Cover Image: Daisy Jones & The Six

Daisy Jones & The Six

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Member Reviews

Music lovers rejoice! This one will suck you in. It has notes of a lot of bands from the 70's era.I liked how it was written from the view points of the band members and those closest to them. Taylor has written another good one.

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The format of this book took a little getting used to, but once I was into it the pages flew by! I was very invested in all of the characters and fascinated by the "documentary" feel. This book feels perfect for a screen adaptation, as Reid's writing makes you picture all of the people and the way they speak.

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This story felt so real. It reads like an extended interview you might find in an old issue of Rolling Stone. I actually stopped to google the band because I wasn't sure this was fiction a few pages in. Taylor Jenkins Reid paced the story so perfectly. I couldn't put it down. She captured the spirit of this period of time so authentically that I want to know if she was actually there. Or if her parents were there. Vividly told story using a clever plot device.

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Well I know I'm standing out from the 5 star crowd on this one but I'll share my thoughts on why I didn't love this book, one of my MOST anticipated books of 2019. I'll start by saying I've loved several of TJR's books I read this past year...Evelyn, One True Loves and After I Do are at the top of my list so even though I knew this was about a rock band in the 70s with a tribute to rock music in general, neither of which I enjoy, I still believed I'd enjoy this because it's TJR! That being said, if you enjoy both rock music, bands, and reading about the lifestyle from the 70s you very well may love this book.

It's structured in an interview style format (for the whole book) with many characters getting a chance to speak, including the band members and all those involved in their lives. This interview format lent itself to short snippets from the characters, repetitive behind the scenes music details, concert details, song details, lots and lots of drug use scenes, etc. I get it, drugs and alcohol, especially in rock bands, was big in the 70's and 80s but I wanted more from this story and these characters if that makes sense. For me, this structure left me feeling disconnected from the story and characters because I didn't feel immersed in the storyline. I should've connected with the main characters Daisy and Billy but I didn't. I liked Camilla but honestly couldn't understand her motivations so I'd say my favorite character in the end was Simone, Daisy's best friend. I love that TJR took a chance on a completely different format for telling this story and for a gazillion others it will work, just not for me unfortunately. I'm still a fan though and will be eagerly waiting for her next book!!

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Early reviews for this book gush about it. And, of course, we all know Reese Witherspoon already purchased the rights for a limited Amazon series. All of this, coupled with the fact that Taylor is one of my favorite authors, means I was expecting to be singing this book’s praises, too. But...I simply didn’t connect with it.

I’m disappointed to write those words. I love Taylor’s books. I tell everyone I meet to read Forever, Interrupted and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Daisy Jones & The Six is a complete departure, though — from her style, from her pacing. Before I get into why I didn’t love this book, let me first say that there is zero argument that it’s impeccably written. After the first “chapter,” I googled whether or not this band is real. Because Taylor masters their individual voices. It’s unfathomable that one woman wrote 10(?) unique voices, their stories unfolding so authentically that you would think it’s a real interview and not total fiction. Taylor’s talent blows me away.

Similarly, this book is one-of-a-kind different. This isn’t something you’ve seen or read before in the fiction world. Which again speaks to Taylor’s vision — her undeniable creativity. Her style has grown measures since her debut, Forever, Interrupted. And that’s also where my disconnection with Daisy Jones & The Six begins.

I fell in love with Taylor’s writing style from her first book. The following four, I loved in almost equal measure (there is only one I felt was a miss). I was so thrown by the narrative format when I started Daisy Jones that I only continued to stumble. I had no idea the book would be written in interview style, with alternating voices always speaking to the omnipresent author and not each other, not really.

Because of this, you only ever get dialogue. There is no traditional character development through background storytelling. For me, that’s one tradition I need while reading fiction in order to truly connect with a character — to feel emotionally invested in their journey. Because of this, while I found these characters interesting, I didn’t really care what happened to them. I felt so far removed. Like I was indeed reading an article, which is emotionally a wildly different feeling than learning about a character’s internal struggles and backgrounds.

Some will argue that we got those very things in Daisy Jones. And we did, to an extent. But again, because of the format, those things are always told to us, not shown. Which for me, creates a detachment from the heart of the emotion.

Ultimately, I never looked forward to picking this book back up. I didn’t think about it all day, waiting to get home to start in again. I just knew I had to read it. I’ve racked my brain for answers as to why I didn’t like this, especially when all other early reviewers LOVE it. And I think it comes down to two things: one, the format, as described above, and two, the plot. Because as it turns out, I guess I just don’t connect all that much with the self-imposed struggles musicians go through. Unlike Taylor’s other books, where the “hero’s journey” is completely relatable, and you close the book feeling understood, Daisy Jones feels like a hyped-up Behind the Music, a bit fantastical, and so far unrelated to your everyday life as an average human.

