Title search results
Showing 1 - 20 of 5241 items
Mom, Can I Do My Laundry at Your House?: Poems from Your Adult Child
By Olivia Roberts. 2023
Even as a grown-up, sometimes all we need is a hug from our mom—and access to their washing machine. Via…
fifty short, relatable poems, Mom, Can I Do My Laundry at Your House? celebrates the amazing people who raised us and support us, even when we're still siphoning their streaming services and going grocery shopping in their fully stocked pantry well into adulthood.I see that you're typingAnd I will wait patiently for your text to come throughBecause I knowYou are only usingYour pointer fingerWith poems ranging from cheeky to sweet, side-splitting to sincere, this collection is sure to make mom smile for Mother's Day, birthday, holiday, and just because!Nap Ministry's Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture
By Tricia Hersey. 2023
"This is about more than naps. Rest is anything that allows you to connect your body with your mind."The Nap…
Ministry's Rest Deck is a rousing call to reclaim rest in everyday life. Delivered in a stunning package with gold accents and gorgeous artwork throughout, the deck combines restorative meditations with prescient wisdom from celebrated activist and teaching artist Tricia Hersey, a.k.a. "the Nap Bishop," and founder of the Nap Ministry.Readers will discover 50 inspiring cards, each with an empowering affirmation and a simple practice to encourage rest, rejuvenation, and imagination. Rooted in social justice and imbued with spirituality, these cards offer short, accessible practices designed to uplift anyone suffering from the toxic effects of grind culture.Dad Law: The Definitive Reference for All Things Dad
By Ally Probst, Joel Willis. 2023
Finally, the unwritten rules of Dadhood have been written in Dad Law.Since the dawn of time, all dads have understood…
that there are a set of rules for fathers—both old and new alike—that guide them to gleefully repeat terrible puns as well as to hone the perfect deadpan joke delivery. This handsome tome collects all of the governing laws of fatherhood, covering a vast array of conceivable situations ranging from fashion to tech to simply being a dad in public. At last, fathers need look no further to confirm that their instincts are 100 percent legally sound, whether it's to vigilantly guard the thermostat settings or to tell unsuspecting children, "Hey, pull my finger." It's not a choice. It's a law: Dad Law.THE FIRST OF ITS KIND: Never before have all the rules of fatherhood been collected in such a definitive (and laugh-out-loud funny) way!GOOD FOR ALL DADS: Full of universal dad rules that are inclusive of all kinds of dads and their unique families! Grandfathers and uncles, too!HANDSOME AND GIFTABLE: Bound in faux leather with gold stamping, reminiscent of a law textbook, Dad Law is the perfect gift for Father's Day, birthdays, or baby showers.Perfect for:Are you a dad? Do you have a dad? This book is definitely for you!Every man whose dad jokes, dadwear, and questionable behavior have elicited eye rolls, face palms, and a chorus of protests from their nearest and dearest Fans of Sh*t My Dad Says, Father-ish, Tom Segura, Jim Gaffigan, and Dave BarryHumor enthusiasts and anyone who loves puns and dad joke booksOutstanding gift for any dad, including expecting dads, lawyer dads, and father figures, for Father's Day, birthday, holiday, or welcoming a son, daughter, or grandchildThings to Look Forward To: 52 Large and Small Joys for Today and Every Day
By Sophie Blackall. 2022
Everyone needs things to look forward to: big things and small things, on good days and on bad days, whether…
we actively create delight for ourselves or simply allow it to enter our lives.In these pages, beloved author and illustrator Sophie Blackall has gathered a collection of joys for all of us—reminders that every day the sun comes up and new babies are born. She includes suggestions that you bake muffins for a friend, or draw a face on an egg and put it in the fridge where it will smile at you each time you open the door. With wisdom, whimsy, and compassion, the 52 illustrated ideas in this book offer moments of uplift and serendipity for yourself and your loved ones.A message of hope and solace in hard times and of joyful anticipation at times of new beginnings—whether you're grieving a loss or starting a new chapter—and for all the days in between—Things to Look Forward to is full of gentle reminders of the objects, occasions, gestures, and ideas that warm our hearts. There is always something bright on the horizon, and sometimes that horizon can be a lot closer than we think.BELOVED AUTHOR: Sophie Blackall is a world-renowned, two-time Caldecott award–winning children's book author and illustrator. Whether your kids grew up with Ivy & Bean and If You Come to Earth, or you're discovering Blackall's empathetic voice and gorgeous artwork for the first time, you’re sure to fall in love with her new book for adults and folks of all ages.UPLIFTING AND HOPEFUL: We all need a little reassurance that things will get better—this book offers just