Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960; www.giovannisroom.com. Ten-percent off most hardcover in-store sales.
Books
LESBIAN INTEREST 1. “The Other Side of Paradise: A Memoir,” by Staceyann Chin (Scribner, $24 hb). A brave and fiercely candid memoir about growing up in Jamaica by performer, activist and writer Chin. 2. “Annie on My Mind,” by Nancy Garden (Farrar Straus Giroux, 263 pp., $8 pb). This groundbreaking book, first published in 1982, is the story of two teenage girls whose friendship blossoms into love and who, despite pressures from family and school that threaten their relationship, promise to be true to each other and their feelings. 3. “Breaking the Ice,” by Kim Baldwin (Bold Strokes Press, 243 pp., $16.95 pb). Bryson Faulkner embraces the challenge of living in the far north of Alaska. The only thing she misses is having a special woman in her life. Karla Edwards seeks answers and adventure. The two find all that and more when they meet each other during Karla’s trip to Alaska. 4. “The Sealed Letter,” by Emma Donoghue (Mariner Books, 396 pp., $14.95 pb). Based on a scandalous divorce case that gripped England in 1864, “The Sealed Letter” is a riveting, provocative drama of friends, lovers and divorce, Victorian-style. 5. “On Dangerous Ground,” by D.L. Line (Bold Strokes Press, 320 pp., $16.95 pb). FBI agent Terri McKinnon always knows the right thing to do — until she meets Dr. Jennifer Rosenberg. Terri is drawn to the unconventional Rosenberg and the attraction appears mutual, but the rules are clear — this woman is off-limits. Will McKinnon find herself on dangerous ground? 6. “Point of Ignition,” by Erin Dutton (Bold Strokes Press, $16.95 pb). Arson investigation is not exactly what firefighter Kate Chambers signed up for. But she doesn’t have a choice when an injury forces her off the engine and into the office. Her first case, a fire at a downtown bar, is a clear-cut instance of insurance fraud, or so she thinks. 7. “Hungry For It,” by Fiona Zedde (Kensington, 300 pp., $15 pb). Zedde takes readers on a sensual journey through the heady nightlife of Miami in this scorchingly sexy novel. 8. “Deepest Desire,” by Anne Shade (Freedom of Love Press, $11.95 pb). The last thing Lynette Folsom is looking for is love, especially with a closeted female. Then she meets Eve Monroe, whose refreshing honesty and natural sexiness has her wondering if love behind closed doors really can work. 9. “Survive the Dawn,” by Kate Sweeney (Intaglio Publications, 243 pp., $16.95 pb). With the serum now in her bloodstream, Dr. Alex Taylor must find a suitable laboratory to continue her work to help the woman — well, vampire — she loves, Sebastian. Alex becomes a reluctant comrade to this sexy vampire, and together they find a way for Sebastian and her world to survive the dawn.
GAY INTEREST 1. “Alphabetical List of Would Be Princes,” by Fred Shelley (Lulu, 201 pp., $16 pb). An inventive tale about wanting to hold on and learning to let go, looking for love and allowing love to find you, figuring out the rules and knowing when to break them. 2. “Murder On Camac,” by Joseph DeMarco (Lethe, 396 pp., $18 pb). Gunned down in the street, author Helmut Brandt’s life ebbs away and puts a chain of events in motion, placing P.I. Marco Fontana on a collision course with the church and local community. 3. “A Boy Less Ordinary: The Hayden Chronicles,” by Fred Shelley (Fred Shelley, 278 pp., $15 pb). The book is based on freelance columns — titled “Six Degrees of Hayden Shelley” — that Shelley has written for various publications on the East Coast. The column, which debuted in 1999 in The Virginia Gayzette, recounts the trials and misadventures of Hayden, a young gay man. 4. “Dreamboy: My Life as a QVC Host and Other Greatest Hits,” by Dale Guy Madison (Damn Good Man Productions, 327 pp., $19.95 hb). The vintage “album” of Madison’s life is set against the tunes of The Supremes and filled with lessons on love, self-determination and surviving the trenches of the entertainment industry. 5. “Mama Dearest,” by E. Lynn Harris (Karen Hunter, 400 pp., $25.99 hb). Taking readers on a wild, passion-filled tour of the entertainment world, the late Harris delivers sensual thrills and electric plot twists — with one unforgettable woman of radiant star power, sexual magnetism and unapologetic ambition at the heart of the action. 6. “Dancer From the Dance,” by Andrew Holleran (Harper Perennial, 256 pp., $13 pb). The classic novel of 1970s New York City. 7. “Blind Fall,” by Christopher Rice (Pocket Books, 302 pp., $15 pb). New York Times best-selling author Rice delivers the gripping story of an Iraqi War vet seeking redemption and revenge when a fellow Marine is murdered. 8. “Born Round,” by Frank Bruni (Penguin Press, 368 pp., $25.95 hb). The New York Times restaurant critic’s heartbreaking and hilarious account of how he learned to love food just enough after decades of struggling with his outsize appetite. 9. “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed” by Judy Shepard (Hudson Street Press, 273 pp., $25.95 hb). Matthew Shepard’s mother shares the story of her son’s death and the choice she made to become an international gay-rights activist.