I’m sure thousands of people will love this book. And I actually really look forward to it as a TV show (I almost think it’ll work better that way). But it’s not for me. I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t like the characters, and not in a fun way like you hate Nick and Amy in Gone, Girl. They’re just not the type of people I want to read about. They’re too selfish and narcissistic (masquerading as introspective), and I never felt stirred by their attempt to be deep and poetic in their music. I didn’t feel it. And this is why books are really so subjective. Some stories speak to people, and others don’t even whisper.

I hope others continue to love Daisy Jones, because I want all of the success for Taylor. Until then, I’m excited to give the show, and her next book, a try.

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“If I had one book to recommend to my friends this year, it would be Daisy Jones and the Six. It is perfectly paced which is to say “addictive” and “compulsive.” Every character is uniquely drawn. There’s not a single cliche. The ending was perfect. The original lyrics add an unexpected and meaningful depth. Every star, both thumbs, a definite pick.
MM Finck, Women Writers, Women’s Books”

Shared in Litsy and goodreads. Will post on booksbywomen.org along with my interview with Taylor on pub day, as well as amazon and social media.

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The Dunne Brothers start a band in their teens trying to make sense of their life outside their abusive dad. Daisy Jones is trying to find her way in life that includes singing. They wander their separate careers until the starts align and they collide. What they create is nothing short of amazing. What happens next is all to familiar with bands - feelings, drugs and families get in the way.

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Daisy Jones & The Six will stick with me for quite awhile. I loved this book. I will be thinking about these characters and their stories long after closing the pages. Taylor Jenkins Reid does such a phenomenal job of dropping the reader right into the heart of the story and making you feel as if you are in the same room as the characters. I could feel the emotional tension between characters while reading.

This book is written in a unique way which makes it even more fun to read. Daisy Jones is a socialite who is living freely and on her own terms. The Six is a band that was created organically and working to be the next big thing. Watching the two worlds come together is a fun ride. The relationships get complicated and emotions are high. It is a lot what you might think of when you think of bands in the 70s but this gives you an inside look. The author did such a great job that at times I was wondering if the people were real!

If you liked the style of Evelyn Hugo, you will really enjoy this book!

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Thank you Netgalley for the advanced read.

When I started this book, I was very surprised of the writing style. I thought it was Daisy's point of view. Little did I know, it was more of a magazine article. I LOVED it. I loved all the characters. Made me laugh and tear up a little. I want more!!

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I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I had read other books from this author so I was interested in reading this novel, too. I knew nothing about it.

For the first few pages I kept flipping back and forth and trying to figure out if this was fiction, who was who, what I was reading. Ha! Since I knew I liked this author I kept going and by about page 12 I was hooked.

While reading this, I had the feeling that I was reading a long magazine interview, and kept thinking "how much longer is this article?". Which is funny, since the book is written as an interview. The author easily manipulated my mind, which makes me laugh as I write this.

Had a hard time putting this book down, even though it took me three days to read it. Life got in the way of finishing in one session.

Definitely a great read, and the ending... will tug your heartstrings.

Oh! And this book was filled with tension. Not necessarily between the characters, but between the reader and the words. Anxious to read, scared to go on; a very interesting sensation while reading.

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TJR has done it again, but in yet a completely different direction, and in a complete departure from all of her other fantastic books. This is unlike any book I've ever read in the way the story is told, especially being that it is fiction. I'm still in awe of the fact that it's not real, and that I can't go to Wikipedia to read more about Daisy or Billy or any of the others. I know I will be thinking about these characters for days to come and will always wonder what came of that last letter's request. I honestly was not all that interested when reading the synopsis of this book, but gave it a shot because of it being by Reid. I loved it and am so happy I went for it. Highly recommend.

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"The truth often lies, unclaimed, in the middle."

I couldn't put this book down and read it in four days. Every story has two sides, if not more and that is exactly what this book showed.

I love love loved this book and can't wait for it to come out so everyone can read. I was OBSESSED with Seven Husbands and was excited when Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her latest!

You rooted for all of the characters despite their flaws and it reminded me of the bands I love from that era of music. If you love music, rock-'n'-roll, unrequited love and just a good book - you will enjoy this one.

I also LOVED that that lyrics for the album were included at the end! Would love to see this made into a movie! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

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Even though I'm not the biggest fan of oral histories, "Daisy Jones & the Six" was a fun read. The story of a Fleetwood Mac-like band, it had its share of rock-and-roll angst, primarily around substance abuse, but those moments were punctuated with enough comic relief from some of the supporting characters to keep this a breezy, fast read. What really impressed me, though, is that just when I thought this book was going to fall into the "entertaining but not all that deep or memorable" pile, the final set pieces packed an unexpected emotional wallop.

