These signify a place's authenticity, in contrast to the bland standardization of the suburbs and exurbs. But as Sharon Zukin shows in Naked City, the rapid and pervasive demand for authenticity -- evident in escalating real estate prices, expensive stores, and closely monitored urban streetscapes -- has helped drive out the very people who first lent a neighborhood its authentic aura: immigrants, the working class, and artists. Zukin traces this economic and social evolution in six archetypal New York areas -- Williamsburg, Harlem, the East Village, Union Square, Red Hook, and the city's community gardens -- and travels to both the city's first IKEA store and the World Trade Center site. She shows that for followers of Jane Jacobs, this transformation is a perversion of what was supposed to happen. Indeed, Naked City is a sobering update of Jacobs' legendary 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Like Jacobs, Zukin looks at what gives neighborhoods a sense of place, but argues that over time, the emphasis on neighborhood distinctiveness has become a tool of economic elites to drive up real estate values and effectively force out the neighborhood "characters" that Jacobs so evocatively idealized. "This is scholarship with its boots on the ground, challenging us to look at the familiar in a new light." --The Boston Globe "A highly readable narrative...a revelation, no matter where you live." --The Austin Chronicle "Provocative." --San Francisco Chronicle

    In Vertical, Stephen Graham rewrites the city at every level: how the geography of inequality, politics, and identity is determined in terms of above and below. Starting at the edge of earth's atmosphere and, in a series of riveting studies, descending through each layer, Graham explores the world of drones, the city from the viewpoint of an aerial bomber, the design of sidewalks and the hidden depths of underground bunkers. He asks: why was Dubai built to be seen from Google Earth? How do the super-rich in Sao Paulo live in their penthouses far above the street? Why do London billionaires build vast subterranean basements? And how do the technology of elevators and subversive urban explorers shape life on the surface and subsurface of the earth? Vertical will make you look at the world around you anew: this is a revolution in understanding your place in the world.

    Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Kaotic decides that he's going to "fix" Serenity but unbeknownst to him, he causes more damage than he does good.At her all time low, Serenity is forced to carry a child that she fear will end up like her. Hitting rock bottom, Serenity puts everyone and everything she loves in jeopardy. Although, Kaotic is doing everything in his power to deliver her, Serenity finds herself at the point of no return.The very thing you love can be the very thing that kills you... Kaotic understands this first hand as he find himself doing things out of the norm for Serenity putting himself at risk.The cosmic pull is not in Kaotic and Serenity's favor as they find themselves in a toxic situation with no way out...except apart.

    Sometimes it just happens. Blaze should know. Her life takes a turn for the best when she bumps into infamous Mehkai aka 'Kai Money'. Street savvy, persistent and down right gorgeous; he's the best thing she never knew she needed. They soon form an unbreakable bond and a genuine friendship that only they can understand. Love, however, is truly unpredictable, and though Kai has his eye on the prize, they do roam from time to time. Kenya is Blaze's wild, fiery, outspoken, and carefree bestie. Being in love with a man that she knows isn't in love with her is a hard pill to swallow. When she finally breaks free, it seems as though her world is falling apart. But leave it up to the flashy, ruthless Cole Campbell to pick up the pieces. Love is definitely in the air, but with Kenya's hot temper and Cole's zero tolerance attitude, they bump heads almost immediately. Sometimes it's not about what the mind wants, but more so what the heart needs. In a battle with their inner beings and their biggest fears, follow these couples in a heartwarming tale of love and war.

    You gotta throw a lil something out there for it to come back." From Memphis to Atlanta, Kema goes from country to lavish living. She's grimy and down right gritty, born with no filter. Every since the age of fifteen, she has held her own. Everyday of her life is a drama filled episode. Dimples is a beautiful down to earth girl that's trying to live comfortable. Stripping is getting is getting old to her but that's all she knows. Now that her baby daddy is out of jail things are looking up so she thinks. Shy and passive Tiana wants nothing more than to keep her grades up and finish school. Things take a drastic turn when she finds out that the person that she thought that she knew was her worst enemy.