that, and so much more. It reminds us that while looking forward is important, sometimes we can take matters into our own hands and create our own joy when we need it most.THE PERFECT GIFT: Not only a promise of solace in tough times, this book is also a celebration of joyful new beginnings—after all, who has more to look forward to than parents of new babies, or recent grads? You'll want to give Things to Look Forward to to the grieving and the embarking alike. Perfect for new moms, new graduates, those going through breakups or suffering a loss, and anyone who could use a little extra joy in life just because. Perfect for:• Those going through hard times and those experiencing joyous life events• Parents (or aunts, uncles, grandparents) who have bought Sophie Blackall's books for their children and fallen in love with her artwork• Shoppers looking for the perfect grad gift or baby shower gift• People looking for a way to express sympathy with someone who is struggling or grievingLove and Justice: A Journey of Empowerment, Activism, and Embracing Black Beauty
By Laetitia Ky. 2022
The deeply personal story of artist, activist, and influencer Laetitia Ky, told through the powerful sculptures she creates with her…
own hair that embrace Black culture and beauty, the fight for social justice, and the journey toward self-love.Laetitia Ky is a one-of-a-kind artist, activist, and creative voice based in Ivory Coast, West Africa. With the help of extensions, wool, wire, and thread, Ky sculpts her hair into unique and compelling art pieces that shine a light on, and ignite conversation around, social justice. Her bold and intimate storytelling, which she openly shares with her extensive social media audience, covers issues like:• Sexism and internalized misogyny• Racial oppression• Reproductive rights and consent• Harmful beauty standards• Shame and its corrosive effect on mental health• And moreLove and Justice is equal parts memoir, artwork, and feminist manifesto. Ky's striking words, combined with 135 remarkable photographs, offer empowerment and inspiration. She emerges from her exploration of justice and equality with a message of self-love, showing readers the path to loving themselves and their bodies, expressing their voices, and feeling more confident.Through this celebration of women's empowerment, Ky extends a generous invitation to love ourselves, embrace our unique beauty, and to work toward a more just world.Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-racist, Nonbinary Field Guide for Graphic Designers
By Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Tobias. 2021
Extra Bold is the inclusive, practical, and informative (design) career guide for everyone!Part textbook and part comic book, zine, manifesto,…
survival guide, and self-help manual, Extra Bold is filled with stories and ideas that don't show up in other career books or design overviews.• Both pragmatic and inquisitive, the book explores power structures in the workplace and how to navigate them.• Interviews showcase people at different stages of their careers.• Biographical sketches explore individuals marginalized by sexism, racism, and ableism.• Practical guides cover everything from starting out, to wage gaps, coming out at work, cover letters, mentoring, and more.A new take on the design canon.• Opens with critical essays that rethink design principles and practices through theories of feminism, anti-racism, inclusion, and nonbinary thinking.• Features interviews, essays, typefaces, and projects from dozens of contributors with a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, and positions of economic and social privilege.• Adds new voices to the dominant design canon.Written collaboratively by a diverse team of authors, with original, handcrafted illustrations by Jennifer Tobias that bring warmth, happiness, humor, and narrative depth to the book. Extra Bold is written by Ellen Lupton (Thinking with Type), Farah Kafei, Jennifer Tobias, Josh A. Halstead, Kaleena Sales, Leslie Xia, and Valentina Vergara.Look I Bought Plants: And Other Poems About Life and Stuff
By Eva Victor, Taylor Garron. 2021
This hilarious collection on daily life, friendship, and dating distills the millennial experience into 200 short and cheeky poems.Let's face…
it, adulthood is rough. From career struggles to astronomical student debt to climate change angst, there's a lot to worry about. Look I Bought Plants: And Other Poems about Life and Stuff was dreamt up by two twenty-somethings—Taylor Garron and Eva Victor—who love jokes and sex, in that order. From silly slices of life to R-rated encounters, their witty, irreverent, and satirical poetry reflects on everyday challenges, relationships, and everything else there is to be anxious about.For the millennial trying to put together their IKEA furniture, your cool niece with the septum piercing, or anyone who has ever dated someone in their head, Look I Bought Plants is a funny, charming reminder that you aren't alone and we can all commiserate.• TIMELY AND RELATABLE CONTENT: Millennials may be exhausted, but their own amusing attitudes towards their exhaustion never tire! This book takes a cynical yet laughable approach—the millennial experience perfectly encapsulated in verse. Each poem is highly relatable and you may find yourself saying, "Okay, this is me."• RISING STAR AUTHORS: Eva Victor's writing is published in The New Yorker and she has appeared on various media outlets including Forbes. Taylor Garron's work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Onion, and Vulture.• GREAT PRESENT OR SELF-PURCHASE: With a vivid design, a low price point, and relatable content, Look I Bought Plants begs to be shared with all of your friends and gifted to you by your family. It's trendy and affordable—just the way millennials like it!A Turtle's Guide to Introversion
