Menace II Book Society
by Menace II Book Society
In 2021, JaLessa Shantel had been trying to convince Charisse to try audiobooks. She finally wore her down and now they buddy listen/read a wide range of books, mostly YA mystery/thriller and romance with a sprinkle of grown folk business. Join these friends bi-weekly as they discuss their recent reads, the books they read separately, and whatever else is on their minds. Please send any book recommendations and listener stories/questions to [email protected].*DISCLAIMER*This is an explicit podcast.We are not literary experts & we talk a lot of shit.
Episodes
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Grown
Charisse and JaLessa review Grown x Tiffany D. Jackson. The Next Book: Take What You Can x Naima Coster If you have any questions or book recommendations, feel free to email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @menace2booksociety
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Let's Catch Up
Charisse and JaLessa catch up
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Pen Names
The Next Book: No Reservations x Sheryl Lister If you have any questions or book recommendations, feel free to email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @menace2booksociety
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I Am the Community
JaLessa and Charisse talk about the Maternal Instincts documentary and review Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood. Books Mentioned: The Summer Girlfriend x Kristina Forest Finding Me x Viola Davis Solid x B. Love Kept Close x Jaimsss P. Quasim III x Jahquel J. Sweet Heat x Bolu Babalola...
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Off Topic
Books Mentioned: Quasim Series III x Jahquel J. Waiting to Exhale x Terry McMillan Disappearing Act x Terry McMillan The Skin I’m In x Sharon G. Flake When she’s Not There x Zee Renee Mine x B. Love Behind Closed Doors x B. A. Paris Baker Street Series x Valerie Burns Two Parts Sugar, One Part...
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The Seasoning is Off
This week, the menaces discuss rereading and annotating books, and Ja Lessa tells Charisse all about In the Grey x B.B. Reid. The Next Book: You'd Look Better as a Ghost x Joanna Wallace If you have any questions or book recommendations, feel free to email us at [email protected]…
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Group Project Foes and Review of Dominion
This week, the menaces talk about documentaries, group project foes, surgery woes, and review Dominion x Addie E. Citchens Books Mentioned: I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend x Jessica Cage I Accidentally Hooked Up With a Vampire x Jessica Cage I accidentally Hired a Shadow Hunter x…
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Reel Got Real
This week, the menaces talk about their hobbies, book clubs, health, and review Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman. Books Mentioned: Reel x Kennedy Ryan My Darkest Prayer x S. A. Cosby Riches and Rotten x Jahquel J. (Obvious series coming. And she need to hurry it up!!) Divorce Party x...
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Gonorrhea Computer and a Review of Girls Who Play Dead
Charisse and Ja Lessa review Girls Who Play Dead Books Mentioned: The Collective Series: Book 2 & 3 x K. C. Mills Dawning and Resurgence Emergence and Ascendence House of Eve x Sadeqa Johnson Dali: The Demolisher x B. Love MPWG Lawfirm Book 2 x B. Love Inadmissible FBW BOOK 2 x Alexandra Warren...
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Didn't Chuckle Not Once and a Review of Cursed Daughters
This week, Charisse and Ja Lessa talk about life, books, and review Cursed Daughters x Oyinkan Braithwaite Books Mentioned: I, Medusa X Ayana Gray The Collective Series: Book 1- Shadows and Whispers x K. C. Mills The Seven Daughters of Dupree x Nikesha Elise Williams Burn Down Master’s House x…
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Bingo! We're Back!
Charisse and Ja Lessa return after a break and talk about what they have been reading and play bingo. Next book: Cursed Daughters x Oyinkan Braithwaite
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Call Drop and a Review of Five Survive x Holly Jackson
Charisse and Ja Lessa play a game and review Five Survive x Holly Jackson, in their last episode of 2024. Books Mentioned: Plus Size Player X Danielle Allen Capri 2.5 X Jahquel J Rhythm Blues X Kimberly Brown Love Scammed X Rilzy Adams Sounds Like a Plan X Pamela Samuels Young &Dwayne Alexander...
