tells the story of Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive Hollywood movie icon who, at the age of 79, decides to reveal the true story of her life to unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant. Evelyn's life is chronicled through her seven marriages, her rise to fame in the 1950s, and her struggles with identity, love, and the harsh realities of being a Cuban and bisexual woman in a repressive culture. The novel explores themes of ambition, friendship, and forbidden love, and how Evelyn's life intersects with Monique's in tragic and irreversible ways.