By Ton Mak. 2021
A Turtle's Guide to Introversion is a delightful illustrated gift book that celebrates the wonderful qualities of introverts through the…
everyday adventures of a turtle.Being an introvert comes with numerous advantages and the occasional woe, and no animal knows that better than the humble turtle hiding in its shell. This book celebrates introverts and their many wonderful, often-underrated qualities.The story is narrated by a lovable turtle who finds socializing tiring, prefers alone time, and recharges through solitude. Each spread features 2-color illustrations of Turtle navigating life alongside a cast of pudgy animal friends. Self-identified introverts, art and comics enthusiasts will love the spare yet resonant text, adorable narrator, and delightful illustrations. This uplifting novelty book is a cute collectible or a sweet anytime gift for a friend.• BESTSELLING BOOK SERIES: Author Ton Mak delivers all the same ingredients as her bestselling book A Sloth's Guide to Mindfulness with a new (adorable) animal protagonist you'll instantly love.• INTROVERTS DESERVE TO BE CELEBRATED: Introverts are having a moment (separately, each one on their own). People are preferring to stay in rather than go out and this book makes it ok to need some alone time.Perfect for:• Introverts, and Extroverts who are secretly Introverts.• People who like turtles.• Fans of quirky comics in the style of Gemma Correll, Jomny Sun, and Yumi Sakugawa.Simplicity at Home: Japanese Rituals, Recipes, and Arrangements for Thoughtful Living
By Yumiko Sekine. 2021
A gorgeous guide to creating a beautiful, comfortable home based on Japanese traditions from the founder of the beloved lifestyle…
brand Fog Linen Work.For anyone who dreams of a home filled with well-organized closets, eye-catching flower arrangements, perfectly draped blankets, and thoughtfully curated shelves, here is a guide to cultivating an elegant home.Yumiko Sekine, founder of the internationally celebrated lifestyle brand Fog Linen Work, shares lovely rituals and simple techniques based on Japanese traditions, including practices for decorating, organizing, preparing food, and more. From the kitchen to the bedroom and every space in between, here are tips for refreshing a home each season—arranging and displaying fresh flowers in spring, choosing the right sheets and linens for summer, taking warm herbal baths in autumn, and draping blankets and layering rugs to cozy up a space for winter. Brimming with easy-to-follow tips for elevating any space and packed with hundreds of photographs showcasing gorgeous interiors, this book is an invitation to create a home that nourishes, rejuvenates, and inspires—all year long.• CELEBRATED AUTHOR: Yumiko Sekine is the founder of Fog Linen Work, a Japanese home goods brand sold throughout the world and beloved by home cooks, interior decorators, and design enthusiasts. Her products are known for their simplicity, beauty, and ability to elevate any space. In this book, Sekine distills all her secrets to creating a home that exudes simple elegance.• ORGANIZATION MADE EASY: This book gives readers easy, elegant ways to declutter their homes and organize their belongings, whether they live in an apartment or house, and includes simple tips for tidying and curating objects to bring order and simplicity to every room.• JAPANESE TRADITIONS: Yumiko presents Japanese traditions for preparing food, arranging flowers, entertaining, organizing, and more. The combination of ancient practices and modern techniques makes this the perfect companion for anyone curious about Japanese culture and aesthetics.• GIFT WORTHY: Presented in a linen-wrapped case and brimming with hundreds of gorgeous photographs and inspired advice for every home, this book is a perfect addition to any bookshelf and a lovely gift for new homeowners, newlyweds, and fans of organization and interior design.Perfect for:• Interior designers, minimalists, and fans of sustainability• People who are into organizing their space• Fans of Fog Linen WorkGreat Sex Starts at 50: Age-Proof Your Libido & Transform Your Sex Life
By Tracey Cox. 2021
"Hoping to keep having great sex for the rest of your life? Be sure to keep this book next to…
