In this episode, the hosts take a peek at the Season 3 premiere of Euphoria and immediately clock a dramatic tonal shift. With a 4–5 year time jump pushing the characters out of high school and into early adulthood, the glossy, dreamlike aesthetic of earlier seasons gives way to something more raw, gritty, and unfiltered. The episode feels less like stylized chaos and more like a stark plunge into the “wild west” of adulthood. The conversation unpacks the show’s signature graphic intensity, questioning whether this new edge signals deeper storytelling or leans too heavily into shock value. The hosts also wrestle with how the women are portrayed in this new chapter. Are these characters being developed with more nuance, or are they still framed through a lens of fantasy and fetishization? As always, the review balances humor, honesty, and cultural critique, asking whether Euphoria is evolving with its characters… or just getting darker with age.*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni & Kat: Cheers to 50 years of love, Happy Anniverasy to the Barneses!! About the Show: Air date: April 12, 2026 on HBODirector: Sam LevinsonWriters: Sam Levinson, Ron Leshem, Daphna LevinProducers: Amy J Schmidt, Julio C. Perez IV, DrakeStars: Zendaya, Coleman Domingo, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeny *Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

This week, the hosts explore There There by Tommy Orange. The book intertwines the stories of twelve urban Native characters in Oakland, California. It’s a powerful, character-driven novel weaving together lives that at first seem separate, but gradually reveal deep and unexpected connections, all leading to a pivotal and gut wrenching event. As the narrative unfolds, the book explores the lasting impact of generational trauma, cultural erasure, and the search for connection in a modern world. Did the ladies keep every detail perfectly straight? Not quite...but did that stop them? Not even a little. The discussion, much like the book, is layered, complex, and and a lot to juggle all at once. Tune in to hear how it all comes together, Cheers!  *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! Thank you, we love you!Moni: To Druski and his response to criticism about his recent comedy sketch. 🎤Kat: To Loudmouth Books (Indianapolis) https://loudmouthindy.com and the REAL book club event I attended there, and to my daughter for making the National Honors Society.💜About the Book:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_There_(novel)About the Author: https://www.macfound.org/fellows/class-of-2025/tommy-orangePublished on June 5, 2018, by Knopf. Page Count: 290 -304 pages depending on the edition (hardcover, paperback, or Kindle). Genre: Literary Fiction, Urban Native Experience**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!

This week, the hosts dive into The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and for once, they don’t see eye to eye. In a rare twist, one host connected with the book while the other didn’t, not because of the story itself, but because of its unique vignette-style format. Even with that divide, the conversation proves why this modern classic continues to resonate, sparking thoughtful discussion around voice, identity, and storytelling. You’ll have to tune in to find out who was on which side. Cheers!! *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: Happy 90th B-day grandma Barbie. Sending love to all my family!Kat: To Victor Glover https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/victor-j-glover/To "First Contact Day" in the Star Trek  https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/First_Contact_Day, and to Dawn Staley https://www.instagram.com/dawnstaleyTitle: The House on Mango StreetAuthor: Sandra Cisneros: https://www.sandracisneros.com/mylifeandworkPublisher: Vintage Books (a division of Penguin Random House)Original Publication Year: 1984Genre: Coming-of-age / Literary fictionFormat: Series of short vignettes (not a traditional novel structure)Page Count: Typically ~110–130 pages (varies by edition)Notes:Source: The Washington Post: Israeli teens face military drafthttps://share.google/JotMjnrWf8HiLKcFqJosh Johnson's take on Manosphere:https://youtu.be/_JoshJohnsonManosphere**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!