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Is It Horror? and a Review of Honeysuckle and Bone x Trishia Tobias
Charisse and Ja Lessa Shantel discuss books, if constantly calling out your haters is necessary, and review Honeysuckle and Bone x Trisha Tobias. Books Mentioned: The Maidens X Alex Michaelides Roses & Thornes Series X Christina C. Jones The Reinvention of the Rose The Rose That Got Away The...
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First Family x Granger
Charisse and Ja Lessa Shantel review First Family x Granger
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My Brain is F*cking Full and a Review of Guilt and Ginataan
The menaces are back with a review of Guilt and Ginataan x Mia P. Mansala. Books Mentioned: House On Mango Street Capri 1.5 X Jahquel J. The Friendship Contract X Mia Heintzelmam The Prisoner X B. A. Paris Holding X Alexandria House Assist X Alexandria House Capri 2 X Jahquel J. Sugar Baby X B....
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We Love a Cozy Mystery and a Review of Savvy Summers and the Potato Crimes
M2BS Episode description: Books Mentioned: Crossroads: A Small Town Sapphic Romance x Karmen Lee Bones at the Crossroads x LaDarrion Williams A Witch’s Guide To Magical Innkeeping x Sangu Mandanna Capri 1 & 1.5 x Jahquel J. Never Saw Me Coming x Vera Kurian Birth of a Dynasty x Chinaza Bado…
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Review of Cappadona 3
Next Book: Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes x Sandra Jackson-Opuko If you have any questions or book recommendations, feel free to email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @menace2booksociety
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We Have a Guest and Talk About Cappadona x Jahquel J.
This week, we have a special guest! Lisa joins Ja Lessa and Charisse in their shenanigans. Books Mentioned: Books Bones at the Crossroads X LaDarrion Williams House of Monsterous Women X Daphne Fama Cappadonna I and II X Jahquel J. The Wilderness Angela Flourenoy Blood Moon X Britney S. Lewis The...
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Business Deals and a Review of Rare Danger by Beverly Jenkins
In this week's episode, Charisse and Ja Lessa talk about traveling, wedding/party dress codes, and review Rare Danger by Beverly Jenkins.
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What in the Sci-fi Soap Opera and a Review of Audre and Bash are Just Friends x Tia Williams
Books Mentioned: Jasiel, The King Who Got Me x Miss Jenesequa Jaxson, The King Who Got Me x Miss Jenesequa Aisha and Gage: Wedding Special x Tay Mo’Nae Mimi Lee Cracks the Code x Jennifer J. Chow How to Love a Jamaican x Alexis Arthurs The Ghost of Gwendoly Montgomery x Clarence A. Haynes Chain...
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That's a Hard Question and a Review of Can't Get Enough
In this week's episode, Charisse talks about K-Dramas. They discuss the books they are and aren't reading, JaLessa asks a hard question, and they discuss "Can't Get Enough" by Kennedy Ryan. Books Mentioned: Capone (1-3) x Jahquel J. From Come Over To Come Home X Jahquel J. He’s My Next Mistake x...
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The Music is Back and a Review of Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)
In today's episode, Charisse asks JaLessa a tough book question, they play some bookish games, and review Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) x Jesse Q. Sutanto. Books Mentioned: How About Forever X Rilzy Adams Capone x Jahquel J. I Got You X Miss Jenesequa Aisha and Gage:Wedding…
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Oh, Narrators
Charisse saw Kendrick Lamar, the menaces talk about Sinners, and review The Art of Scandal x Regina Black Books Mentioned: Ante Upx Christina C. Jones King of Hearts x Christina C. Jones Dueces Wild x Christina C. Jones Friction x Christina C. Jones How About Forever x Rilzy Adams Dial A For...
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When the Recording Stops
The menaces review The Wife Before x Shanora Williams. Books Mentioned: Love You a Little Bit x Kasha Thompson Legendborn x Tracy Deonn Ante Up x Christina C. Jones Plus Size Player x Danielle Allen When We Go Missing x April Henry Somadina x Akwaeke Emezi Next Book: The Art of Scandal x Regina...
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Take Us to the Rodeo
The menaces review Destry x K.C. Mills and Titus x Charity Shane Books Mentioned: Dominoes, Danzon and Death x Raquel V. Reyes Can't Help but Love You x Tay Mo'Nae How About Forever? x Rilzy Adams Marshall: The Manny Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents x Isabel Wilkerson The Color of Water: A...
