TEMPTED: Friends as well as coworkers, Lauren and Tony have maintained a strict hands-off policy with each other--until an out-of-town party gives them an excuse to share a hotel room. And when they do, their clothes come off--and the new rule is definitely hands on. HOT WIRED: Spending a summer in San Francisco before starting her career, Lola is looking for fun. And when she meets the driver of a fire-engine red pickup--a guy with plenty of muscle under his own hood--he finds herself in for the hottest, hardest ride of her life. CHINA DOLL: When Rand and Anna meet in the lush heat of an Indonesian hotel, it's strictly one night only for two strangers looking to banish the ghosts in their pasts. But more than their skin is bared when they come together in the tropical heat, and before long they're aching for more.

"Our intimate connection with the world, skin protects us while advertising our health, our identity, and our individuality. This synthetic overview, written with a poetic touch and taking many intriguing side excursions, is a guidebook to the pliable covering that makes us who we are. This book celebrates the evolution of three unique attributes of human skin: its naked sweatiness, its distinctive sepia rainbow of colors, and its remarkable range of decorations. Author Jablonski begins with a look at skin's structure and functions and then tours its three-hundred-million-year evolution, delving into such topics as the importance of touch and how the skin reflects and affects emotions. She examines the modern human obsession with age-related changes in skin, especially wrinkles, then turns to skin as a canvas for self-expression, exploring our use of cosmetics, body paint, tattooing, and scarification"--Publisher's description.

Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR and Vanity Fair One of Smithsonian's Ten Best Science Books of 2020 “A searching and vital explication of germ theory, social norms, and what the modern era is really doing to our bodies and our psyches.” —Vanity Fair A preventative medicine physician and staff writer for The Atlantic explains the surprising and unintended effects of our hygiene practices in this informative and entertaining introduction to the new science of skin microbes and probiotics. Keeping skin healthy is a booming industry, and yet it seems like almost no one agrees on what actually works. Confusing messages from health authorities and ineffective treatments have left many people desperate for reliable solutions. An enormous alternative industry is filling the void, selling products that are often of questionable safety and totally unknown effectiveness. In Clean, doctor and journalist James Hamblin explores how we got here, examining the science and culture of how we care for our skin today. He talks to dermatologists, microbiologists, allergists, immunologists, aestheticians, bar-soap enthusiasts, venture capitalists, Amish people, theologians, and straight-up scam artists, trying to figure out what it really means to be clean. He even experiments with giving up showers entirely, and discovers that he is not alone. Along the way, he realizes that most of our standards of cleanliness are less related to health than most people think. A major part of the picture has been missing: a little-known ecosystem known as the skin microbiome—the trillions of microbes that live on our skin and in our pores. These microbes are not dangerous; they’re more like an outer layer of skin that no one knew we had, and they influence everything from acne, eczema, and dry skin, to how we smell. The new goal of skin care will be to cultivate a healthy biome—and to embrace the meaning of “clean” in the natural sense. This can mean doing much less, saving time, money, energy, water, and plastic bottles in the process. Lucid, accessible, and deeply researched, Clean explores the ongoing, radical change in the way we think about our skin, introducing readers to the emerging science that will be at the forefront of health and wellness conversations in coming years.

It is the largest and perhaps the most important organ of our body—it covers our fragile inner parts, defines our social identities, and channels our sensory experiences. And yet we rarely give a thought. With The Book of Skin, Steven Connor aims to change all that, offering an intriguing cultural history of skin. Connor first examines physical issues such as leprosy, skin pigmentation, cancer, blushing, and attenuations of erotic touch. He also explains why specific colors symbolize certain emotions, such as green for envy or yellow for cowardice, as well as why skin is the focus of destructive rage in many people’s violent fantasies. The Book of Skin then probes into how skin has been such a powerfully symbolic terrain in photography, religious iconography, cinema, and literature. From the Turin shroud to Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man to plastic surgery, The Book of Skin expertly examines the role of skin in Western culture. A compelling read that penetrates well beyond skin-deep, The Book of Skin validates James Joyce’s declaration that “modern man has an epidermis rather than a soul.” “Richly conceived and elaborately thought out. No flicker of meaning has escaped Connor’s ferocious, all-seeing eye.”—Guardian

With the ease and simplicity of a nursery rhyme, this lively story delivers an important message of social acceptance to young readers. Themes associated with child development and social harmony, such as friendship, acceptance, self-esteem, and diversity are promoted in simple and straightforward prose. Vivid illustrations of children's activities for all cultures, such as swimming in the ocean, hugging, catching butterflies, and eating birthday cake are also provided. This delightful picturebook offers a wonderful venue through which parents and teachers can discuss important social concepts with their children.

Many people suffer from skin conditions -- acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis -- and seek conventional medical help, but don't get the results they hope for. What they don't realize is how good their skin can be when they adopt a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. In Clean Skin from Within, Dr. Trevor Cates presents guidelines and recipes to transform your skin from the inside out. She explains the "why" of what's happening, and how you can remedy problems. Dr. Cates opens by showing how to identify your skin type to reach the root cause of problems. From there you'll learn how to create nourishing foods to create a clean mind, clear skin, and healthy body. Collagen-boosting bone broths, antioxidant-rich salads, and delicious smoothies are just a few things on the menu. You'll also be able to whip up all-natural cleansers, toners, exfoliants, and masks Within two weeks, both your skin and your whole being will be polished, perfect, and ready to glow.

“Adina does an amazing job of simplifying the journey to detox your beauty regimen so that you can experience your healthiest skin ever. Skin Cleanse is a must-read for anyone looking to truly heal their skin.” — Vani Hari, activist, author of The Food Babe Way and creator of FoodBabe.com “I love Adina Grigore’s less-is-more approach to glowing skin. She uses real ingredients to get real results. Every woman who is besieged by skin problems should read this book!” — Sophie Uliano, bestselling author of Gorgeously Green “Reading this book is like talking to your best friend (i.e. so much fun!). Adina shares her firsthand experiences and wisdom about healthy eating and natural skin care in a way that will get you excited about leaving the bad stuff behind and embracing a more vibrant lifestyle.” — Sarma Melngailis, author of Living Raw Food and owner of Pure Food and Wine “Skin Cleanse is the most comprehensive holistic guide to healthy skin I have ever come across. Her simple yet powerful recipes and guidance show readers how to ‘feed’ their skin and get great results.” — Joshua Rosenthal, founder and director of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition “Skin Cleanse is in alignment with what I teach: that healthy skin comes from the inside out. Adina Grigore has busted the myths about cosmetics and has given us the tools to achieve glowing skin from our own kitchen.” — Alejandro Junger, M.D., author of the New York Times bestsellers Clean and Clean Gut