This week the ladies didn't read a book, they read the headlines. In this perfectly timed “fake book club” episode, the hosts showed up ready to connect, laugh, and unpack what’s happening in the world. The episode leans into current events, and pop culture shaping the timeline, from global tensions and viral AI-generated propaganda circulating out of Iran and the US, to the cultural conversation sparked by Druski’s Erika Kirk parody. They also touch on the recent Verzuz matchup  between Tyrese and Tank, insights from Jay-Z’s recent interview with GQ, and much more. Just a reminder that this “book club” is really about showing up, staying curious, and having real conversations. Cheers!🥂*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To our health and to tennis legend Geal Monfils for flexin on em'. https://www.tiktok.com/@tennistv/video/Monfilshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga%C3%ABl_Monfils Kat: To my mom for being willing to kill for me💕🥰 (Hypothetically of course) and to the No Kings Protesters. https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/28/us/live-news/no-kings-protests-03-28-26Iran using AI and social media for propaganda targeting the U.S.Iran:https://www.tiktok.com/@theroguednc/video/7621280642298432799?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/iran-using-ai-information-IranWarDHS shutdown:https://apnews.com/article/senate-tsa-homeland-security-airports-trump-672467393ae043e47938874e7aaddcd6Donald Trump and norm-breaking behavior (including discussions around currency symbolism) Donald Trump Article:https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/trump-to-break-currency-tradition-with-signature/gm-GM336D592A?gemSnapshotKey=GM336D592A-snapshot-1&uxmode=rubyPerception gap: Markwayne Mullin vs. Ketanji Brown Jackson qualifications. Who is the real DEI Hire. Meritocracy vs Bias Patronage/NepotismLaGuardia-related aviation safety and pilot fatigue concernsLaGuardia Airport Article:https://www.npr.org/2026/03/24/nx-s1-5759710/laguardia-airport-plane-crash FAA overview of pilot fatigue risks  Charlie Kirk not wanting a black pilot: Black pilots aren’t the problem, broken systems are.Mike Braun pushes for TPUSA in Indiana public schools: https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/braun-pushes-for-christian-aligned-turning-point-usa-clubs-in-indiana-schoolsDruski parody of white conservative women Druski Article:https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/backwoodsaltar/druski-parody-white-conservative-womanNew Jack Harlow album “MONICA” backlash :https://www.reddit.com/r/fantanoforever/comments/1rtvssq/jack_harlow_says_he_got_blacker_when_discussing/ https://www.theroot.com/jack-harlow-said-he-got-blacker-and-the-internet-is-out-2000095274Jack Harlow guessing R&B songs: https://www.tiktok.com/@201byrd/video/Jack Harlow Big LATTO Pregnant: https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/26/latto-boyfriend-21-savage-speaks-out-about-pregnancy/Jay Z GQ Interview:https://www.gq.com/story/jay-z-cover-interview-april-2026Tank Verzuz Tyreese: https://youtu.be/VerzuzJ. Cole, Cameron interview: https://youtu.be/CYOoxs6rd6g?si=Vsn5Lb72rdotUKWkTime to challenge Argentina’s white European self-image, black history experts say | Argentina |The Guardian: https://share.google/IUVwKVuwcyaUyNaUpWhy Trump is giving Argentina a $20 billion lifeline to help its flailing economy | PBS News:https://share.google/s0qqt1adcuzSeJdB3Louis Armstrong and the spy: How the CIA used him as a ‘trojan horse’ in Congo | Louis Armstrong | The Guardian https://share.google/MTliowlJHv2B105JCPatrice Lumumba: Belgian court clears way for trial over 1961 killing of Congo PM https://share.google/LdIgMmKvrJ6vxJZBxOn The Next Episide📚: The House on Mango Street a Novel by Sandra Cisneros**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate and review the show. Thank you!

