Book Notes | ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’
Written by New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & the Six is about the rise of a fictional rock and roll band in the 1970s. Each of the band members (and a spouse) is interviewed individually in the novel’s oral history format. It is interesting to learn each of their perspectives on the same event.
The characters tell the story of how they remember the past, and that time in their lives when they were writing and performing original songs. The leader, Billy Dunne, and his brother Graham were the band’s nucleus. The Six were enjoying some success, but when they added Dixie Jones as the lead singer they catapulted to fame.
Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll
We learned about the process of writing and producing records and what it’s like to be a popular band on road tours around the country. The characters shared their feelings and passions which, at times, were quite raw. We see them both functional and dysfunctional amidst their love entanglements in the days of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Most members of the UMRA Book Club thought the novel was a fun read and were emotionally involved with the characters. Some felt the ending was rather abrupt; others appreciated the wrap up to learn where the characters landed after the band broke up. A few readers were simply tired of hearing about all the drug usage.
Daisy Jones & the Six is now a series on Amazon Prime. It wasn’t as well liked by one member of the Book Club because of their own vision of the characters, but it was fun for them to hear the music talked about in the book.
—Joni Mitchell, UMRA Book Club I
Book Club I in July
Fri, Jul 18, 2025, 2pm
The UMRA Book Club will discuss Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid when it meets via Zoom on July 18.
Upcoming Events
Jane Kirtley, JD, will be the guest speaker for UMRA’s luncheon forum on Tuesday, November 18. She will discuss challenges to preserving academic freedom and independent speech during the Trump Administration, and how institutions should respond to the unprecedented attacks on their independence.
Cathy Lee Gierke will present photos and talk about her cruise on the Rhine river, Italian Switzerland, Lake Como and Iceland -- and the history, culture and geology along the way.
Librarian Naomi Skulan and Associate Professor Kevin Whalen will present research on the Sacred Heart School for Indians and Morris Industrial School for Indians.
Book Club I will discuss An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Please join Michael Luxenberg on Monday, December 1, for a hike that is approximately 5 miles in length at an average pace of roughly 18–20 minutes per mile for our second hike this fall in the beautiful Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington.
Everyone's tax situation is different. Consult with a tax professional to come up with a financial plan well before year end.
There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
The customary November 4th Friday is the Thanksgiving weekend. Unless otherwise noted, we will meet Friday, December 5th.
The Campus Club in Minneapolis is inviting UMRA members to participate in focus group discussions this fall, to provide insight on the U of M retiree experience and generate ideas about how the Campus Club can serve our retiree community.
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Hey UMRA Gopher fans! Here’s a great opportunity to join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gopher Women’s Hockey team when they face off against the St. Thomas Tommies in Ridder Arena.
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There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
Meeting to plan books for next year.
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Here’s another great opportunity to buy discounted tickets and join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gophers when the Women’s Basketball team hosts the Purdue Boilermakers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on February 1.
UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles.