April’s Read By Patty J/Barrington Books selection is the novel Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the story of the rise of the fictional band of the same name in 1970’s Los Angeles. (Twitter is flooded with fans of the book debating WHO should play Daisy in a movie adaptation btw.) And I couldn’t think of a better choice to review it than my fav free spirit and gypsy chic gal, Karen Gomes. A native Rhode Islander, she also spent a great deal of time in LA, as a makeup artist at the iconic Fred Segal and a muse to many a singer-songwriter and rock star. Keep scrolling for her take on this read that’s taking the book world by storm.

Let’s all go back to the playground that was Jim Morrison’s LA and the excesses and iconic landmarks of the music scene on the Sunset Strip during the 1970’s: from the Whisky a Go Go and the edgy yet glamorous Chateau Marmont to Barney’s Beanery and the sex, drugs, & rock and roll parties of Topanga Canyon…

Daisy Jones & The Six brings that decadent, magical, everything goes lifestyle to life. Brooding Billy Dunn, talented and handsome lead singer soon to be rockstar, meets gorgeous singer-songwriter Daisy Jones. A natural vocal talent - and a gypsy-wild-sexy-free-spirit with a fierce drug habit who makes other people do crazy things. Two magnetic talents destined to come together musically and become superstars.

Written in an unusual interview style (shades of Rolling Stone magazine), each band member goes from recollecting their early days of being in a semi-successful band to meeting Daisy, then, to becoming an international music phenomenon. Certain details may remind you of the mythology around Fleetwood Mac and the Cameron Crowe’s movie homage to his early days at Rolling Stone, Almost Famous…I, for one, could inject myself into each and every location. I have been there: Los Angeles was my 2nd home for almost 18 years.

This book was so entertaining I could not stop turning pages. The story brought me back to what made the past LA music scene so magical that it still resonates to this day. The names have been changed, but there are echoes of real life rock icons. It’s a blast! Highly recommend.

*This post is part of an ongoing #ReadByPattyJ Book Club & Event collaboration with Barrington Books and Barrington Books Retold. Every month, the Read By Patty J selection is 20% off the list price when you mention “Read By Patty J” at checkout. Also stay tuned for in-store events and special happenings. For more details, click here.

More About Karen

Born and raised in Rhode Island. Left hometown for Los Angeles dreams in 1985 where I honed my makeup artist craft, especially skincare. LA women are skincare serious, as am I.

Returned to Rhode Island in 2001, began working at Nordstrom as a makeup artist. Along the way, I have also built an extensive, freelance wedding makeup business.

My passion is educating women on simple makeup and skincare with lessons. Their amazing reaction to seeing their true self revealed after a makeover warms my spirit. Their smile says it all, and a genuine smile is the best makeup we have!

I enjoy a clean, healthy lifestyle and also have compassion for animals. Cat Mom to Romeo. Would open an animal sanctuary with my dream lottery winnings. Another thing on my bucket list is a trek to Africa, where I foster and support orphaned baby elephants.