4 Books Perfect For Fans Of The Hit '80s Series Family Ties

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The popular NBC '80s television series "Family Ties" captured a unique cultural moment. The show was set in a fictionalized version of Columbus, Ohio, and depicted the — often hilarious — generational divide between idealistic ex-hippie parents and their children, who were devoted to Reagan and consumerism. "Hip parents, square kids," wrote one Reddit user. "It was a flip of the normal formula that was a breath of fresh air at the time." In particular, Michael J. Fox shot to fame as Alex P. Keaton, the family's conservative, suit-wearing eldest son.

But the clever concept isn't why this show remains so close to fan hearts, even decades after its 1982 premiere. Though it was a sitcom, "Family Ties" did an excellent job of balancing funny with sincere. "It was far from the perfect family of the 'Leave It to Beaver' era, but it was also not as dysfunctional as 'Married with Children' or 'The Simpsons,'" wrote one Reddit user. "The show covered life as a middle class family with real struggles. Not every episode ended perfectly, but it showed that life had to move on."

"Family Ties" ran for seven seasons before ending. Fox's character had grown up and left home, and writers felt the show's story had reached its natural conclusion. But if you're longing for more time with the Keaton family, there are several books that capture the show's nostalgic feeling, from its snapshot of '80s culture to the wholesome family dynamics.

Though it's not set in the '80s, Kevin Wilson's 2011 novel "The Family Fang" has a similar family dynamic at the heart of its story as "Family Ties." That's because Annie and Buster Fang have quirky, unpredictable performance artists for parents. The adult children return home only to discover their parents embarking on a new creative undertaking. "So bizarre in the best way possible," wrote one Goodreads user. "'The Family Fang' pushes readers to consider disfunction in families as an art form."

Like "Family Ties," this novel plays with an inverted family dynamic by making the children responsible for their eccentric parents. Though it plays less explicitly with politics than the television series, there are echos of idealistic parents and conventional children. But, like the show, that opening concept becomes a way to explore more universal, heartfelt parts of the family experience. "'The Family Fang' seems like a story of two crazy performance artist parents who involve their children in their art. But it's so much more than that," wrote one Goodreads user. "Aside from the hilarious predicaments they get into, the themes about parents loving their children and the children's quest for freedom comes through loud and clear." If you felt seen by the role reversals in "Family Ties," or if you relate to the "eldest daughter syndrome" trend on social media, then this touching, comedic novel will feel like a breath of fresh air.

David Sedaris has written several essay collections and all of them are funny. However, of all his books, "Naked" captures the most about the writer's childhood. Both the portrait of suburban America, and of the quirky Sedaris family dynamics, make it an unexpected parallel to "Family Ties." Though Sedaris's childhood preceded the show's '80s setting by about 10 years, he captures the lawns and streets of a neighborhood in Raleigh with a nostalgic wink. In Sedaris's hands, real life takes on an improbable sitcom sheen as he turns his signature acerbic wit on his family of origin.

As with the beloved television show, surprising tenderness and relatability is just under the surface of the humor here. "Sedaris's family is quirky, sure, but it is like every family: hilarious, embarrassing and tragic," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "Sedaris's wit is sharp and dark, and I think reading about his experiences helped me recognize that I have to laugh at my own family a bit more." If you love "Family Ties" for its nostalgic portrait of suburban America, or for its truths about family bonds delivered with hearty laughs, then "Naked" will hit the spot.

Like "Family Ties," John O'Farrell sets out to skewer the cultural norm with the 2024 novel "Family Politics." While Alex P. Keaton's devotion to former president Ronald Reagan doesn't quite translate to O'Farrell's novel, which is set in the UK, the similarities between leftie parents forced to contend with an unexpectedly conservative son mines a similar vein of humor. If you've ever felt nervous to tackle the holidays when your family bitterly disagrees about politics, then this book will resonate with you.

Above all, O'Farrell's novel skewers the new, vicious tone that characterizes contemporary political dialogue. "In today's frequently toxic and polarised political environment, it doesn't hurt to be reminded that, 'There are your political beliefs, and there is how you hold them. Righteous certainty and vehement intolerance of other views are the enemy of progressive thinking,'" wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "This book has a sane, humane and sensible message — but it's also very, very funny." Beneath the biting humor, though, are more thoughtful themes about the nature of family and how our political values get encoded. Best of all, like "Family Ties," this novel uses humor to capture a generational divide. If you like a comedy that also contains a dose of cultural commentary, then O'Farrell's novel is a great pick.

The bonds across generations are the subject of this 2024 novel from Catherine Newman, in which middle-aged Rocky arrives for her family's annual gathering in Cape Cod caught in an in-between stage of life. She's menopausal. She feels disconnected from her aging parents, and flummoxed by her adolescent children. It's an unvarnished story about how we move in and out of connection with the members of our family. Like "Family Ties," there's a honesty about family that feels surprisingly wholesome, even when it isn't picture perfect — but with an East Coast summertime twist. If you happen to be obsessed with Jackie Kennedy's iconic New England outfits, then you'll appreciate the coastal aesthetic of "Sandwich."

Plus, like with "Family Ties," there's something comforting about the tone and pacing of this gentle book. "Honestly, reading this felt like being welcomed into a family and joining them for a week-long beach getaway," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "Funny, powerful, endearing, sometimes unflinchingly raw, sometimes heartbreaking — and throughout it all, absolutely charming — this book gave me all the feels." If your favorite aspect of "Family Ties" is the way it spans generations, or its general coziness, then you'll love this novel that captures people of ranging ages who come together as a family during the summer.