In this episode, the hosts dive into Louis Theroux's: Inside the Manosphere, Netflix documentary exploring the rise of online spaces centered around modern masculinity and “red pill” ideology. They unpack what the manosphere is, why it resonates with so many men, and how its messaging around success, relationships, and identity can be both appealing and concerning. The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as they examine the broader implications of this rhetoric,not just for men, but for women and society as a whole. Blending curiosity, critique, and real conversation, the hosts reflect on what the documentary reveals, what it leaves unanswered, and why it’s sparking so much discussion right now. Tap in and join the conversation. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni:Two of my favorite social media accounts right now: https://www.instagram.com/_paperplanet_& https://www.threads.com/@montemader .Also to China spoofing White House picture on social media: https://youtube.com/shorts/HsWYQPZvZM8?si=hh3MDtNan3EmTmJaKat: To the 2 books I read this week, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë' and Project Hail Mary:A Novel by Andy Weir. (Show off!) lol NOTES:Released date on Netflix: March 11, 2026 Creator / Host: Louis TherouxDirector: Adrian ChoaRuntime: ~90–91 minutes Rating: TV-MA Genre: DocumentaryAbout Louis Theroux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Therouxhttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/louis-theroux-inside-the-manosphere-release-date-newshttps://deadline.com/2026/03/piers-morgan-hstikkytokky-netflix-inside-manosphere-1236760114/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/louis-theroux-inside-the-manosphere**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

Awards season is in full swing and while Hollywood is busy polishing statues and rolling out the red carpet for the Oscars, over here at the Fake Ass Book Club the ladies are getting ready for something just as prestigious… or at least as entertaining. This week they are looking back at the past year and handing their own F.A.B. Awards for the best books, looks, moments, and highlights. So grab your imaginary red carpet fit and join them as they celebrate the best, the boldest, and the most unforgettable books and episodes of the year at the 4th annual FAB Awards. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To the best patrons in the world!! Thank you!Moni: To the lovers and artists out there (Side dedication to Hattie M Daniel 🙌🏽https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattie_McDaniel) Kat : To Martha Root The Pink Park Ranger Takedown: CCC vs White Supremacy - Federal Foreign Officehttps://share.google/ntpAqSGxh9sLfxpa6Eva Ramón Gallegos Achieves Breakthrough in HPV Eradication Using Photodynamic Therapy — Advocacy for Endometriosis Excision Surgery: https://share.google/7jDOhbntPQ3Fp46doTop 7 Benefits of Orgasms for Your Health and Well-Being; https://share.google/U6VdYHqhTTC997wj4Notes:Moni’s 2025 FAB Award Picks📚Favorite Book Non-Fiction Episode 210 Matriarch: A Memoir by Tina Knowles 📚Favorite Book Fiction: Episode 238 The Yellow Wife by Sedequa Johnson 📖Least Favorite Book: Episode 206 Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edwards Durham💃Favorite Look:  Episode 234 Witch Way to Redemption: Halloween Episdoe 💕Favorite guest: Episode 225 Kaila Yu Fetishized 🐎Dark Horse Award:  Episode 204 Pixar's Win or Lose 👯FAB Friend of the Year: Our Patrons Thank you!!Kat’s 2024 FAB Award Picks📚Favorite Non-fictionBook📚Favorite Fiction Book📖Least Favorite Book: Episode 206 Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edwards Durham💃Favorite Look: Episode 234 Witch Way to Redemption: Halloween Episdoe, Favorite guest: Episode 197. Dapper Dan, Made in Harlem: A Memoir featuring Coyan Ford, Dark Horse Award: Episode 222 KPOP Demon Hunters 👯FAB Friend of the Year: Emily from the Reel Poppycock crew.Thank you!💕  TIny Desk Buddy Guy/Miles Canton: https://youtu.be/BuddyGuy&**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

