When I’m a parent I imagine myself driving down the road, playing Fallout Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and The Academy Is albums (from the mid-2000s) for my kids. When I was a kid, my mom did this with 80s music. I’m not an huge fan of the general style but I feel like the 80s and the 90s were a great time to be a kid.
Ok, on to the recommendations! (When you’re done, go check out Alexandra’s recs!)
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!
B O O K S
The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan) shows up on all those “must read” lists, but I hadn’t heard of it until a college roommate recommended it. I don’t know what it was, but once I sorted out which mother belonged to which daughter, I was so moved and swept up in their stories. I think this is a beautiful story about the struggles between old and new generations.
I read a book called Secret Daughter (Shilpi Somaya Gowda) for one of Erin’s challenges and ended up absolutely loving it. It was a very maternal book so I didn’t think I’d be able to relate, but it absolutely floored me. It also brought back such vivid memories of my trip to India.
M O V I E S
(1981) An incredibly under appreciated movie is Wet Hot American Summer. It was filmed in 2001 and stars Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Copper, Ken Marino, Molly Shannon, and so many more. It’s so dumb and goofy- it sucks you right in. If you really love it, they made some tv episodes, too.
(1982) While it’s admittedly a super raunchy movie, there’s something about Fast Times at Ridgemont High that makes me love it. It’s funny, but it’s also kind of disturbing in that the author of the book the film was based on actually went undercover as a student at a CA high school to develop these stories.
Three of my husband’s favorite movies are set in the 80s. He’d point you in the direction of The Wedding Singer (1985), Trading Places (1983), and Back to the Future (1985).
(The placement of apostrophes are important because of sentences like that one ^ )
I believe Alexandra is mentioning The Breakfast Club. I second that.
B O N U S
I know there are a millions 80s television shows, but I didn’t have a clue what to recommend. What do YOU recommend?
On Deck…
- While I don’t have any TV to recommend, I am hoping to catch GLOW sometime soon. I also was to watch Freaks and Geeks!
- Book-wise, Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt has been on my TBR list for a while.
And that about sums it up! Be sure to pop over to Alexandra’s blog and check out her recommendations, too!!
Obviously the 1990s is the greatest decade because we were born into this world 😉 Just kidding! Next month we’ll dive into the 90s and explore some of the best books, movies, tv shows, and more set in this decade! Dig out your scrunchies and overalls!
Did you miss our previous decades-themed posts? Find them here: 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970
Life as Louise 
I was born in 1983, I think that makes the 80s at least equally as great as the 90s 😉
You should definitely read Tell the Wolves I’m Home – I loved it!
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Hahaha- definitely! My husband was born in the 80s, too. I suppose 80s-born people are equally as great as us 90s kids 😉
I’ve heard good things about it!
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secret daughter is on my TBR list. and i subject K to everything 80s/90s and can’t wait for the day when she’s old enough for me to blast Biggy because the rap/hip hop in this generation is garbage.
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It was a heartwarming book (without completely disregarding the Indian culture and how females/mothers are treated).
Hahahahaha! My mom was all about exposing me to the 70s/80s. Probably before my little ears should’ve heard those words/lyrics. LOL
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I love movies from the 80s! You will love Glow, but give yourself a couple of episodes to get into it. Have you watched the new sequels to Wet Hot American Summer yet? So funny!
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Yes!! I love that whole series. I think it’s hilarious that the actors came back and played younger versions of themselves. Hahahaha.
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The 80’s has some great films what with John Hughes and all that. I totally second The Breakfast Club. I want to watch Freaks and Geeks sometime soon too. I can’t wait to see your 90’s post (that’s when I was born!)
Also, I love that you mentioned The Academy Is…I LOVE that band and people never really talk about them anymore, or knew who they were to begin with. haha
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I’m trying to get K to watch Freaks and Geeks with me. It’s only one season so I think I’ll breeze through it. (Hopefully anyway, haha.)
I LOVE The Academy Is…! We recently went to see them play through their whole first album live at a small venue. It was great 😀
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I LOVE GLOW! I didnt think I’d care for it – but its great!!!!
I totally thought instantly to Pretty in Pink. That prom scene at the end – totally 80’s
Wedding Singer is STILL one of my favorite movies!
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It’s such a strange thing to have a TV show about but I’ve only heard good reviews!
Kyle loves The Wedding Singer. He quotes it constantly. “They were cones!”
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This post is just dripping with 80s charm and Ra ra skirts!
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Hahaha- thank you! It’s definitely a definable era!
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My birth decade! What an interesting decade, lol. I’m a fan of the crimper and side ponytails. Love The Wedding Singer!!
Ashley @ A Cute Angle
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Now I want to wear a side pony to work tomorrow… lol!! The Wedding Singer is so silly but so cute 🙂
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wet hot American summer is so great!! i feel like you have to get it, but if you do it’s just so smart and hilarious. love these posts they give me so many great ideas for books and movies!
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I completely agree. The humor in those shows/the movie is oddddddd but so dang funny if it’s your kind of thing 😀 Thank you!! I’m glad you enjoy them! I can’t believe we’re been doing these for almost a year!
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i’m an 80s baby 🙂 i admit, i don’t know a whole lot about the genre in terms of music, movies or books. i have that secret daughter book on my list though!
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I will admit that I don’t like things that are quintessential 80s… No neon or bright leggings, hairbands, etc. I’m much more of a 90s lover 😉
Secret Daughter was so good, though! I really loved it.
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oh boy… faillll… 😦 I’ll hopefully get my post up tonight or tomorrow. OY! XO – Alexandra
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No worries, friend!! You got a post up in plenty of time 🙂 Life is so busy!!
I honestly can’t believe we only have two decades and a link-up to go!! WOW
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oh my goodness, this post made me want to immediately watch ALL those movies right now! ‘fast times’ gets me every time. i loooove it
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Hahaha- Fast Times is so terrible and yet so good, all at the same time.
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