A monthly book club for GenXers who love great stories, deep discussions, and a touch of nostalgia. We explore books across genres—from classics to modern gems, fiction to memoirs—sometimes with special guest authors! Join us as we celebrate reading, share our thoughts, and keep the GenX spirit alive, one book at a time.
The GenX Book Club
GenX Book Club: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Hosts: Paul Stroessner & Suzanne Mattaboni
In this episode of the GenX Book Club, Paul is joined by fellow GenX writer Suzanne Mattaboni (Once in a Lifetime) for a heartfelt, honest, and occasionally hilarious discussion about The Perks of Being a Wallflower—Stephen Chbosky’s raw and unforgettable coming-of-age story.
We unpack the novel’s unique letter-based format and how it allows us to experience Charlie’s inner world with startling intimacy. Then we turn to the film adaptation—talking about the pitch-perfect cast (hello, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller), the soundtrack that’s pure mixtape magic, and those unforgettable Rocky Horror scenes that made us feel like we were right there in the audience.
And yes, we get into that tunnel scene… Suzanne couldn’t help but slip into full-on mom mode at the sight of Sam standing in the back of a moving pickup truck. (“WHERE ARE THE SEATBELTS?!”)
📚 In this episode:
Why the book’s format hits so hard
How the movie lives up to the source material
GenX reflections on being a "wallflower"
Rocky Horror, David Bowie, and that tunnel scene
If you’ve ever felt unseen, awkward, or like you were on the outside looking in—this story is for you.
🎧 Press play and relive the feels.
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
📖 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
🔹 Follow Suzanne:
📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
🐦 X: @suzmattaboni
📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni
🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
💡 Connect with GenX Journeys
🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys
🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on:
✅ Apple Podcasts
✅ Spotify
✅ iHeartRadio
✅ Podbean
✅ PlayerFM
💡 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.
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!
GenX Book Club: The Most Beautiful by Mayte Garcia
🎙️ GenX Book Club – Mayte Garcia’s The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince
Hosts: Paul Stroessner & Suzanne Mattaboni
Book: The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince by Mayte Garcia
In this emotionally rich episode of GenX Book Club, Paul is joined by writer and GenXer Suzanne Mattaboni for a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion about The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince, the memoir by Mayte Garcia.
Mayte was not only Prince’s first wife but also a dancer, artist, and woman with her own compelling story. Suzanne and Paul dive into Mayte’s life before, during, and after her time with Prince—from her early days as a prodigy belly dancer to the whirlwind romance and deep heartbreak that followed.
💜 Topics we cover:
How Mayte’s identity and ambitions evolved independently of Prince
The beauty and complexity of their relationship
Grief, resilience, and finding purpose after loss
Behind-the-scenes glimpses of life with one of music’s most enigmatic icons
Reflections on how this memoir resonated with GenX readers
Whether you’re a lifelong Prince fan, new to Mayte’s story, or just love deep book discussions, this one’s for you.
📚 Book your spot for next month’s read: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky!
🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!
💬 Don’t forget to share your thoughts and favorite moments with us on social @GenXJourneys or email Paul@GenXJourneys.net.
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
📖 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
🔹 Follow Suzanne:
📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
🐦 X: @suzmattaboni
📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni
🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
💡 Connect with GenX Journeys
🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys
🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on:
✅ Apple Podcasts
✅ Spotify
✅ iHeartRadio
✅ Podbean
✅ PlayerFM
💡 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.
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!
GenX Book Club: Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew – The Mist & The Monkey
Hosts: Paul Stroessner, Suzanne Mattaboni, Del Roehling
📚 In this episode of GenX Book Club, we dive into Stephen King’s chilling collection, Skeleton Crew! Suzanne, Del, and I take a deep look at two standout stories: The Mist and The Monkey. From the eerie atmosphere of a small-town supermarket trapped in a supernatural fog to a haunted toy monkey with a deadly agenda, we explore what makes these stories so unforgettable.
🎬 But that’s not all! We also discuss the movie adaptations—how they compare to the original stories, what worked, what didn’t, and how King’s storytelling translates to the big screen.
If you love classic horror, Stephen King, or just a good dose of GenX nostalgia, this episode is for you!
🔥 Topics Covered
✅ The terrifying world of The Mist – book vs. movie
✅ The creepy, cymbal-clashing (or drum-banging) horror of The Monkey
✅ Why Skeleton Crew is a must-read for King fans
✅ How Stephen King’s short stories stand the test of time
✅ GenX memories of discovering King’s books and films
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
📖 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
🔹 Follow Suzanne:
📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
🐦 Twitter/X: @suzmattaboni
📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni
🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
💡 Connect with GenX Journeys
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys
🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on:
✅ Apple Podcasts
✅ Spotify
✅ iHeartRadio
✅ Podbean
✅ PlayerFM
💡 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.
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!
GenX Book Club: A Totally Excellent Evening with Diane Franklin!
Get ready for an unforgettable GenX Book Club meeting featuring the one and only Diane Franklin! The iconic star of Better Off Dead, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, The Last American Virgin, and Amityville II: The Possession joins us for a lively discussion about her books, career, and the enduring magic of the ‘80s.
Diane treats us to her legendary Monique Junot accent from Better Off Dead and revisits her role as the Bill & Ted princess, bringing pure nostalgia to the conversation! But that’s not all—she also shares incredible life advice, stories from Hollywood, and insights into her journey as an actress and author.
Where to Find Diane Franklin
📚 Diane’s books are available on Amazon and at DianeFranklin.com (signed copies available upon request!).
🎭 Upcoming Appearances:
Gallifrey One Convention – February 14 at the Marriott in Los Angeles, CA (Doctor Who fans, this one’s for you!)
The Sands in Cancun – November 3-8. More details at TheSands.rocks
More from the GenX Book Club Crew
📖 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
Follow Suzanne:
Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
Facebook
🎙️ Del (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
💡 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.
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!
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