Welcome to the Sixties, friends. This is an era that gives me total anxiety. For being the birth of the whole “peace & love” movement, it’s an incredibly violent decade. War and anti-war riots, violent sexual diseases and rampant drug use, Helter Skelter, the JFK assassination, etc. That’s A LOT to take in a 10 year span. Plus the violence associated with (and mostly against) the Civil Rights Movement, second-wave feminism, and the Gay Rights Movement.
There is NO part of me that wishes I was alive and active in the 60s. Flower child, I am not.
On the first Tuesday of the month, February through November, we’re highlighting books & films from/about specific eras that we recommend! (Television shows, too, sometimes!) There’s no commitment or link-up during those months on your end, but in December we’ll host a recap/link-up for the entire year!
While I adamantly dislike the 60s, I admit there are some amazing books and movies set in this decade. (Check out Alexandra‘s recs, too… And wish her a happy birthday!!)
B O O K S
Lots of YA and middle school literature here. But also some of the best books ever.
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (E.L. Konigsburg) was first read to me in 3rd grade and I think I’ve read it half a dozen times since then. It’s cute and it’s set in a museum and it’s the perfect introverted kid’s (adult’s?) fantasy of running away and living in a museum 🙂
One of my favorite books ever is The Phantom Tollbooth (Norton Juster). It’s witty and adorable and chocked full of puns. I love it. It’s a good lesson about how life is only as dull as you perceive it.
I’d be remiss to go through the 60s without mentioning The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton). It blows my mind that this story was written by a 16 year old high school girl. I mean, pretty much all of US had to read it in hs, right?? So incredible. Stay gold, guys. Stay gold…
M O V I E S
One night, probably during a thunderstorm, I was laying on the couch with the dogs and happened upon The Night of the Iguana on TCM. It’s a strange, strange movie, full of vice and madness (originally a play by Tennessee Williams) but it stuck with me.
(1962) My family loves the movie Secondhand Lions. It’s a heartwarming classic and if you haven’t seen it, I URGE you to watch it. (Also, if you’re anything like me and you worry about the treatment of animals in film, here is the AH rating for the film. The lion, pig, and dogs were treat 100% humanely. Spoilers in that link, just FYI.)
(1962) I love the X-Men movie franchise and X-Men: First Class is my favorite film. It reveals a lot about some of the mutants’ pasts, it has most of my favorite characters, and it has all my favorite X-Men actors (although I wish we saw more of Jackman- there’s only a short scene).
(1964) One of K’s favorite movies EVER is That Thing You Do. Probably because the main character is a charismatic drummer and the whole thing is a little goofy. Plus it has Tom Hanks and Liv Tyler.
*dates indicate setting, not release
B O N U S
Last week Lindsay mentioned the You Must Remember When podcast on her blog. I am not a podcast listener- at all. But I got curious and tuned in to the one about Lauren Bacall. Dang. I am 100% hooked. Episodes 44-55 detail the Charles Manson insanity- which happened in the 60s. It’s nuts & perfect for history lovers. I might’ve consumed +8 hours of Manson Family-related history this past weekend…
I will definitely be mentioning this podcast in future RSFB posts, too. I listen to it on Spotify.
Back when it was on TV in 2015, I loved The Astronaut Wives’ Club (abc). The stories and acting and history drew me right in! It’s based on the true book by Lilly Koppel, which I plan to read soon!
I still can’t figure out why Pan Am was canceled… It has SO many big names and I loved the stories! Admittedly, I haven’t seen the last few episodes in the series but I plan to. This show starred Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, and Michael Mosley to name a few.
On the shelf…
I’ve tried many time to read The Help but it’s always a DNF. I haven’t given up yet, though.
When these film trailers were released I wanted to see them, but then life got busy. I’m still hoping to watch The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Big Eyes, and definitely Hidden Figures someday!
The mini-series called The Kennedys caught my attention when it was first released and I remember watching the first episode, but then I got distracted. I’d like to go back and watch the whole thing soon!
Alright, that’s it from me today 🙂 You’ll find more 1960s books, movies, and TV shows over in Alexandra‘s corner of the internet!!