    

    

    Having two of the most important people in his life fighting for theirs, it begins to turn his heart cold. Not knowing which way to turn, he starts his man hunt for the ones responsible for hurting them. When things take an unexpected turn, O’Hajee may just have to sacrifice everything in the name of family and love but a few bumps in the road put his trail on ice, can he manage to find some level of normalcy? Or will he be lost to the streets for good? Siya’s on the run of her life, after not only crossing Myeke but Deuce as well. Proving the saying ‘money is the root of all evil’ true, she flees New York and takes refuge else where. But when she begins to realize the error of her ways, she will go back to fix the damage she’s caused at any cost. Even if she has to pay with her life. In this next installment, the crew is in for the ride of their lives as family ties are tested. Promises are broken and new dangers lurk around every corner. Can they withstand the storm that’s beating down their doors? Or will they fold under the pressure?

    We always wondered what their kids would be like when they grew up. Well, the wait is over, and these two are ready to tell their story. Zayna “Spark” Hoover is used to the fast and crazy life. Acting just like her father, Blaze, she is used to being the center of attention. However, going to college was the total opposite for her. Struggling to find her place and fit in a circle of people who judged her for who she was, being away from her family was beginning to take a toll on her until she met Lil Darryl. Darryl “Phantom” Reed, Jr has always followed in his father’s footsteps. Growing up over the years, nothing had changed. Expecting to take over the streets as his dad once did, he was surprised when his father sent him off to college. Having no regard for anything, he continued to live his life as he wanted until he met Spark. Neither had ever met anyone as crazy as them, and they hit it off right away. However, as the old saying goes, your past has a way of catching up with you. Unbeknownst to the two, the sins of their parents would come back and tear their worlds apart. The two deadliest men to ever play the game will have to come together and save their children. If they don’t kill each other first...

    Charm has to try to balance school, Lucci’s drama and being pregnant. Lucci is battling with his career, his relationship and being a father. Charm and Lucci seem to think that their relationship is perfect until they both are exposed in the worst way. Will they be strong enough to endure the humility? Or will they both give up and exit stage left? Tammy thought that her mother issues were over but they were just getting started. When she finds out some truth to her mother’s demise, she is overwhelmed with emotions. Will it cause her to be stronger or will she self-destruct from the news. Her relationship with Diesel is the only thing keeping her together. But will she get her happily ever after with him or will he turn out to be just like all the others. Love is such a powerful word but the actually feeling can make or break you. Will these couples be able to withstand the test of love? Or will they decide that all the drama and emotions aren’t worth the fight. In the end can love win over hip-hop? Find out in the finale.

    A successful business, wealth, and a beautiful baby girl. The only area in her life that she seemed to be lacking in was romance. Although she and Mendesses—her drag racing baby father—does a great job co-parenting they didn’t work well as a couple. Instead of focusing on love, she hustles and put all of her energy into taking care of her daughter and building her business. That is, until the charming and extremely handsome Lamont Morehouse sweeps her off her feet. Lamont grew up on the mean streets of Detroit, but because his parents saw so much potential in him, they relocated to Atlanta Georgia before he could get himself into something he couldn’t get out of. Luckily, getting Lamont out of the hood took him down another path in life. Ultimately, though, Lamont ends up right back in Detroit, but this time, instead of breaking the law, he’s enforcing it as an undercover cop. Mendesses has been running the game in underground racing for years. As the undisputed champ, quitting is the furthest thing from his mind. He’s determined to keep his championship status despite a few things lurking, threatening to compromise his livelihood. Karisma is just as beautiful and ambitious as her best friend. Tahiry, Like Tahiry, Karisma is single, but she’s ready to mingle. She has her eye on the young, money getting street racer, James but unlike most, she’s a little soft spoken about it. Luckily for Karisma, fate pushes the two together eventually. But old habits die hard and Danielle is definitely James old habit. Collins, Karisma's out of town cousin, is fresh out of a relationship and isn’t interested in starting anything new, anytime soon. She relocated to Michigan, in search of a fresh start, definitely not a new love. But when she meets the intriguing, and slick talking Mendesses, everything changes. Despite her greatest efforts, Collins ends up falling hard for him. What started out as a good year for this group of friends drastically takes a turn for the worst when a snake infiltrates the crew. Brace yourself as Londyn Lenz takes you on yet another wild journey laced with drama, deceit, lies and bloodshed.

