Argues that there is no authentic self, that reality is people continually remaking themselves to look like the people they want to be, and that there is nothing inherently wrong with that.

Having faked his way into the Music and Art Academy, a performing arts school for gifted students where his talented older sister rules, sixth-grader Jake, a jokester who can barely play an instrument, will have to think of something quick before the last laugh is on him.

"Frankie Neumann's an introvert, and he's always been the outsider in his family of performers, but all that's about to change once he finds an outlet for his artistic talents"--

MAKE EVERY CONVERSATION A REAL CONVERSATION THAT GETS RESULTS In Overcoming Fake Talk, business communication guru John R. Stoker offers proven advice for turning challenging confrontations into rewarding exchanges that foster collaboration, improve performance, and achieve results. "Overcoming Fake Talk is a thorough compendium of ideas, frameworks, examples, and actions to improve conversations. Stoker's four 'REAL' conversation skills and eight principles give the novice and master insights and guidelines for improving conversation." -- Dave Ulrich, Professor, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan; Partner, The RBL Group; and author of The Why of Work "Great questions, great suggestions. . . . Bravo! I will put Stoker's ideas to use in my own practice." -- Beverly Kaye, founder and co-CEO, Career Systems International, and coauthor of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go "Adhering to and implementing these principles will dramatically increase your ability to communicate and improve your relationships in your professional and personal life." -- Hyrum W. Smith, cofounder, FranklinCovey "An insightful blend of rock-solid theory accompanied by compelling examples of the huge distinction between real and fake communication." -- John H. Zenger, CEO, Zenger Folkman, and coauthor of How to Be Exceptional "Stoker teaches true principles for getting Results, Respect, and great Relationships using REAL conversation." -- Brent D. Peterson, PhD, coauthor of Fake Work

A newly single billionaire entangled with a problematic ex-girlfriend. It was a nightmare convincing her that he had moved on. In the midst of calling off their wedding, he concocted a scheme to rid himself of her for good by involving a charming yet inexperienced wedding planner. Samantha, the unsuspecting wedding planner, became the linchpin in Connor’s plan as he proposed a fake engagement that she couldn't turn down. The offer came with a promise of funding for her dream business. Despite her initial hesitation, she eventually agreed to play along. He should’ve known then that the attraction he felt would only grow when they were forced to kiss and hold hands in front of others. Although he vowed not to act on his growing attraction towards her, he couldn't resist Samantha's infectious smile and alluring curves. In public, he portrayed the devoted fiancé flawlessly. However, their pretend relationship took an unforeseen turn as their chemistry intensified, blurring the boundaries between reality and pretense. As they continued their charade of being madly in love, he suggested exploring a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Their staged affection led to passionate kisses and a night of undeniable desire. With each forbidden moment they shared, their connection deepened beyond what they had anticipated. Amidst the facade they maintained, genuine feelings blossomed between them, defying the constraints of their fake engagement. Would they be able to navigate the challenges that arose from pretending to be in love? Or would their intense but counterfeit romance shatter their hearts and jeopardize any chance at a true happily ever after? From Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Wood comes a new billionaire best friend’s little sister romance. Fans of King of Wrath by Ana Huang, The Fine Print by Lauren Asher, and My Dark Romeo by Parker S. Huntington and LJ Shen will love this book. keywords: wealthy, lavish, billionaire, empire, obscenely good looks, jealous, kiss, ruthless pursuit, good girl, mine, I’m falling for her, night of passion, rich, sexy, off limits, forbidden, fake fiancé, just pretending, acting like we're in love

For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes the third book in this laugh-out-loud series about a class clown faking his way through middle school from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and cartoonist Keith Knight. Life couldn't be better for Jake. He's a student at Music and Arts Academy and a budding comedian, and he finally put an end to his fake-ster ways . . . or so he thought. There's a new girl at school, and Jake would do anything to impress her, even pretending to be a master chef. And a world-renowned barber? But at home, Jake is less impressed with his mom's news: she's pregnant. Now Jake has to fake being happy about becoming the Middle Child. The King of Cool is about to drop his chill. Luckily, he has good friends and laughs on his side, along with more than two hundred illustrations--all about him!

Shoot straight from the hip. Tell it like it is. Keep it real. We love these commands, especially in America, because they appeal to what we want to believe: that there's an authentic self to which we can be true. But while we mock Tricky Dick and Slick Willie, we're inventing identities on Facebook, paying thousands for plastic surgeries, and tuning in to news that simply verifies our opinions. Reality bites, after all, and becoming disillusioned is a downer. In his new book Keep It Fake: Inventing an Authentic Life, Eric G. Wilson investigates this phenomenon. Hedraws on neuroscience, psychology, sociology, philosophy, art, film, literature, and his own life to explore the possibility that there's no such thing as unwavering reality. Whether our left brains are shaping the raw data of our right into fabulous stories or we're so saturated by society's conventions that we're always acting out prefab scripts, we can't help but be phony. But is that really so bad? We're used to being scolded for being fake, but Wilson doesn't scold--because he doesn't think we need to be reprimanded. Our ability to remake ourselves into the people we want to be, or at least remake ourselves to look like the people we want to be, is in fact a magical process that can be liberating in its own way. Because if we're all a bunch of fakes, shouldn't we embrace that? And if everything really is fake, then doesn't the fake become real--really? In lively prose--honest, provocative, witty, wide-ranging (as likely to riff on Bill Murray as to contemplate Plato)--Keep It Fake answers these questions, uncovering bracing truths about what it means to be human and helping us turn our necessary lying into artful living.