your bed." —Stephen Snyder, MDIt's time to discover that the sex you have later in life can be far superior.Reassuring, honest, funny, and most of all empowering, Great Sex Starts at 50 is the must-have sex and relationships book for men and women hitting half a century with little sign of slowing down. There's no denying that something happens to us sexually at 50. From menopause to the mixed blessing of Viagra to other challenges that go beyond the physical: How do you ignite desire after decades with the same person?Thankfully, information and enthusiasm can help you reclaim a robust sex life—and greater health, as a result. In this easy-to-follow guide, Tracey Cox uses a blend of research, case studies, practical techniques, and personal anecdotes to show you how to arouse yourself and your partner, regain your passion, navigate relationship issues, and create the perfect conditions for sex. Tracey's authentic, trustworthy, and relatable approach will give you everything you need to do it!The perfect book for:• The growing demographic of Gen X and Boomers who want to live well and are leading a new dating and sexual revolution for the over-50s• Fans of Hot Sex: How to Do It• Milestone birthday gift seekers (40th, 50th)• Premenopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal women looking for a sexual health resource• Medical professionalsCreate Your Own Midlife Crisis: The Best Way to Make the Worst Decisions
By Marie Phillips. 2021
Create Your Own Midlife Crisis is a fun and humorous choose-your-own-path book on making risqué and bold choices in the…
prime of midlife, giving you the chance to try countless roads not yet taken.What's the worst that could happen?Are you on the far side of forty and wondering how you ended up here? Do you secretly wish you could set flame to everything and walk away in slow motion, leave your tedious responsibilities and boring routines behind, and start life over again?What if you could?In the classic choose-your-own-path style, gives you unlimited chances to try all the roads not taken:To quit your stupid job, turn to page 108.To buy a motorcycle, turn to page 74.To agree to a swingers' night, turn to page 82.To go clubbing with your mom, turn to page 68.Whether it's an affair with a younger man, trying ayahuasca, or just telling your boss to shove it, Create Your Own Midlife Crisis delivers over 150 exciting and hilarious ways to reinvent your life.With illustrations and endless possibilities, this fun and affordable book is the PERFECT GIRLFRIEND's GIFT! It will make a hilarious birthday, retirement, Galentine's, or girlfriend's gift for anyone in their midlife years.• What to gift a girlfriend going through a divorce? Divorce can be difficult and painful, but these days, women are also making it fun and empowering—as evidenced in The Huffington Post's piece, "Divorce Parties: Inside the Trend That Makes Ending a Marriage Look Fun." Create Your Own Midlife Crisis is the perfect gag gift for such an event.• A fun, easy escape from daily life: Whether you're looking for a fun way to pass the time on a 10-hour flight or just a quick 15-minute read before bed (because you are a busy Bosslady), this book is both easy to dip into and fun to get lost in.• Missing Choose-your-own-path books? Create Your Own Midlife Crisis will appeal to anyone who grew up reading choose-your-own-adventure books and loves the interactive experience of making reckless choices and discovering unexpected paths while reading.Mommy Cusses: Inspiring Profanity and Stimulating Sarcasm for Mamas Who've Seen It All
By Serena Dorman. 2021
For fans of Go the F*ck to Sleep, Mommy Cusses is a hilarious novelty parenting book full of tell-it-like-it-is quotes,…
snarky lists, and too-true anecdotes that will resonate with new moms everywhere.For new-ish mothers who need to laugh at the absurdity of parenting so they don't cry, who are looking for a we're-in-this-together sense of solidarity, and who don't have time to read a "real" book, here is a hilarious and highly relatable collection of mom malarkey. There are real-talk quotes, helpful lists (such as "How to Look Like You Have Your Act Together"), "mom-tivities," and quizzes, all delivered with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Packaged in a handy trim size with colorful illustrations throughout, Mommy Cusses is the perfect gift for moms and moms-to-be who need some comic relief.• GREAT GIFT: Mommy Cusses is super relatable and laugh-out-loud funny, making it an easy gift for Mother's Day or a baby shower, or an anytime gift for a parent.• PERENNIAL TOPIC: It doesn't take long to experience all the ups and downs of parenting. Mommy Cusses features timeless mommy humor that won't go out of style and a fresh look and feel that speaks to young parents.Perfect for:• Expectant parents and parents of children under 5• Shoppers looking for a baby shower or Mother's Day gift for a friend, spouse, or daughter• Followers of the Mommy Cusses blog or Instagram accountFeathered & Fabulous: Wit And Wisdom From Glamorous Birds
By Alison Throckmorton. 2021
This laugh-out-loud funny book features our fancy feathered friends living the life of the rich and famous.These fabulous birds have…