    Now at the age of 25, she has done just that. Big house, dream job, and even engaged to her college boyfriend. She has it all, but she is consistently left wondering, am I really happy? Is my life complete? After getting into it with her fiancé Troy, about the one thing she desires so desperately, she decides that it is time to let her hair down and escape reality for a while. But what she isn’t prepared for is the person she finds herself bumping into. Sawyer McKnight, the neighborhood’s bad boy, is now the hood’s hottest rapper. He went from the slums to the mansion but still, he is missing someone to share it with. In this love tale, you have two people from the same background but different walks of life. Can the two be what the other truly needs or will they just settle for what they’re already used to?

    Having found out that those closest to her have been lying to her she doesn't know who to trust anymore. Instead she finds comfort in an old flame. Lux has secrets of his own that's he's trying to hide. Knowing that his biggest secret could really be the end of him and the love of his life he does anything in his power to keep it from her. In between keeping his secret and fighting for his relationship he finds that Kylei has her own form of deception up her sleeve in the form of Jace Sinclair. Will Kylei and Lux's love for one another be enough to keep their relationship on track or will secrets and lies between the two finally end them for good?

    After the unexpected death of their mother, three young sisters -- Draya, Yandy and Charlie, are faced with some serious challenges. With inheriting their mother's debts and no clear direction as to what the future will bring, the sisters are forced to come up with clever ways to keep their heads above water. Realizing the power and sway they can hold over a man's heart and pockets, the girls set out to become FINESSE QUEENS.Read this breakout urban romance drama by best selling author Quan Millz. You won't be disappointed.

    While similarities aren't considered weaknesses, it's the sole possessions of one human than attracts them to another... that one thing that someone their opposite can find inside of their core, but not within themselves. It's what attaches them, intrigues them as a flame does a moth. It's the bridge that gaps them together in a manner that other's may be ignorant to, while the details are in plain sight for the two basking in the afterglow. Ripleigh, a young single mother, has been beat down by the biggest villain of all. Life has gutted her of her most valuable vessel, the heart. After suffering through the death of her counterpart, and daughter's father, she's left with merely a shell to call home for the rest of the organs that are keeping her amongst the living. Ripleigh packed her things and moved down south for a more modest living and to place the pain of loss as many miles behind her as she could. While life seemed to be plentiful closer to the boarder, Ripleigh's funds were diminishing. Quick on her feet, she reduced her pride and laced up her highest heels to tread the stage of ILLUSION, the most sought out dwelling for upscale nightlife. Semaaj, prominent medical provider and face of Northcross Pediatric Care, stumbles into a dimly lit atmosphere full of hookah smoke, chest rocking base, and clad women with insane skills and enough strength to help him lay the final bricks to his newly purchased children's clinic. Though he feels as if he's worlds away from his comfort zone, he feels a familiar tugging of his heartstrings after setting his eyes on the talented Blyss. Semaaj, later, finds himself frequenting the underworld at an alarming rate, and the staff soon knows him by name. His request is simple, Blyss. Two strangers, two completely different worlds, two bizarre parties discover that there is likeness even in their oppositions. While Ripleigh decides to run, Semaaj exchanges his stethoscope and lab coat for joggers and tennis shoes. He accepts the challenge of digging up Ripleigh's, as known as Blyss, heart -the vessel that had been buried along with her previous lover. Bruised, cut, leaking, and dysfunctional as it may come packaged, he cares nothing for it's appearance. The purity of it's inside is what he's most desirable of.