The Fake Ass Book Club Moni & Kat review: "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Apr 30, 2025
53:17
Welcome back! This week the ladies explore "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray—a stunning historical fiction novel based on the real life of Belle da Costa Greene, a Black woman who passed as white to rise through the ranks of elite society in the early 1900s. Handpicked by J.P. Morgan himself, Belle becomes the personal librarian to one of the most powerful men in the world and curates a collection that would define literary prestige. But, behind her poise and power, lies a daily negotiation of identity and survival. The hosts explore Belle’s dual existence, the cost of racial passing, and the brilliance she brought to a world that would’ve rejected her if they’d known her truth. Join them as they unpack the legacy of a woman who had to erase herself to leave her mark. 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 and thank you!
Moni: To ladies of the CockTales Podcast, specifically KiKi for inspiring this weeks book topic.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/CockTales
Kat: To Arthentic Arts and the wonderful mural project. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3swsJx52R/?igsh=cGZkbjk3c3kxdXhiArt Effect
About the life and work Belle da Costa Greene aka Belle Marion Greener https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene
Belle da Costa Greene (Belle Marion Greener) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_da_Costa_Greene
https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/02/belle-de-costa-greene/
About the authors:
Victoria Christopher Murray
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56575.Victoria_Christopher_Murray
Marie Benedict
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14815127.Marie_Benedict
*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!
*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 ladies of the CockTales Podcast, specifically KiKi for inspiring this weeks book topic.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/CockTales
Kat: To Arthentic Arts and the wonderful mural project. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3swsJx52R/?igsh=cGZkbjk3c3kxdXhiArt Effect
About the life and work Belle da Costa Greene aka Belle Marion Greener https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene
Belle da Costa Greene (Belle Marion Greener) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_da_Costa_Greene
https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/02/belle-de-costa-greene/
About the authors:
Victoria Christopher Murray
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56575.Victoria_Christopher_Murray
Marie Benedict
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14815127.Marie_Benedict
*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!