had enough and are ready to start living life—not just the way they want, but the way they deserve! Featuring various birds in their own Real Housewives scenarios, Feathered & Fabulous is the perfect blend of snark, sass, and medication.Adelaide is going to buy that exquisite fur coat, Faye is going to drop that idiot husband of hers, and Patrice is going to show off those legs because she's not afraid to flaunt it. Stunning, funny, and sarcastic, Feathered & Fabulous is sure to make everyone laugh.• UNIQUE, GLITZY, AND FUN: Just like your favorite Real Housewives or the beloved Kris Jenner, this book is unapologetic and fabulous. With sassy humor and a flashy cover, these birds are fresh, fashionable, and ready to tell the world.• HILARIOUS SHARE AND GIFT-BUY: Feathered & Fabulous is a perfect housewarming present, gag gift, stocking stuffer, or present for yourself, your martini-loving gal pal, your reality television buddies, or even the divorcee in your life.• BIRD HUMOR ON TREND: The internet is seeing an influx of bird humor—The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America has sold over 50,000 copies! People who love birds and people who love to hate birds will love Feathered & Fabulous.The Church As A Culture Of Care: Finding Hope In Biblical Community
By T. Dale Johnson. 2021
We all know people in our world are struggling--eating disorders, addictions, depression, sexual issues, marital problems--the list goes on and…
on. Can the church help or is that an outdated concept that no longer fits modern problems? In The Church as a Culture of Care, biblical counselor Dale Johnson explains that the church is still the primary place where those who struggle can receive lasting hope and healing. Pastors and lay leaders in the church often feel inadequate to address certain needs and are unsure of how to help. This book is designed to help erase the stigma of "mental health issues" in the church and to present the church as the primary haven for answers to deep-seated human problems. Readers will learn that God has designed every function of the church to be an integral part of soul care. God has provided the church with the necessary us to care well for one another. Prayer, the Word, the work of the Holy Spirit, and Christian community are God's provisions to lead all of us to Christ--even those with the deepest struggles. Counselors, ministers, and lay leaders will be empowered to have confidence in God's purpose for the church, the power of his Spirit, and the sufficiency of his Word for soul care.Glow: Five Steps to Create the Life You Dream About
By Georgie Crawford. 2023
'A simple and compelling roadmap for a happier existence' IRISH INDEPENDENT'Full of wisdom, this is the book your best friend…
might have written for you' ANGELA SCANLONAre you caught in a constant cycle of busyness? And yet sometimes feel like you're waiting to start living?For over a decade, podcaster and health coach Georgie Crawford felt the same way, as she focused on all the things that make a life look good. Then she received some devastating news and began to ask herself the important questions:What is it that I want from life?Who could I be, if I really started believing in myself?Here, Georgie tells her story and shows you how you can live a happier, more fulfilled life.From how to discover your true potential by connecting to your inner world, to practical tips that will help you create real and lasting change, Glow is your step-by-step guide to finally taking life into your own hands.'A beautiful guide to empower you to step out of the artificial light of expectations into the glow of your true self' GERRY HUSSEYExcessively Obsessed: Find your passion, build your business, learn your limits, love your life
By Natasha Oakley. 2024
Modern and practical business lessons from Natasha Oakley, co-founder of Monday Swimwear and The Pilates Class Do you have an…
idea for a business, but no clue where to start? Is there a product or service you're sure you could sell, if only you knew how to file the paperwork or fund the company or build the marketing plan? Do you have an inkling that you'll want to start a business one day - and you can't stop wondering if you have what it takes? Then you have come to the right place.In this empowering guide, Natasha gives an honest account of the blood, sweat and tears that goes into creating a successful business, from registering your company and opening a bank account, all the way to building your team and scaling for growth. Removing the glamour of #hustleculture and the illusion of how easy it might look on social media, Natasha will detail how she bartered jobs and co-founded Monday Swimwear in her living room with her best friend and grew that business (and others) to a multi-million dollar empire. And she will explain how, no matter what your idea, if you are Excessively Obsessed with it, you can do the same. In her book, she will show readers how to: - Harness your idea to create a viable business that has longevity- Know when to leave your job, how to fund your start-up and whether you need a business partner - Generate and grow a huge following - Build contacts when no one knows who you are- Rise above pressures of social media to use it powerfully and with purpose- Create work/life balance to avoid burnout and take care of yourself Excessively Obsessed is for anyone who has ever wondered: should I start my own business? (Spoiler alert: There's no right answer!) And whether you decide to get started tomorrow or give it more time, you'll close this book with a reignited sense of passion and purpose in your career. Through her own story, Natasha will inspire readers to tap into their own unique potential, because when you find your calling, it's worth becoming obsessed.Walking Meditations: To find a place of peace, wherever you are (Meditations)
