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
LGBT 1. “Genderqueer: Voices from Beyond the Gender Binary,” edited by Joan Nestle, Clare Howell and Riki Wilchins (Alyson, 320 pp., $16.95 pb). In this groundbreaking anthology, three experts in gender studies and politics navigate around rigid, societally imposed concepts of two genders to discover and illuminate the limitless possibilities of identity. 2. “As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same Gender Marriage,” by Chris Glaser (Seabury, 150 pp., $20 pb). Ever wonder why marriage for same-gender couples generates such passion? 3. “Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnership & Civil Unions,” by Fredrick Hertz (NOLO, 269 pp., $29.99 pb). The ultimate guide to the past, present and future of same-sex relationship laws in the U.S. 4. “Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws,” by Kate Bornstein (Seven Stories Press, 231 pp., $16.95 pb). Here, Bornstein bravely and wittily shares personal and unorthodox methods of survival for navigating an often-cruel world. A one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive outside the box, “Hello, Cruel World” is a much-needed unconventional approach to teen-suicide prevention for marginalized youth who want to stay on the edge, but alive.
GAY 1. “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 that place P.I. Marco Fontana on a collision course with the church and local community. 2. “Single Man,” by Christopher Isherwood (U of Minnesota Press, 186 pp., $15.95 pb). George, the protagonist, is adjusting to life on his own after the sudden death of his partner. 3. “Silver Lake,” by Peter Gadol (Tyrus Books, 290 pp., $14.95 pb). “Silver Lake is compulsively readable, a novel that combines all the suspense of a psychological thriller with beautifully observed details of contemporary domestic life in Los Angeles. This is a haunting book full of both beauty and dread.” 4. “Love Means No Shame,” by Andrew Grey (Dreamspinner Press, 234 pp., $14.99 pb) Geoff is in the city, living the gay life to the hilt, when his father’s death convinces him to return to the family farm. 5. “From Top to Bottom,” by Michael-Christopher (MC Books, 212 pp., $15.95 pb). After two years of being a content bottom, Virgil Peterson receives an indecent proposal to rise to the top of the occasion while out of town and away from his lover, Rodney Franklin — a total top. 6. “Forgetting Elena,” by Edmund White (Vintage Books USA, 192 pp., $15 pb). Combining glittering wit, an atmosphere dense in social paranoia and a breathtaking elegance and precision of language, White’s first novel suggests a hilarious apotheosis of the comedy of manners. 7. “Hero,” by Perry Moore (Hyperion, 428 pp., $8.99 pb). The executive producer of Disney and Walden Media’s film adaptation of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” tells an unforgettable story about the coming of age of a young superhero in a groundbreaking novel of love, loss and redemption. 8. “Blind Fall,” by Christopher Rice (Pocket Books, 302 pp., $15 pb). New York Times bestselling author Rice delivers the gripping story of an Iraqi War vet seeking redemption and revenge when one of his fellow Marines is brutally murdered. 9. “Jane Bites Back,” by Michael Thomas Ford (Ballantine Books, 229 pp., $14 pb). Two-hundred years after her death, Jane Austen is still surrounded by the literature she loves — but now it’s because she’s the owner of Flyleaf Books in a sleepy college town in upstate New York. 10. “Pride/Prejudice: A Novel of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and Their Forbidden Lovers,” edited by Ann Herendeen (Harper, 432 pp., $14.99 pb). “Pride/Prejudice” brings to light all the buried secrets, potential scandals and unspoken, forbidden loves of Austen’s novel.