 In this episode titled March Fakeness, the hosts switch things up with one of their signature Fake A$$ episodes. With no book on the agenda this week, they dive into a mix of the headlines, pop culture conversations, and internet moments that have been making noise lately. From current events to the latest cultural chatter, the hosts share their reactions, questions, and hot takes on what’s been showing up in their feeds. After sorting through the week’s mess, they wrap things up with a palate cleanser, talking about what they’ve been watching lately and what’s worth adding to your own queue. It’s a relaxed, wide-ranging conversation filled with curiosity, commentary, and the kind of tangents that make a Fake Ass episode a fan favorite. Cheers!!!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication:To our patrons thank you we love you!Moni:Shout out to Brotha2daknight also to Roderick! And to.... family!Kat:The Reel Poppycock podcast…and to @freerod05 for leaving a nice comment on YouTube.NOTES:Kristi Noem Fired: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5667546/kristi-noem-homeland-security-fired Her replacement:  Mark Wayen Mullen from Oklahoma  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/05/who-is-markwayne-mullin-dhs-noem/89002885007/Iran Wa https://www.npr.org/2026/03/06/nx-s1-5737627/iran-us-military-poll-trump-approvalhttps://www.npr.org/2026/03/07/nx-s1-5734381/white-house-messaging-iran-us-israel-warMandani “soft on crime?”https://veraaction.org/resource/five-takeaways-on-crime-in-the-new-york-city-mayoral-primary-making-meaning-of-the-election-results/AES privatized in Indiana: https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/state-treasurer-indiana-aes-blackrock-deal-electric-utilitiesA nearly $800 AES bill on their deceased fathers vacant home:https://fox59.com/news/indianapolis-family-frustrated-by-700-aes-bills-for-vacant-home/TI vs 50 Explained https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/980748-50-cent-t-i-beef-explained-hip-hop-news#google_vignette https://youtube.com/shorts/ddkkty9uOLc?si=r5G_agw8u7V-546h Domani Harris Diss Track: Ms.Jackson :https://youtu.be/dzMrgneToTo?si=_Kp3RN02YAFJjcv5King Harris Dis Track: https://youtu.be/xwzPfqehQBs?si=J7mV_2YX-5aePVcSThe N word heard around the world: The BAFTAs: The British Academy Film Awards is an annual film award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to honor the best British and international film contributions.https://deadline.com/2026/03/warner-bros-fury-bbc-bafta-debacle-tense-meeting-1236744940/https://www.npr.org/2026/02/23/nx-s1-5724001/baftas-tourettes#:~:text=The%20statement%20identified%20Davidson%20as,including%20swear%20words%20and%20slurs.**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!

This week, the hosts review Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, a sweeping multi-generational novel that traces the descendants of two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana into the modern era. One sister, Effia, lives above the dungeon of Cape Coast Castle; the other, Esi, is imprisoned below and sold into American slavery. From that pivotal separation, the book follows their children and grandchildren across centuries, continents, and systems of power. Through alternating chapters, Gyasi explores the legacy of slavery, colonialism, identity, belonging, resilience, and generational trauma. Each descendant wrestles with the inherited shadows of the past, from plantations and Jim Crow to migration, incarceration, and cultural disconnection. The hosts unpack the book’s structure, thematic depth, and emotional resonance, reflecting on how history lives in individual lives long after its origins. It’s a layered, compassionate conversation that centers legacy, memory, and the ways personal story intertwines with collective history. Cheers!Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you! Moni & Kat: To the ancestors, old and new!About the  Book: :https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533857/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/Title: Homegoing Author: Yaa Gyasi Genre: Historical Fiction Published: 2016 (Moni states 2026 in error) Pages: 320 (first edition)About the Author:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_GyasiYaa Gyasi is a Ghanaian-American novelist. Her work, most notably her 2016 debut novel Homegoing and her 2020 novel Transcendent Kingdom, features themes of lineage, generational trauma, and Black and African identities.WikipediaBorn: 1989 (age 37 years), Mampong, GhanaParents: Kwaku Gyasi, Sophia GyasiEducation: Stanford University, Grissom High School, University of IowaAwards: PEN/Hemingway Award, Audie Award for Literary Fiction & Classics, American Book AwardF.A.B. Episodes mentioned on the show:https://www.spreaker.com/episode/GreatGatsbyEpisodehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/-review-of-ketera-of-punishment-island-on-netflix--56231879**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

