In this month’s GenX Book Club, Paul Stroessner, Suzanne Mattaboni, and Del Roehling dive into Michael Koresky’s heartfelt memoir-meets-film-critique, Films of Endearment: A Mother, a Son, and the ‘80s Films That Defined Us.
Koresky revisits ten female-driven films of the 1980s with his mother, using them as a lens to explore family, loss, identity, and how movies shape the way we see the world. The discussion covers:
How films like 9 to 5, Terms of Endearment, Aliens, and Baby Boom look different when revisited decades later
Reflections on workplace inequality, motherhood, identity, and resilience portrayed in these movies
How generational and personal experiences change the way we view iconic films over time
Connections to movies like Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean and Crossing Delancey
Why the ‘80s still feels like a “golden age” for character-driven, female-led stories
The team also shares their own movie memories, from watching creature features as kids to experiencing how VHS tapes and early cable changed the way we consumed film, as well as some emotional connections to the films that Michael Koresky covers in this book.
Next month’s pick: The Celebrants by Steven Rowley, a heartfelt story of friendship and second chances that flashes between the ‘90s and today.
📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime)
🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com
🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com
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🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
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💡 Whether you’re a die-hard ‘80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes.
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