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
The UMRA Photo Club will next meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony branch library in the small shopping center at New Brighton and St. Anthony Boulevards in St. Anthony, just north of the Twin Cities. For those interested in lunch, meet at the nearby Great Dragon Buffet at 11:30 a.m.
Please join the UMRA Family History Interest Group meeting on Wednesday, March 11, via Zoom, when Michelle Casey will present “DNA Testing and Analysis Using 23andMe, Ancestry, and MyHeritage.”
Public health is extremely important—and right now it is very confusing. Join us to ask questions and share your thoughts and concerns about the current state of our public health system.
UMRA’S March workshop will explore how to transform your memories, including those that have faded with time, into lively true stories. It will also show you how to reflect on them, how to express how you felt, and how to connect your stories to the values and beliefs you want to pass on.
Join fellow UMRA members for “Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" lunch at the Campus Club in Minneapolis. This is a pilot program for spring 2026.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss The Bohemian Flats by Mary Relindes Ellis when it meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20. Jim Lewis will lead the discussion.
University of Minnesota General Counsel Douglas Peterson will be the featured speaker for UMRA’s March 24 luncheon forum. He will speak about how the University is addressing its latest challenges and opportunities involving law.
'Seabiscuit' by Laura Hillenbrand
Join fellow UMRA members for a morning hike in Theodore Wirth Park to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Monday, April 6.
Chris Gade, VP for University marketing communications, will join UMRA members on Tuesday, April 7, for the first in a new series of informal “Campus Conversations” to be held at the Campus Club in Minneapolis.
This month's theme is mountains, valleys and canyons.
"Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" is a pilot program for spring 2026.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss Rin Tin Tin by Susan Orlean when it meets via Zoom on Friday, April 17. Diane Madson-Kay will lead the discussion.
Bev leads a hike along Old Cedar Avenue.
Under Terry Straub's leadership, Hennepin County/UMN Extension has created the most ambitious master gardener program in Minnesota. His visit with us will feature the topic of lifelong gardening and how gardens can evolve with us and our life cycles.
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Ever wonder what goes on behind the shiny walls of the Weisman Art Museum on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus?
Family history with Craig Moody. A tale with many dead ends.
Pete leads this hike at the Arboretum.
Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" is a pilot program for spring 2026.