The 1970s saw political scandal, the rise of feminism, and environmentalism and anti-war protests. It was a weird time for the United States and the world. We’ll be sharing our favorite movies, books, and television shows that encapsulate the strange and groovy 70s.
Did you miss our previous decades-themed posts? Find them here: 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950
Life as Louise 
The Kennedys was so fascinating!
I’m currently writing my master thesis on TV show depitcing the 60’s 😀
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I remember watching the first episode, then getting off track. I bet that’d be a fun thesis to work on!!
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Give me The Outsiders, then drop me back in the ‘80s, where the real magic happened. Best of everything, before the Information Superhighway came and snatched away life as we knew it. Goodbye, Saturday Morning Cartoons. Goodbye, playing outside until the street lights came on. Goodbye, economy. Goodbye, Hills and ToysRUs! What’s left?
I appreciate my digital delicacies as an adult and eat them as I’m told, but I’d never want this garbage invading my adolescent years. Give me a Walkman and a VHS to fix the tracking on and get off my lawn. 😉
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Haha. I tend to think I was born in just the right decade 🙂 The 90s had enough electronics to keep me connected but not so many that I forgot to go outside and play! It’s tough to imagine life without all the digital conveniences now…
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Love this post! So fun. I love That Thing You do! Jimmy and Guy are both so dreamy. Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors. The 60s were a fascinating decade, and it’s amazing how we seem to be still dealing with the same social injustices in current time. I really enjoyed the Astronaut’s Wives Club miniseries too. Those Kennedys sure were weasels. Can’t wait to read your other posts and get in on the link up next month!
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I love all of Tom Hanks’ “old movies”- the ones where he plays a character from the past. That Thing You Do, A League of Their Own… So good! The 60s are definitely fascinating and I love reading about them, I would just NEVER pick that as a decade to live. Haha. It’s crazy that we’re still dealing with similar social issues.
We’re doing a link-up in December for anyone who wants to link-up with their decade recommendations! If you want to link up before that I know Alexandra and I would love to link to your post, too! We do this the first Tuesday of every month! Next month is the 70s 🙂
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Yeah, I’m glad I wasn’t alive in the 60’s but they did release some good books. The Outsiders is one of my all-time favorites!! I still really want to see the movie Big Eyes as well.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I think it’s a fascinating decade. SO many crazy stories and stuff. I just would never ever ever choose to live in that decade. So much craziness!!
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Oh The Phantom Tollbooth… what a classic!
I don’t think I would have liked the 60s either, ha.
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I just love that story! It’s slow movie and nothing like teen books from today, but such a classic!
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That song will be stuck in my head now from That Thing You Do 🙂
So do you just not like The Help? I really loved that book. Did you watch the movie?
I just got The Outsiders from the library – never read it – only seen the movie. cant wait to dive into it
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Haha! Sorry… You’re right, though. Just thinking about the title puts the song in my head!
I haven’t seen the movie The Help because I wanted to wait until I’d read the book… but I just can’t get through the book. I will someday. I haven’t given up just yet!
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Oooh fun! I need to re-read The Mixed Up Files, and re-watch Secondhand Lions.That movie is so good and it’s been way too long since I’ve seen it. Spoiler… I think the astronaut wives show is going to be way better than the book. The writing is irking me. Pan Am sounds good… gosh! I didn’t even know about it. So many good things to read and watch.
XO,
Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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Both that book and that movie are SO good. I love love love Secondhand Lions ❤ The Astronaut Wives Club is SUCH a good show. I loved it the entire time it was on! Pan Am was cancelled way. too. soon. I loved that show. I still haven't seen the last half of the season, though, so at least I have more to watch. Bummer about TAWC book! I have it as a category choice for Erin's challenge!
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Funnily enough yesterday I was just saying that my husband would give anything to be born in the 60s! Me, I’m not sure (though the 20s sure would be fun!)
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I think I’d thrive in the 40s! I love that era. Then again… I don’t do well with any lack of rights (female, LGBTQ+, race, religion) so maybe this decade of free speech and resistance is the right one for me 😉
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