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An Unserious Duo
JaLessa's mom listens to SPICY books and the menaces review The Love Lyric x Kristina Forest. Books Mentioned: The Wilderness x Angela Flournoy Oathbound x Tracy Deonn The Blood Gift x N.E. Davenport Goals x Alexandria House I Think I Might Love You x Christina C. Jones I Think I Might Need You x...
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Menace Down
This week, Charisse is without a computer and they review Blacktop Wasteland x SA Cosby. Books Mentioned: Capone x Jahquel J. Oathbound x Tracee Deonn The DJ Saved My Life How About Forever x Rilzy Adams The Library Game x Gigi Pandian The Love Lyric x Kristina Forest You Truly Assumed x Laila...
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Am I Speaking with Shanai?
The menaces play build your book boyfriend and review Vivid x Beverly Jenkins. Books Mentioned: Through the Storm x Beverly Jenkins Can’t Get Enough x Kennedy Ryan A Young Thug’s Kryptonite x Ke'Asia Morris A Little Kissing Between Friends x Chencia C. Higgins A Victim at Valentine’s x Ellie...
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So Unprofessional
The menaces play a quick game and review A Love Like the Sun x Riss M. Neilson Books Mentioned: Sula x Toni Morrison I Think They Love You x Julian Winters Can’t Get Enough x Kennedy Ryan The Fifth Season x N.K. Jemison James x Percival Everett Rosewater x Liv Little Go Tell It On the Mountain x...
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Are You the Feds?
Happy New Year!! The menaces are back with rants about life, Charisse is convinced that JaLessa is the feds, and they review Perfect Peace x Daniel Black. Books Mentioned: Their Vicious Games x Joelle Wellington X+E: The Teachers of Hardwood High x Nina High Who Put This Song On x Morgan Parker...
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Who's in Your Top 8?
In the last episode of the year, JaLessa and Charisse list their top 8 books and review Christmas in Spite of You x K.C. Mills. See you in 2025! Books Mentioned: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies x Deesha Philyaw Write Before Christmas x Lauren W. Roach You’re a Mean One Mr. Chef x Lauren W.…
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Drama at the Alma Mater
Charisse tells JaLessa about new things going on at their alma mater and they review When I Think of You x Myah Ariel Books Mentioned: Blood at the Root x LaDarrion Williams Shadow Coven x S. Isabelle It’s Elementary x Elise Bryant This Ravenous Fate x Hayley Dennings A Novel Christmas x Charity...
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Jana is Annoying
If anyone advocates for DNF’ing (did not finish) a book, it’s Charisse. JaLessa Shantel reviews Jana Goes Wild and Charisse talks about why she DNF’d it. Books Mentioned: A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death x Valerie Burner Higher Love x Alexandra House Made to Love x Alexandra House The Coldest...
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You Can Get with This or You Can Get with That
As always the Menace's talk about any and everything. They play this or that, Charisse talks about things she hates in books, and they review The Black Girl Survives in This One. Books Mentioned: Indigo x Beverly Jenkins Spiked Hot Chocolate x Rilzy Adams Treble x Rilzy Adams Calypso, Corpses…
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Drag Me by My Locs
In today's episode, the menaces discuss reading burnout and reading goals, and review Such Charming Liars x Karen M. McManus. Books Mentioned: Society of Lies x Lauren Ling Brown Shadow Coven x S. Isabelle When We Were Birds x Ayanna Lloyd Banwo Fledging x Octavia E.Butler Rare Breed x Charity...
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Too Damn Long
Charisse starts word of the day and JaLessa Shantel feels like The Reformatory was 200 pages too long. Books Mentioned: Treble x Rilzy Adams Technically Speaking x Michael Elliot Crimes of Passion x Jack Harbon Where We End and Begin x Jane Ighiro Barbacoa x Raquel V. Reyes House of Hunger x…
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The Rating Gets Lower
In today's episode, the menaces talk more about the books they're reading separately, trying avoid reviewing Do What God Mother Says Books Mentioned: Unexpected Lovers x Riley Adams So Lucky x Nicola Griffith Full Disclosure x Camryn Garrett Off the Record x Camryn Garrett Celestial Monsters x...