This week, the hosts revisit the cultural chaos of early 2000s reality television through the lens of the documentary Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model  on Netflix. What a time to be alive! From the era that brought viewers Flavor of Love, I Love New York, Jersey Shore, The Real World, and Paris Hilton’s reality TV dominance, the conversation explores how shock value, humiliation, and boundary-pushing became entertainment staples. At the center of the discussion is Tyra Banks’ assertion that she was simply producing the content audiences wanted more of. The hosts critically examine that defense, questioning whether demand absolves creators of accountability. They unpack how reality television shaped beauty standards, normalized problematic behavior, and blurred the line between competition and exploitation. From controversial challenges to moments that feel deeply uncomfortable in hindsight, the episode explores what responsibility producers hold when entertainment has real-world impact.*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To positive personal growth and evoulution, Forgotten dedication: RIP Jesse JacksonKat: Dr Steven Hassan https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-modelRelease Date: The 3 part series premiered on Netflix on February 16, 2026.https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/reality-check-inside-americas-next-top-model-release-date-newsAbout the creators of the Doc: The series was directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan (also co-executive producers). Executive producers are Ryan Miller, Jason Beekman, Vanessa Golembewski, Jon Adler, Amanda Spain, Ian Orefice, and Jonna McLaughlin. **Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

Welcome back! With Valentine’s Day serving as the perfect backdrop for the conversation, the ladies review Relationship Goals, the Prime Video film inspired by the bestselling book by Pastor Michael Todd. They examine the movie’s portrayal of love, faith, and personal transformation, breaking down what resonated and what felt oversimplified.The discussion expands beyond the film into a broader exploration of purity culture, prosperity-based messaging, and how spiritual teachings can shape expectations around dating and marriage. From performative preaching styles to the idea of faith as a formula for relational success, the hosts thoughtfully unpack how influence, charisma, and theology intersect with real-life relationship work. The convo is full of strong feelings and opinions, so grab an even stronger drink and join the fun. Cheers!🚨SPOILER ALART🚨  This episode contains spoilers!! Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: Indoor Plumbing and clean running water!! Kat: To her daughter for maintaining a standard of excellence over time, and for participating in the school walk out as a leader. Notes:Produced by DeVon Franklin and executive produced by Kelly Rowland, Bart Lipton, and pastor Michael Todd Director: Linda Mendoza Writers: Pastor Michael Todd, Michael Elliot, Cory Tynan Stars: Kelly Rowland, Method Man, Robin ThedeAbout Michael Todd/Transformation Church: https://transformchurch.us/aboutus-old/Michael Todd Antics:Syrup on the BibleMichael Todd rubs spit in mans face during church service: https://youtu.be/MichaelToddspits**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

This week, in honor of Black History Month, the ladies review Percival Everett’s powerful and provocative novel The Trees. They begin with the book’s gripping premise: when detectives from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation arrive in Money, Mississippi to investigate a series of brutal murders, they discover something unsettling at each crime scene, a second body resembling Emmett Till. Met with resistance from local law enforcement and racist townsfolk, the detectives begin to suspect these killings are acts of retribution. As eerily similar murders begin unfolding across the country, it becomes clear that the past refuses to stay buried and that something larger is underway.In this bold and biting page turner, Everett confronts the legacy of lynching, white supremacy, and racial violence in America with sharp satire and unflinching honesty. The hosts unpack the novel’s layered storytelling, dark humor, historical weight, and cultural commentary, discussing how it challenges readers while refusing comfort. It is a thought provoking conversation about memory, justice, and what it means when history demands to be reckoned with. Cheeers!SPOILERS & Trigger Warning: This book discusses the use of racial slurs, racial violence, racial hatred, lynchings, and other forms of racist behavior. Depictions of violence in this novel are graphic. *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To Carter G Woodson the father of Black History Month, to all the victims of racial violence in America and around the world past and present, to my mother in law, get well soon & I love you!Kat: To the man who found and returned my wallet in Kroger, thank you. To the series Wonder Man.About the book:https://www.npr.org/2021/09/22/1039434714/percival-everett-the-trees-reviewThe Trees was published by Graywolf Press in 2021. The Trees was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2022. Pages: Approximately 288–320/8 hours Author:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/31723. Percival Everett is the author of 22 novels. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and is a Guggenheim Fellow (2015).NPR Book Review:https://www.npr.org/2021/09/22/1039434714/percival-everett-the-trees-reviewMoni learned a new word: Nescience: lack of knowledge or ignorance (nesh-ence)Other topics on the show:Monkey Obama Meme/Trump https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-shares-racist-video-depicting-obamas-monkeys-rcna257756Surrage mix up: https://people.com/couple-sues-fertility-clinic-after-welcoming-baby-girl-not-biologically-related-to-them-11895783Epstein Files: No blacks allowed  https://www.ms.now/news/epstein-emailed-with-silicon-valley-elites-about-racist-eugenicist-ideas**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

