The top 100 books of the 21st Century! Wait, is that clickbait, New York Times? Why yes, yes it is, and we clicked on it. You say the words "100" and "century" and then we click and see it's all recent books and then realize - HOLD UP! They meant the BEST books since the ye old year of 2001?
Oh.
That's a bit anti-climactic.
But we're here for it. And we share what books from this list stayed with us long after we closed the back cover (or hit stop on the audiobook). Plus Rachel throws in a book that's not on the list. You know why? Because she can!
Are you one of the million fans of Elena Ferrante? Then go get Lies and Sorcery by Elsa Morante translated by Jenny McPhee.

New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century
New York Times Readers Best Books of the 21st Century

Some of the books mentioned are:
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

Scott Moore has followed his curiosity and passion. From making a bold call to land an internship at MTV, to producing influential music documentaries at VH1, to an amazing career as a musician, Scott's journey is a magical mystery ride. His honest discussion about his family's history is heartwarming and inspiring.

Join us to discover Scott's story and the depth and beauty of his life's journey in Jersey and that little city right near us (NYC).

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

What if a simple clerical error could alter the course of your entire career? Listen to Natasha Mathias as she recounts her serendipitous journey from pediatric dentistry and fashion design. Natasha's story takes us from India, where she was mistakenly placed into dental school, to the United States, where she discovered her passion for pediatric dentistry at Rutgers. After years of running Sparkles Dentistry and making a real difference in children's lives, Natasha transitioned into the glamorous world of fashion, even designing gowns for the Tony Awards. Her path is a powerful example of embracing the unknown journey of fate.

Join us for a story that's as inspiring as it is insightful, filled with practical advice and heartwarming anecdotes.

Guest Shoutouts:
Jonathan's Ballons at the Light Closet

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

Step back in time with us as we uncover the fascinating history of Montclair, New Jersey, through the expertise of Angelica Diggs, the executive director of the Montclair History Center. Our engaging conversation with Angelica unravels the township's journey from its early colonial days to its present-day diversity. You'll be captivated by tales of local landmarks, including the cemeteries on Church Street and the unique distinctions between Upper and Lower Montclair. Discover how the town’s early settlers and subsequent waves of migration have woven a rich and diverse cultural tapestry.

Explore the dramatic and often poignant moments that have shaped Montclair, including the chilling tales of untimely deaths at the Park Street home, and the resilient stories of African American families during the Great Migration. Angelica also shares the intriguing histories of key figures like Israel Crane and James Howe, whose contributions left lasting imprints on the community. We delve into the architectural landmarks that give Montclair its distinctive character and trace the roots of Upper Montclair's two zip codes to its early colonial origins.

Our discussion wouldn't be complete without addressing Montclair's more challenging past, such as the impact of 1930s redlining practices and the town’s ongoing fight against segregation through its magnet school system. Angelica highlights the vital preservation efforts undertaken by the Friends of the Howe House and other local historical organizations to ensure the stories of Montclair's past are remembered and celebrated. Join us for a thought-provoking journey through history with someone who brings passion and profound insight into every story. Don’t forget to follow the Montclair History Center’s YouTube channel for even more historical gems!

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

We both agree Robert Downy Jr. jumped the shark in The Sympathizer. Learn why in this month's edition of what to watch and read.

TV Show and Movie Reviews

• The Sympathizer loved the book but had mixed feelings about the show, particularly Robert Downey Jr. playing multiple roles.
• Unfrosted Think Spaceballs so bad it's good. A light-hearted, self-aware movie about Pop-Tarts, recommended for a fun family watch.
• Hitman An enjoyable, light watch directed by Richard Linklater.
• Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial Highly recommend. A very compelling documentary on Netflix about the Nuremberg trials, using historical footage and reenactments.
• Billy and Molly Loved it. A heartwarming National Geographic documentary about a homeless otter in Scotland.
• Hacks (Season 3) Starts slow but the new season continues to deliver.
• Ren Faire A new HBO show about a Renaissance festival in Texas, described as "nuts" and compared to Succession. Has more Twitter(X) hype than it deserves.

Book Recommendations

• Funny Stories by Emily Henry - A light, entertaining rom-com about a woman whose perfect boyfriend leaves her before their wedding.
• A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages by Anthony Bale - An engaging listen about medieval travel, covering various regions like India, Persia, and Constantinople.
• Empireworld by Sathnam Sanghera - A fascinating but downbeat book about the British Empire, narrated by someone with an upper-crust British accent.
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Historical fiction based on the diaries of a real midwife, Martha Ballard, set in 1789 Maine. The story involves a murder investigation and a rape trial.

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

Join us today for quizzes and laughs. We took the New York Times, "Butterfly or Firefly: What's Your Friendship Style?" quiz and live to tell about it. We also took a look at the comments section and were shocked at the intensity of the feedback!

Why do humans love taking tests to tell them about themselves? Partly because......it's fun!

Our conversation also gets serious for a bit when we turn to the impact of social media on emotional intelligence, the evolving social interactions of younger generations, and the importance of critical thinking in a world dominated by loud voices.

We encourage our listeners to take some quizzes adding a touch of non-toxic Cosmo-style fun to their lives.

QUIZZES
What type of best friend are you?
Brooklyn 99 Personality Quiz
Emotional Intelligence Quiz
How Strong are Your Relationships?
What Color Represents Your Personality?

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Yana Collins Lehman, the CEO of Trevanna Post, a film post-production company based in New York City. Yana shared her fascinating journey from growing up in a small forest in Northern California to becoming a significant figure in the post-production industry.

We delved into the intricacies of post-production work, including the importance of tax credits, the role of post-production advisors and accountants, and the challenges of managing budgets for films. Yana also highlighted the significance of the New York and New Jersey tax credits in attracting film productions to these states.

Yana discussed her involvement with Montclair Film, where she serves on the board and chairs the education committee. She hinted at some exciting plans for the film festival in October.

On a personal note, Yana revealed her passion for triathlons and her experiences participating in events like the Ironman Lake Placid and the Escape from Alcatraz.

We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Yana and learned so much about the post-production industry and her inspiring journey. So press play and enjoy!

Shout Outs
Café Giotto
Mercado
Fleet Feet

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

Meet the multi-talented Elinor Blake, also known as April March, in this episode of Lost in Jersey. She shares her journey from being an animator on iconic shows like Pee Wee's Playhouse and The Ren & Stimpy Show to becoming a successful musician known for her French-inspired music. She discusses her creative process, collaborations with directors like Quentin Tarantino and Alexander Payne, and her upcoming projects, including a new album and a potential movie soundtrack. Elinor's passion for art, music, and storytelling shines through as she shares her experiences and inspirations.

Listen to April March on Spotify
Check out her website
Follow her on Instagram

Follow us: Website | Apple | Spotify | Audible | Youtube | Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok