At twenty-something years old, Lamar Ariel is not straight, not white, not uneducated, and — contrary to popular opinion — not unusual. He has taken the literary world by storm with his book Ready to Male, a collection of letters that explore male sexuality.

Lamar Ariel writes a letter to us all — offering a heartfelt and humorous peak into his world. — Toby Thompkins, author of The Real Lives of Strong Black Women

Inspired by writers such as J California Cooper along with authors such as Toni Morrison, David Sedaris, Tim'm West, and ZZ Packer, Lamar Ariel wrote letters as a way to remember and creatively preserve his life experiences. "My letters have been my therapy, my escapism, my impromptu best friend, and most importantly, part of the ever-growing documentation that tells the world I existed. Without the letters and the vehicle for examining my life that they have become I don't think I could really and truly love being alive as much as I do." Ready to Male provides fictional elaborations of memories, experiences, and thoughts with a primary focus on Ariel's journey through the "complicated realm" of his twenties. "I like to think of Ready to Male as a memoir in as well as a memoir of progress. When I go back and read what I felt, believed, or wanted and then compare those moments to what my life is writing now, it's a wonderful tool to document personal growth. I can read a letter like "Dear Funny Valentine" or a chapter of the book like "Is It Me or Is It New?" and always find a striking difference between the mental space that was 'home' at that particular space and time, versus the mental space which exists as my 'home' now."

If Paul Beatty and James Hardy had a love child, he would be Lamar Ariel. Ready to Male is witty, poignant, and as delightful of a read as you will find. — Ferentz Lafargue, author of Songs in the Key of My Life

Ready to Male — A Collection of Letters: Lamar Ariel Ready to Male is autobiographical fiction written in the form of letters. The work infuses elements of short-story and memoir writing styles to provide a snapshot of Lamar Ariel's ongoing journey to creatively examine rather than dismiss his personal thoughts. Using humor, wordplay, poetry, and a healthy dose of sarcasm, each chapter of Ready to Male contains exaggerated interpretations of real life experiences. The work provides an intimate vessel for eaves-dropping on one man's attempt to make sense of his emotions in the rapidly changing world around him. USA UK

The Metrosexual: Gender, Sexuality, and Sport In this exploration of past and present celebrity athletes, David Coad shows how gender roles for men are undergoing a revolutionary change. Once famous for their lack of style off the field, professional players are now fashion-conscious trendsetters. Looking at certain stellar sports figures of the past, such as Joe Namath and Jim Palmer, who were at the vanguard of reinterpreting gender roles, Coad goes on to examine their primped out and "pimped out" contemporary successors - those athletic peacocks in their furs, silks, and diamonds who embody metrosexuality, widen its focus, and demonstrate the range of experiences open to today's male. USA UK

Hiding in Hip Hop Everyone wants to know the truth about their favorite celebrities' heart's desire. Within the masculine culture of Hip Hop and Hollywood, there is a well-known gay subculture that industry insiders are keenly aware of but choose to hide. Terrance Dean worked his way up for more than ten years in the entertainment industry from intern to executive, and has lived the life of glitz and bling along with Hollywood and Hip Hop's most glamorous. With a family full of secrets and working in an industry founded on maleness — where one's job, friendships, and reputation all depend on remaining on the down low and in hiding — Dean writes a revealing account of the journey of coming out from hiding. Full of startling anecdotes and incredible true stories, Hiding in Hip Hop is not a traditional tell-all. A personal and poignant memoir, it is also one of the most provocative and honest looks at stardom and sexuality. USA UK

How do you explain Dennis Rodman's dyed hair, tattoos, and pierced body parts? Why are there so many athletes stripping for men's underwear ads? Besides sport, what do Pat Riley, Alex Rodriguez, and Ian Thorpe have in common? And why has David Beckham been compared to Louis XIV? The Metrosexual: Gender, Sexuality, and Sport

Many black men who sleep with other men do not consider themselves to be gay. These men live "on the down low," and their sexual activities have gained notice as the rate of HIV/AIDS infection in black women has skyrocketed, with the vast majority of cases coming from heterosexual sex. On The Down Low

Arguably the most controversial issue facing Christians today is their attitude towards homosexuality. In recent years, secular and political attitudes have changed. With homosexuality increasingly portrayed positively in the media, how sensitively does the church deal with gay people? Adam and Steve?

Photographer Pedro Virgil takes you on an intimate journey behind-the-scenes giving you candid glimpses of sportsmen as they bare their muscular physiques chiseled by combat on the field, and relax, often nude in front of the camera in a highly-charged interpretation of the naked spirit of masculinity. Gods of Sport

Finally, the way to real, lasting weight loss for real guys is here – The Belly Off! Diet & Fitness Plan! The secret to this groundbreaking program isn’t complicated formulas, cardboard food, or weird portions. Instead, it’s the simple true-life techniques of real guys who lost loads of weight and kept it off. The Belly Off! Diet