This week, the hosts dive into His & Hers, the Netflix series adapted from the popular novel. They break down the twists, turns, and tangled relationships at the center of this messy murder mystery while raising a few questions about the plot along the way. From unreliable narrators to layered motives, the conversation balances critique with curiosity as the ladies unpack what worked, what confused them, and why the story was still fun to dissect. It is a lively, thoughtful discussion that leans into the chaos and keeps things entertaining from start to finish. Cheers!*🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you.Moni: To all the workers making their way out in the winter stormKat:Ujamaa Books store https://bookshop.org/shop/ujamaa  trauma informed arts session, & Impact Arts with a Purpose.About the series: His & Hers is an American mystery thriller limited series starring Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Rebecca Rittenhouse, and Sunita Mani. It is an adaptation of the 2020 Alice Feeney novel of the same name, and premiered on Netflix on January 8, 2026https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_%26_Hers_(2026_TV_series)His & Hers (2026) is written and executive produced by William Oldroyd (also director/showrunner), Dee Johnson (co-showrunner), and Bill Dubuque. Based on Alice Feeney's Produced by Fifth Season, with Tessa Thompson (also starring), Jessica Chastain, Kristen Campo, Kelly Carmichael, and Kishori Rajan as executive producers.Notes:https://mashable.com/article/his-and-hers-ending-explainedhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt33382217/? His and Hers IMBDMelinda Gates supports HBCUs:HBCUsGates Foundationhttps://www.gatesfoundation.org › ideas › articles › edu...Some current events discussed:Sha’Carri Richardson speeding 100mph https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/olympian-shacarri-richardson-arrested-charge-speeding-100-mph-florida-rcna256603Waymo hits a child near a school in Santa Monica Grant Elementary (kid is ok)Waymo under scrutiny after hitting child near Santa Monica ...Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com › business › story › waymo-un...Nikki Manaj is Trumps biggest fan: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp87l604nx8oBilly Porter on Nikki Manaj https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThybCHAs/Joy Reid READS Nikki Manaj: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Joy Reads NikkiDon Lemon arrested while reporting from a church in Minneapolis https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24gm3dz36pohttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/16/keith-porter-jr-ice-killingICE Keith Porter murder:  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/16/keith-porter-jr-ice-killingThe kids who lead the resistace against the nazisArticle making a case for UBIhttps://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5713876-ai-displacement-and-ubi/**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

In this episode, the hosts start with HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, sharing their early thoughts on the series before branching out into other shows currently on their radar, including Industry, Bridgerton Season 3, Beauty, and Landman.The conversation then circles back to last week’s read, Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn. Kat reflects on how deeply she connected with Davie, the neurodivergent ten-year-old whose intense fixations felt familiar, sparking a thoughtful discussion about why certain topics, especially slavery, can become fixation-worthy. Along the way, the hosts laugh at their differing lingering fixations from the previous episode, including a humorous contrast between Davie’s admiration for Steve Jobs and Moni's ongoing obsession with his notoriously unhygienic reputation.Tap in and hang with the hosts for a fun FAB listen. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!About the shows:A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Knight_of_the_Seven_Kingdoms_(TV_series)Bridgerton:https://www.shondaland.com/shondaland-series/bridgerton/bridgerton-recap-seasonBeautyhttps://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-beautyIndustry:https://www.imdb.com/title/IndustryLandman: https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/landman/*Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!