By Danielle North. 2023
Cultivate mindfulness and bring your mind and body in sync with this beautiful book of walking meditations.Walking meditation, also known…
as Kinhin meditation, is widely practiced in many forms of Buddhism, blending the physical experience of walking with the focused mindfulness of a meditative state. This can be done anywhere, from a few steps at home to a short walk on a bustling street, or a longer hike in the countryside.Walking while meditating boosts awareness, improves sleep quality, offers mental clarity and facilitates a mind-body connection. It is a practice you can develop each time you leave the house, to help you refocus and come back to yourself.This beautifully illustrated book will guide you through the process of finding inner peace while on the move, with a selection of meditations for every season, long and short walks in both a natural and an urban setting, and meditations for creativity, calm and focus. Walking Meditations will help you use your surroundings as a meditative tool so you can restore your energy, come back into your senses and find calm in your day-to-day life.Contents include:10-minute mood boostComing off auto-pilotWalking with your sensesExtended meditations for every seasonPower Up: How to feel awesome by protecting and boosting positive energy
By Alison Davies. 2023
Protect, maintain and boost your positive energy around the clock.Power Up brings together multiple popular self-care and wellbeing practices in…
one place: how to cleanse and protect your aura; the power of daily affirmations ad mantras; how breathing techniques can help you feel engaged and energized; and the ability to change the narrative by using visualisation and manifestation.With bitesized exercises that are easy to incorporate into busy schedules, tips on little boosts to help pick you up throughout the day, and a handy Daily Energy Clock, Power Up will help create positive habits which are easy to stick to for a lasting impact on your daily energy levels.Be More Sarina: Celebrate the Manager of England’s World Cup Finalists
By S. Ford, T. Davies. 2023
Is there anyone with a track record like Sarina Weigman? Undefeated at any finals she is the epitome of success,…
so shouldn't you... be more Sarina?Here are 80 scenarios in which Sarina would operate with flawless efficiency, such as:Sarina would never wear a half-and-half scarf.Sarina could design a VAR system that everyone was happy with.Sarina could make cyclists and taxi drivers get along.Sarina always believed it would take women to bring it home.Perfect for the footy fan in your life, and publishing just ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup, Be More Sarina is the fun way to celebrate England's most successful football manager.The Male Gazed: On Hunks, Heartthrobs, and What Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men
By Manuel Betancourt. 2023
Featuring deep dives into thirst traps, drag queens, Antonio Banderas, and telenovelas—all in the service of helping us reframe how…
we talk about (desiring) men—this insightful memoir-in-essays is as much a coming of age as a coming out bookManuel Betancourt has long lustfully coveted masculinity—in part because he so lacked it. As a child in Bogotá, Colombia, he grew up with the social pressure to appear strong, manly, and, ultimately, straight. And yet in the films and television he avidly watched, Betancourt saw glimmers of different possibilities. From the stars of telenovelas and the princes of Disney films to pop sensation Ricky Martin and teen heartthrobs in shows like Saved By the Bell, he continually found himself asking: Do I want him or do I want to be him?The Male Gazed grapples with the thrall of masculinity, examining its frailty and its attendant anxieties even as it focuses on its erotic potential. Masculinity, Betancourt suggests, isn&’t suddenly ripe for deconstruction—or even outright destruction—amid so much talk about its inherent toxicity. Looking back over decades&’ worth of pop culture&’s attempts to codify and reframe what men can be, wear, do, and desire, this book establishes that to gaze at men is still a subversive act.Written in the spirit of Hanif Abdurraqib and Olivia Laing, The Male Gazed mingles personal anecdotes with cultural criticism to offer an exploration of intimacy, homoeroticism, and the danger of internalizing too many toxic ideas about masculinity as a gay man.