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I'm on a roll lately with 5 star books. Wait a minute 2 of them were from Taylor Jenkins Reid. I haven't read a book by her I didn't love. This book is already getting a lot of buzz, Reese Witherspoon is making it into a movie and I can see why. It's written like an interview with Daisy Jones and the Six. I love that concept. It's a story about sex, drugs and rock n' roll. I wanted this band to be real, but sadly, it's fiction. You know what is real though, the playlist for Daisy Jones and the Six on Spotify. YES!!!

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Such a creative book! I really felt like I was reading an account about a real band from the 70s. Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint with this book. Told in a unique interview format, the members of the fictional band The Six and singer Daisy Jones recount their rise to the top of the music charts and the sex, drugs, family relationships and inner demons along their rock n roll journey. The characters of Daisy and Billy, at times you want to hate them and at other times you just want to hug them and tell them everything will be alright. You really feel like you are reading a behind the music special with this book and I cannot wait to see how this book translates to the screen with the limited TV series being created and to see this fictional band come to life and the songs be performed.

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The entire time reading this, I had to remind myself that Daisy Jones and The Six is a fictional rock band. Taylor Jenkins Reid creates characters that feel so real! Combine that with the fact that the story was told in interview-style (excluding questions), it was hard to believe it was fictional! TJR has a way with words that very few authors have – I was completely enthralled in the world of 70s Rock/Pop music scene, a world that I know very little (read: nothing) about. There were many characters and each had a unique story or perspective to be told, combining together to tell the story of the rise and fall of one of the most popular rock bands. I highly recommend this to TJR fans and fans of 70s rock bands.

Thanks to Taylor Jenkins Reid, the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

TJR has just elevated to auto buy status. Loved Evelyn Hugo. Loved her recent short story. So I decided to pick up this on a plane ride. Best. Decision. Ever. (Or at least of the day. Can’t tell my husband picking a book trumps marrying him😂).

Told in an interview format, I was hooked from page one. I was vested in each member of that band. They each had a role in this story. Not one of them felt unnecessary or ever wavered from who they really were. Which to me was highly impressive. Seven band members was a lot to write for. But TJR did it perfectly. And though she wasn’t in the band I have nothing but serious love for Camila. She was by far my favorite. She had so much goodness and faith and love and strength.

Beautiful prose throughout this whole book. So many lines made me stop reading so it could sink in. When this comes out in March snag a copy. The moment your library adds it to the catalog put it on hold. Trust me!

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I loved TJR's last book but I did find the interview format on this one a bit jarring. I did, however, think the story was very good.

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Where do I start? I really enjoyed this book - it felt like I was watching a really great episode of Behind the Music. The author did such a masterful job of telling the story that I went in search of more information, convinced that the band was real, or at least heavily inspired by a real band. I was downright giddy to hear that a mini series will be made. I am oddly excited to hear the music. It’s a testament to the work that the entire book revolves around music you can’t hear, and you’re still somehow enthralled.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

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So, yep. This does it. It's official. TJR is in my top favorite authors list. I LOVED The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo more than anything I'd read in a long time, and now here comes Daisy Jones and The Six, all unassuming and modest. This book hasn't even been released yet and it's already been picked up as a 13 episode series by Reese Witherspoon and Amazon. I can tell you--you've never read a book like this before. Daisy Jones and The Six is written in a most unique format. It's like an interview, but with no actual questions, like a transcript, I guess. It's like Behind the Music, written version. The members of this fictional 70's band are just telling their story throughout the book, taking turns. The many voices can be too much at first, but I settled into it and started enjoying the story so much, understanding why it's written this way, and then I didn't even notice it anymore. This is sex, drugs, and rock n' roll at its finest. And it was reallllly hard to pick some favorite quotes to share since I have about a thousand highlights in this book.
(This is an Advanced Reader's Copy and all quotes are subject to change upon publication.)

"Some people don't threaten each other. And other people threaten everything about each other. Just the way it is."

"Which is what we all want from art, isn't it? When someone pins down something that feels like it lives inside us? Takes a piece of your heart out and shows it to you? It's like they are introducing you to a part of yourself."

"I'm saying that when you really love someone, sometimes the things they need may hurt you, and some people are worth hurting for."

"All I will say is that you show up for your friends on their hardest days. And you hold their hand through the roughest parts. Life is about who is holding your hand and, I think, whose hand you commit to holding."

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