In this episode, the hosts kick things off by unpacking the viral Druski mega-church skit, debating whether the satire crosses the line or simply holds up an uncomfortable mirror. Then, the hosts dive into this weeks book, Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn by Renéé Swindle. This is a novel about grief, longing, and the chaos that follows when good intentions collide with poor boundaries. The ladies walk through the story of Francine Stevenson, unpacking her relationships, her unraveling sense of self, and the complicated choices that turn connection into consequence.The discussion includes how grief can blur judgment, how desire can masquerade as healing, and how self-deception often feels like survival. Along the way, they talk about healing through connection, emotional avoidance, abuse, and what accountability looks like when harm isn’t intentional but still very real. Grounded in humor and honesty, this episode reflects Fake Ass Book Club at its core: thoughtful conversation, real reactions, and space to hold empathy and critique at the same time. Cheers*🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you, and thank you!Moni: To doing the things you love and the things that make life good! aka the Druski skit!!!Kat:The the HBO show Industry and to quality TV. Also, to all my cousins,and Claudette Colvin R.I.P.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudette_ColvinDrunk History Claudette Colvin: https://youtu.be/Tov2tLSFq5k?si=4R2YBV6y179ExY8yAbout the Book:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216522693-francine-s-spectacular-crash-and-burnAbout theAuthor: Renee' Swindle https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/276659.Renee_SwindleInstagram: @reneewritesnovelsFacebook: www.facebook.com/reneeswindlebooksPre-order Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn: https://bit.ly/FrancinesCrashandBurn320 pages, Paperback PublishedApril 15, 2025 by Tiny Reparations Books Audio Book: 11 hoursNotes:Trauma Bonding: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traumatic_bondingStinky Steve Jobs:https://finance.yahoo.com/news/steve-jobs-didnt-think-needed-171754585.htmlDruski Skit: https://youtube.com/shorts/DruskiMegaChurchWinans Church: https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/1obo8s6/bishop_marvin_winans_goes_viral_after_criticizing/Marvin Sapp viral moment "Ushers, close the doors": https://youtu.MarvinSappClosetheDoorsLady asked 40 churches to help with baby food "We Can't Help You" https://youtu.be/JwWu7-M1Uq0,**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

This week, burnout is the starting point and everything else flows from there. The hosts unpack the exhaustion that comes from juggling work, life, and the constant pressure to stay functional in a world that rarely slows down. What begins as a conversation about overwork quickly expands into a broader discussion about labor, fairness, and preserving one’s peace. Inspired by a Reddit post about a Dutch employee pushing back against an American boss’s expectation to work nights and weekends, the ladies dive into a series of AITA: Work Edition scenarios. They weigh in on office culture, workplace boundaries, and the often-overlooked labor happening at home, questioning whose contributions are valued, whose are dismissed, and why. The conversation takes a detour into gender dynamics, emotional labor, and long-term relationships, including a reflection on whether people sometimes stay with abusive partners in the hope that time, aging, or change will soften them. Referencing Viola Davis’s Finding Me, the hosts explore the complicated idea of retribution, repair, and what accountability looks like when harm has already been done. Messy, honest, and reflective, this episode uses humor, judgment, and collective side-eye as tools for survival..because sometimes the best way to stay sane is to laugh, decompress, and judge strangers together. Cheers!! *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni:Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother and U.S. citizen recently murdered by ICE. .https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/renee-nicole-good-minneapolis-ice-shooting-victim-caring-neighbor-rcna252901 and Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras. shot in Portland: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/shootings-in-minLuis%20David%20Nino-Moncada%20and%20Yorlenys%20Betzabeth%20Zambrano-Contreras.%20%20neapolis-and-portland-spur-protests-over-federal-enforcement-operations-after and the Dutch Worker who read his American Boss for pushing grind culture.Kat:Stranger Comics: Black comic book maker https://www.strangercomics.com**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

This week’s episode takes a different shape. Due to scheduling conflicts and real-life responsibilities, the hosts dip into archived Patreon clips to create an unconventional, raw, and unfiltered listen. The result is a collage-style episode that feels less like a traditional show and more like a peek behind the curtain. Pulled from conversations before recording, the ladies share side commentary, candid reflections, and off-mic moments that listeners don’t usually hear. The episode may be all over the place, but in a way that mirrors real life, creative process, and the kind of conversations that happen when the pressure is off. Messy, honest, and deeply human, this episode offers the crew’s community a glimpse into how the show sounds when it’s just them...no agenda, no polish, just real talk. Cheers.*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: Happy Birthday to my big brother, Marcel!Kat: Who knows, probably Star Trek! (hehe)**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!