LESBIAN 1. “Purple Panties,” by Zane (Strebor Books, 306 pp., $15 pb). Written by women from all over the world, here is a new level of lesbian erotica, compiled by Zane, that promises the most exciting and steamy reading experience possible. 2. “Mean Little Deaf Queer,” by Terry Galloway (Beacon Press, 230 pp., $23.95 hb). With disarming candor, Galloway writes about her mental breakdowns, her queer identity and her life in a silent, quirky world populated by unforgettable characters. 3. “Essential Dykes to Watch Out For,” by Alison Bechdel (HMH, 392 pp., $25 hb). For 25 years, Bechdel’s pioneering “Dykes to Watch Out For” comic strip has been collected in award-winning volumes. Now, at last, “The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For” gathers a “rich, funny, deep and impossible to put down” selection from all 11 Dykes volumes (Publishers Weekly). 4. “Tipping the Velvet,” by Sarah Waters (Riverhead, 480 pp., $16 pb). Chronicles the adventures of Nan King, a small-town girl at the turn of the last century whose life takes a wild turn when she follows a local music-hall star to London. 5. “Frida’s Bed,” by Slavenka Drakulic, (Penguin, 162 pp, $13 pb). This beautifully imagined story of the last days of Frida Kahlo’s life explores the inner existence of one of the world’s most influential female artists. 6. “Hunter’s Pursuit,” by Kim Baldwin (Bold Strokes, 320 pp., $15 pb). A professional killer wants out of the business, but her former mentor wants her dead — and has paid colleagues handsomely to make it happen. It’s winter in the remote wilderness of Michigan and the chase is on. 7. “Storms of Change,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 288 pp., $15.95 pb). In the continuing saga of the Provincetown Tales, Reese Conlon’s obligations to family and country are put to the test as war engulfs the Middle East, while her partner Tory King must come to terms with the true price of love. 8. “Fever,” by VK Powell (Bold Strokes, 256 pp., $16.95 pb). Hired gun Zak Chambers expects to provide a simple escort service to philanthropist Sara Ambrosini, but nothing is as simple as it seems, especially love. 9. “Black, White and Jewish,” by Rebecca Walker (Riverhead, 322 pp., $15 pb). An autobiography of a lonely only child ferrying between two worlds and trying to figure out where she fit in. 10. “Justice for All,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 309 pp., $16.95 pb). As part of an operation to expose organized crime, Dellon Mitchell goes undercover with a young woman posing as her lover. Before long, she and her team, and those they love, unwittingly become targets.
DVDs
LESBIAN 1. “The L Word 6, Final Season” directed by Angela Robinson (2008, 438 min., $49.95 DVD). It’s the final season of the show that won our hearts and got us talking, for its unwavering dedication to portraying sexy lesbian characters in a steady stream of increasingly hot and wild story lines. 2. “Crash Pad 3: Through the Keyhole,” directed by Shine Louise Houston (2008, 100 min., $34.95 DVD). Queer porn made by queers. In this series, gender roles blur and shift and defy easy categorization, but the sex is always relentlessly hot. 3. “Floored by Love,” directed by Desiree Lim (2006, 50 min., $19.95 DVD). With its heartwarming portrayal of two very different Vancouver households — a Chinese-Japanese lesbian couple and an African-American/Jewish blended family — this wonderful family comedy is all about finding the courage to be who you really are. 4. “Claire of the Moon,” directed by Nicole Conn (1992, 102 min., $19.95 DVD). Set in the lush Pacific Northwest, this tells a timeless story of a woman’s struggle as she awakens to new possibilities for love and intimacy. 5. “Gia,” directed by Michael Cristofer (1998, 126 min., $5.95! DVD). Angelina Jolie gives a stunning performance as real-life lesbian supermodel Gia, who lived the wild life of the New York fashion scene in the ’70s.
GAY 1. “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2008, 101 min., $24.95 DVD). Noah’s Arc is back, and you’re invited to the big wedding! 2. “Finding Me,” directed by Roger S. Omeus Jr. (2008, 115 min., $19.95 DVD). A young gay black man’s journey of self-discovery, affirmation and love. 3. “Latter Days,” directed by C. Jay Cox (2004, 107 min., $19.99 DVD). A West Hollywood party boy gets more than he bargains for when he tries to seduce a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into his apartment complex. 4. “Gods of Football: The Making of the 2009 Calendar,” directed by Grant Carroll (2009, 80 min., $24.95 DVD). Australia’s hottest footballers (rugby players) get naked for a cause! Built! Hot! Sexy! And baring it all for breast-cancer research! 5. “Mr. Right,” directed by Jacqueline and David Morris (2009, 95 min., $24.95 DVD). Charmingly British and exceptionally well-produced, this is a fast-paced, colorful and exuberantly gay romantic-comedy that tells the intertwined tales of a group of successful gay men in London navigating careers, aspirations, love and even parenthood.