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Use Your Noggin, Bro
In this episode, Charisse talks about a booktoker that doesn't read the books they review and how Spotify played her with the cap on audiobook listening hours. They also review Partner Plot x Kristina Forest (FYI, Charisse lied...she rated the book 5 starts). Books mentioned: Hold Me While You…
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Return of the Menace
We took a little break because life has been LIFING! But the menaces are back and in this episode, they do a little catching up, talk about some book drama, and review Sight Unseen x Kasha Thompson. Next book: Partner Plot x Kristina Forest If you have any questions or book recommendations feel...
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A Review of a Love Song for Rickie Wilde
The menaces review A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
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A Review of Allegedly x Tiffany D. Jackson
The Menaces try to give you a shorter episode and review one of their favorite authors Tiffany D. Jackson. Next book: This Could Be Us x Kennedy Ryan
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Give It Up for the Birthday Girl and A Review of Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance
JaLessa tells us all about her cruise and how she doesn't like the beach. The menaces review Radha and Jai's Recipe for Romance x Nisha Sharma. Next Book: Allegedly x Tiffany D. Jackson
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We're Back!!
After, enjoying their holiday break the menaces are back and talking about what they did and read on their break! Books Mentioned: Rootless by Krystal Zara Appiah Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop The Vanishing Season by Dot Hutchison Taste Like Shakkar by Nisha...
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M2BS #21 F**k, Marry, K*ll and a Review of Murder and Mamon x Mia P. Manasala
****PREVIOUSLY RECORDED**** JaLessa Shantel gives Charisse the worst choices for f**k, marry, k*ll and they review one of their favorite authors books Murder and Mamon.
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M2BS #20: What's Your Life Anthem and Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
The menaces talk about their life anthem, or anthems in Charisse's case, and review Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers x Jesse Q. Sutanto
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M2BS #19: One Most Go and Review of Black Cake
Charisse DNFs another book, so JaLessa reviews most of it by herself.
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M2BS #18: Let's Pause the Moment and a Review of Monday's Not Coming x Tiffany D. Jackson
The menaces are OBSESSED with Tiffany D. Jackson and her writing. In this episode, they review Monday's Not Coming and Charisse vows to read the rest of her books by the end of the year. Next Book: Black Cake x Charmaine Wilkerson If you have any questions or book recommendations feel free to…
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M2BS #17: He's Perfect But and a Review of One of Us is Back
The menaces play He's Perfect But, Charisse is going to see Beyonce (9/21), and they review One of Us is Back by one of their favorite authors Karen M. McManus Books Mentioned: Beautiful x Danielle Steele Accidentally Pinup x Danielle Jackson Blood Scion x Deborah Falaye Portrait of a Thief x…
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M2BS #16: We're Baaaacccckkkk
The menaces are back after taking a break this summer. They talk about what they did and some books they read this summer. Books Mentioned: They Both Die at the End x Adam Silvera The Thing About Home x Rhonda McKnight Just for the Cameras x Viano Oniomoh Certain Dark Things Silvia Moreno-Garcia...
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M2BS #15: Some Rambles and a Review of Last Night at the Telegraph Club x Malinda Lo
*PREVIOUSLY RECORDED EPISODE* Charisse and JaLessa play some games and ramble on the season finale. Charisse does a semi-review for Last Night at the Telegraph Club x Malinda Lo. Books Mentioned: Sinful Redemption x Asia Monique Honey and Spice x Bolu Babalola The Marathon Don't Stop: The Life…
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About this show
In 2021, JaLessa Shantel had been trying to convince Charisse to try audiobooks. She finally wore her down and now they buddy listen/read a wide range of books, mostly YA mystery/thriller and romance with a sprinkle of grown folk business. Join these friends bi-weekly as they discuss their recent reads, the books they read separately, and whatever else is on their minds. Please send any book recommendations and listener stories/questions to [email protected].*DISCLAIMER*This is an explicit podcast.We are not literary experts & we talk a lot of shit.
Hosted by
Menace II Book Society