Happy New Year!

On this Christmas Eve episode, the hosts dive into Lady Sings the Blues (1972), the biographical drama inspired by the life of jazz icon Billie Holiday and starring Diana Ross in her film debut. The ladies discuss the film’s portrayal of artistry, trauma, addiction, love, and the ways both the music industry and the justice system shaped her life. The movie reminded the ladies that music makes us feel something, and our hosts gave a glimpse into their holiday feels with their own Top 10 facorite Christmas song "soundtrack". The contrast between their lists adds humor, personality, and a lot of holiday fun to the conversation. Cheers! *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only.Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To the hustlers.Kat: Lady Sings the Blues (1972) was directed by Sidney J. Furie.The screenplay was written by Terence McCloy and Chris Clark, and the film is loosely based on Billie Holiday’s autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues, written with William Dufty.Berry Gordy was a producer through Motown Productions Diana Ross,, portrays Holiday, alongside a cast that includes Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan and Scatman Crothers.[5] The film was nominated for five Academy Awards in 1973, including Best Actress for Diana RossOfficial Billie Holiday Website biohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Sings_the_Blues_(film)https://billieholiday.com/bio/**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!

In this episode, our hosts dive into R.F. Kuang’s explosive novel Yellowface, a messy, chaotic, and painfully accurate takedown of the publishing world. The ladies unpack June Hayward’s wild decision to steal a dead woman’s manuscript, the delusion that carries her into literary fame, and the way the industry protects, rewards, and excuses certain voices over others.They break down the book’s themes of cultural appropriation, white feminism, internet backlash, and how far people will go to be seen as “the good one” while doing the absolute most.  It’s sharp, it’s unhinged, and it had the ladies yelling at the pages. So pull up, grab your beverage, and get into this conversation. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To Jewel Ham, a multidisciplinary visual artist, curator, educator and former Spotify design intern, widely credited with creating the interactive, shareable story format for Spotify Wrapped in 2019, turning a simple link into a viral cultural moment. (Even though Spotify does not give her credit!) Jewel Ham - Artist Biography - Anthony Gallerythe spotify intern who created wrappedKat: To the Somalian community for hilariously defending themselves againsts Trump and his vile attacks against thier community. https://www.google.com/TrumpAttacksSomalishttps://www.instagram.com/SomalisClapBackatTrumpAbout the Book: 319 pages, Paperback, First published May 16, 2023, Audiobook, about 9 hours About the Author: R.F. Kuang https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/About R_F_Kuang**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! 

Welcome back! In this episode, our hosts dive deep into Netflix’s explosive new docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning, executive-produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and award winning director Alexandria Stapleton. The ladies break down the four-part series, unpack the allegations, explore the fallout, and ask the big question: is this accountability… or a high-budget revenge project? They’ll walk you through the doc’s most shocking moments, the legal issues, the cultural commentary, and the origin of the beef between Diddy and 50. They also examine how power, celebrity worship, and industry complicity created the perfect storm around Sean Combs, and why this show has everyone talking.*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you and thank you!Moni: To my homegirl Dee, owner of 55 Rose Street https://www.55rosestreet.com and to putting pettiness to good use!Kat: To the 3 Austrian nuns, Sister Rita, Burnadette, and Regina. Click the article below to read about their story! https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/3NunsEscapeNursingHomeAbout the creators:Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1265067/bio/, and grammy award winning director Alexandria Stapleton (http://www.alexstapleton.com/about-1Info about the series:https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/sean-combs-the-reckoning-diddy-documentary-release-date-news**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!