“I think you have to have faith in people before they earn it. Otherwise it’s not faith, right?”
If you loved Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and you’re wondering what you should read next, you’ve found yourself in the right place. This list of books like Daisy Jones and the Six will whisk you on a journey through big-hearted stories about music, fame, and the complex dynamics of creative partnerships. Whether you’re craving novels told in a documentary or interview style, or you’re pulled toward the drama of rock bands and celebrity lives, these books all offer the same page-turning mix of romance, conflict, and unforgettable characters. From stories set in the music industry to those with similar themes of ambition and rivalry, join us today at What We Reading for the best books similar to Daisy Jones and the Six that promise to keep you hooked from the first page to the last.
Daisy Jones And The Six Summary
Daisy Jones and the Six is a captivating, fictional oral history about the rise and fall of a 1970s rock band. The story is told through interviews with band members, producers, and others involved in their journey, giving readers a tantalising behind-the-scenes look at the music industry and the complicated dynamics of fame. Daisy Jones, a wild and free-spirited singer with a raw, magnetic talent, crosses paths with Billy Dunne, the lead guitarist of the band, The Six.
Together, they conjure chart-topping hits, but their undeniable chemistry soon leads to professional and personal turmoil. As the band rises to stardom, tensions mount, relationships become strained, and the allure of fame starts to take its toll. The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, addiction, and the cost of success. Filled with colourful characters and a glittery, glamorous backdrop, Daisy Jones and the Six is a poignant exploration of the rock ‘n’ roll era and the complexities of artistic collaboration.
The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
First up on our setlist of books like Daisy Jones and the Six is another one of the best books by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, a captivating novel that tells the life story of Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive, infamous Hollywood icon. At the age of seventy-nine, Evelyn decides to give an exclusive interview to Monique Grant, a young, struggling journalist. Throughout their conversations, Evelyn unveils the truth about her seven marriages, the sacrifices she made for fame, and the secrets she’s kept from the public eye.
As Evelyn’s story unfolds, it becomes clear that each of her husbands has played a pivotal role in her career and personal life; however, the true love of her life and the real story behind her rise to fame are far more complicated than anyone could have imagined. The novel explores themes of love, ambition, identity, and the cost of fame, and it delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly those between women.
The Final Revival Of Opal & Nev – Dawnie Walton
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a vibrant, multi-layered novel set in the 1970s, told through an oral history format similar to Daisy Jones and the Six. Also like Jenkins Reid’s book, the story charts the rise and fall of a fictional rock duo, Opal, a bold and charismatic Black singer, and Nev, a British musician who becomes her partner in both music and scandal.
The story opens decades after the band’s heyday, when Opal and Nev are asked to reunite for a documentary. As the narrative gets underway through interviews with band members, friends, and those affected by their fame, we learn about the duo’s explosive chemistry, the struggles they faced in a racially-charged music industry, and the tragic events which led to their split. The novel explores themes of identity, race, fame, and the price of success, whilst also tackling the issues of inequality, betrayal, and the complexities of creative partnerships.
High Fidelity – Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby’s classic work High Fidelity is a witty and insightful novel that centres on Rob Fleming, a thirty-five-year-old record shop owner in London, who is reeling from the end of his most recent relationship. Rob’s obsession with top five lists – whether about music, movies, or relationships – serves as both a coping mechanism and a way of making sense of his life. As he reflects on his past relationships, and especially his five breakups, Rob begins to confront his fears and shortcomings, questioning why he has struggled to maintain connections that last.
Through his humorous and often self-deprecating musings, the novel explores themes of love, regret, and the difficulties involved with growing up. Like Daisy Jones and the Six, High Fidelity is both a love letter to music and a sharp, relatable commentary on the messiness of relationships and personal growth. With its endearing yet flawed protagonist, the book examines how nostalgia, identity and self-reflection shape our connections with others, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Just Kids – Patti Smith
Looking for a book like Daisy Jones and the Six that’s set in the real world, following real-life creatives? Just Kids by Patti Smith is a poignant and lyrical memoir that recounts the author’s coming-of-age years in New York City and her transformative relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Set against the vibrant setting of NYC in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the book charts the artistic and emotional journey of these two young artists as they attempt to find their voices whilst navigating the bohemian culture of the city.
Through vivid, candid recollections, Smith reflects on their struggles, triumphs, and the deep bond they shared as they both rose to fame in their respective fields. Just Kids isn’t just a love letter to Mapplethorpe, but also a meditation on art, creativity, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. It’s a beautiful, tender account of youth, love, and the transformative power of art that any fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books is sure to love.
The Beautiful Ones – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Beautiful Ones are Loisail’s most notorious socialites, and this spring represents Nina’s best chance to join their ranks, largely thanks to her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and Nina’s debut has gone hideously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis, and the haphazard manifestations of her powers have led to her becoming seriously distrusted by her neighbours.
When entertainer Hector Auvray arrives in town, Nina is dazzled. A telekinetic like her, he has travelled the world performing for adoring audiences. With Hector’s help, Nina’s talent soon begins to blossom, as does her love for him. But great romances are reserved for fairytales. Hector is hiding a truth from Nina – and himself – that threatens to end their courtship before it even begins. The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a charming tale of love and betrayal, the struggle between conformity and passion, set in a world sprinkled with magic where scandal is a razor-sharp weapon.
Normal People – Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney’s Normal People is another one of the best books like Daisy Jones and the Six for anyone looking for another gripping story about complex people and their complex relationships. Set in a small Irish town and later at university, the story follows the evolving relationship between Connell and Marianne as they navigate through love, friendship and personal growth. Connell is a quiet, popular boy, and Marianne, an intelligent but socially awkward girl, form an unlikely friendship that deepens over time.
Their relationship is shaped by their individual struggles with family, self-worth and identity, as well as the societal expectations that weigh on them. Rooney’s writing is sharp, perceptive and honest, capturing the raw, sometimes uncomfortable moments of intimacy and the complexities of modern love. Normal People delves into the profound impact of our relationships, demonstrating how they shape us in unexpected ways and leave lasting impressions on our lives.
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The Paper Palace – Miranda Cowley Heller
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller is a compelling and emotionally layered novel that unfolds over the span of a single summer’s day at a family house on Cape Cod. The story orbits around Elle, a middle-aged woman who finds herself at a crossroads in her life, grappling with a life-altering choice. As Elle reflects on her past, the novel ties together her memories of family, love, betrayal, and loss, particularly focusing on her complicated relationships with her childhood best friend Jonas and her husband, Peter.
Through alternating timelines, The Paper Palace delves into themes of love, guilt, and the choices that define our lives. Heller deftly explores the tension between the past and the present in a way that anyone who loved Daisy Jones and the Six is sure to recognise, showing how one pivotal moment can alter the course of a person’s life forever. The Paper Palace is gripping, evocative and a beautiful story about family secrets, the weight of unresolved feelings, and the intricate, sometimes painful path we go through to understand ourselves.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
