Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Likely Stories - California Golden

Hey there, my name is Lauren Hooker. I'm a student at Baylor as well as a bookseller at Fabled and I'm also the Public Relations intern this semester here at KWBU.

Today I'm going to be talking about one of my favorite books I've read this year, 'California Golden' by Melanie Benjamin. I often gravitate towards the summer beach reads and I would definitely put this book under that category. But don't let that fool you! This book has a lot of interesting social themes that will truly challenge you and make you think. California Golden is a historical fiction book that takes place in the 1960s that, you guessed it, is set in California.

The book revolves around the early days of surf culture and follows the Donnelly girls, Carol the mother, Mindy the older sister, and Ginger the younger sister.

The mother Carol defies gender stereotypes and rises to fame as a star surfer in the male dominated sport. As she is becoming more popular, the sisters are left to fend for themselves. To grow closer to their mother, Mindy and Ginger devise a plan to ditch school and learn to ride the waves with their mom. As Mindy begins to excel at surfing, Ginger finds herself fearful of the open waters and not very talented on the board. As each of the girls grow, Mindy the older sister becomes a surfing star and becomes part of the Hollywood movie scene to show off her surf skills. While Mindy is in the spotlight, Ginger struggles. Trying to find her place Ginger gets involved with drugs and cults in search of a community.

Each sister takes a very different path.

While reading this book, you get a perspective of every different side of California from the fame and clubs to the manipulation and drug use. California is the main setting of this book but there's also glimpses of Hawaii for surf competitions and Vietnam as Mindy takes part in the USO tour.

California Golden looks at motherhood and what was expected of a mother during the 60s. It also looks into sisterhood Even though the sisters grew up in the same environment, they took different turns in life. They struggled and excelled to support each other in their decisions. This book explores how a mother's impact can determine how her children may look at the world. The older sister, Mindy, became a mother figure to her younger sister, Ginger. Mindy was independent and fierce while Ginger was self-conscious and dependent on a man.

With the themes of motherhood and sisterhood, the book also looks at sexism, abuse, racism, drug use, neglect, and second chances. These themes are successfully tied in all together with surf culture. This book will make you feel so many things towards these characters. You will empathize with them, be extremely annoyed at them and you'll even smile as they meet their accomplishments. I loved this book and could no put it down and I finished it in a flash even though I never wanted it to end. While reading I also dreamed of being a Cali girl surfing with the Donnelly girls.

RECENT EPISODES OF LIKELY STORIES
Likely Stories - The Spirit Bares it's Teeth
Hi I’m Molly-Jo Tilton, reporter at KWBU, and welcome to this week’s episode of likely stories. Today I want to talk about one of my favorite books of all time, Andrew Joseph White’s “The Spirit Bares its Teeth”.
Likely Stories - "Wait Till Next Year" by Doris Keans Goodwin
Hosting this edition of Likely Stories is Lori Fogelman. Lori works at Baylor University and is part of the broadcast team for Baylor Women’s Basketball. Here is her review of Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Likely Stories - Picnic: Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Tradition
A big Willie Nelson fan has written a book about the iconic 4th of July picnics.
Likely Stories - The Ministry of Time
Hi, and welcome to Likely Stories. I’m Paige Connell, and I teach English at Midway High School, and today I want to talk about everyone’s favorite science fiction construct: time travel.
Likely Stories - Norwegian Wood
Hello, and welcome to this week’s episode of Likely Stories. I’m Malcolm Foster, operations assistant at KWBU and aspiring habitual reader. Today I want to talk about Haruki Marakumi’s best known body of work, ‘Norwegian Wood.’
Likely Stories - North Woods
In this week's episode of Likley Stories, art historian and educator, Heather White, is discussing 'North Woods' by Daniel Mason.
Likely Stories - James
Hello, my name is Douglas Henry, dean of the Honors College at Baylor University. With this week's edition of Likely Stories.
Likely Stories - The Frozen River
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Likely Stories. I’m Paige Connell, and I teach English at Midway High School. When this year comes to a close, if The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon isn’t my top 1-2 best books of the year, I will be shocked.
Likely Stories - A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous
This is the Reverend Dr. Andrew Armand. I'm an Episcopal priest here in town at St. Alban's Episcopal Church. Welcome to this next edition of Likely Stories.
Likely Stories - Shut Up, This Is Serious
Ah, high school. The sounds. The smells. The drama.

Lauren Hooker is a Baylor student studying Communication with a double minor in Public Relations and Dance. Originally from South Houston, she has spent the past couple of years in Waco for school. Lauren is an active student on campus and is a dancer on Baylor Dance Company as well as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Along with being a student, she is the Public Relations Intern for KWBU and is also a Bookseller at Fabled Bookshop and Café. Lauren is a reading enthusiast and is always up for a conversation about books!