DVDs
GAY MEN 1. “Gods of Football: The Making of the 2009 Calendar,” directed by Grant Carroll (2009, 80 min., $24.95). Australia’s hottest footballers (rugby players) naked for a cause! 2. “Newcastle,” directed by Dan Castle (2008, 107 min., $24.95). A coming-of-age tale combining gorgeous Australian surfing beaches with the energy, music and rebellion of teen culture. 3. “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2008, 101 min., $24.95). “Noah’s Arc” is back, and you’re invited to the big wedding! 4. “Milk,” directed by Gus Van Sant (2008, 121 min., $19.95). A riveting biopic about slain gay-rights activist Harvey Milk. 5. “Polymath,” directed by Fred Taylor (2009, 75 min., $29.99). A documentary on the life, musings and sexual escapades of local writer Samuel Delany. 6. “Shelter,” directed by Jonah Markowitz (2007, 88 min., $24.95). When Zach, an aspiring artist fresh out of high school, is forced to skip out on college and forsake his dreams, surfing becomes his only solace. 7. “Paris Is Burning,” directed by Jennie Livingston (DVD release 2005, 71 min., $29.95). Filmmaker Jennie Livingston shows New York clubs where gay men enter “voguing” contests. 8. “The DL Chronicles,” directed by Quincy Leanear and Deondray Gossett (2007, 132 min., $24.95). Tells the stories of men of color who, by consequence and by choice, live sexually duplicitous and secret lifestyles.
LESBIAN 1. “She Likes Girls 4: 8 Great Lesbian Short Films,” by various directors (2008, 98 min., $24.95). Tomboys and tough girls abound. 2. “Lesbian Sex & Sexuality,” directed by Katherine Linton (2007, 158 min., $29.95). Takes viewers on an uncharted and provocative journey where lesbian sexuality and desire isn’t whispered, but celebrated. 3. “The Gymnast,” directed by Ned Farr (2006, 98 min., $24.95). Winner of 28 awards, this is a visually stunning film about hope, second chances and finding the courage to defy gravity. 4. “Steam,” directed by Kyle Schickner (2009, 120 min, $24.95). This new drama unfolds the story of three amazing and very different women whose paths cross in a steam room. 5. “Stranger Inside,” directed by Cheryl Dunye (2001, 96 min., $9.95). Dunye is the author and director of “Watermelon Woman.” 6. “The Guitar,” directed by Amy Redford (2008, 93 min., $26.95). A captivating portrait of a woman’s self-empowerment (including a tryst with the pizza-delivery girl). 7. “Drifting Flowers,” directed by Zero Chou (2008, 99 min., $24.95). Chou weaves three poetic tales as the lesbians in “Drifting Flowers” seek their true identity. 8. “Chained Girls and Daughters of Lesbos,” directed by Joseph P. Mawra (1965, 61 min., $9.95 DVD). An outrageous exposé of the lesbian and gay scene of the 1960s.