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.
DVDs
Women’s 1. “Hannah Free,” directed by Wendy Jo Carlton (2010, 86 min., $24.95). A feature film about the lifelong love affair between an independent spirit and the woman she calls home. Weaving between past and present, the story reveals how the women maintain their love affair despite a marriage, a world war, infidelity and family denial. Our No. 1 best-seller since its release three months ago. 2. “But I’m a Cheerleader,” directed by Jamie Babbit (1999, 90 min., $19.95). She’s popular, pretty, dates the captain of the football team and she’s a cheerleader. To Megan’s surprise, one day her family and friends confront her with evidence that she is gay. Then she meets Mink Stole and RuPaul. 3. “The Lovers & Friends Show, Seasons 1 & 2,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2009, each season $19.95). These thrilling and sexy women are always in trouble. 4. “We Have to Stop Now, Season 1,” directed by Robyn Dettman (2009, 73 min., $19.95). Lesbian therapists Kit and Dyna have it all: They’re a power couple, they each have a thriving practice and they’ve published a best-selling book called “How to Succeed in Marriage Without Even Trying.” But … 5. “Tru Loved,” directed by Stewart Wade (2008, 90 min., $24.98). Like all teens, Tru struggles to fit in. But when her lesbian moms decide to move the family to a conservative suburban town, Tru’s life becomes complicated by sexual politics, closed minds and closeted friends.
Men’s 1. “Rag Tag,” directed by Adaora Nwandu (2009, 98 min., $29.95). A moving story of two childhood friends who, when they meet again as adults, realize that they feel more than friendship for each other. But many obstacles challenge their love. 2. “Sordid Lives, the TV Series,” directed by Del Shores (2009, 366 min., $35). TV series based on the characters in the movie of the same name. A black comedy about white trash. 3. “Out in the Silence,” directed by Dean Hammer (2009, $24.99). A documentary chronicling the aftermath of a same-sex wedding announcement in the local newspaper of a conservative rural community. 4. “Just Say Love,” directed by Bill Humphreys (2009, 75 min., $19.95). When Guy becomes involved with Doug, a construction worker, he believes he has found “the one.” But … 5. “The History Boys,” directed by Nicholas Hytner (2006, 112 min., $9.85!). The price accounts for this splendid drama reappearing on our best-seller list.
Books
Men’s Interest 1. “Crossing the Line,” by Lynn H. Miller (AuthorHouse, 352 pp., $17.99 pb). A contemporary Philadelphia gay man’s family life is paralleled by the lives of his relatives 150 years before. 2. “Probation,” by Tom Mendicino (Kensington Press, 304 pp., $15 pb). Mendicino explores how a closeted gay man’s decision to marry impacts his life and the people he loves, and what happens when the lies unravel. 3. “Spore,” by Thom Nickels (STARbooks, 238 pp., $16.95 pb). In this Philadelphia tale touched with a little magic realism, a spore causes diseases in people repressing their gay and bi tendencies. 4. “In My Father’s House,” by E. Lynn Harris (St. Martin’s, 304 pp., $24.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Before he died last year, Harris wrote this bang-up first installment to a projected series about a bisexual owner of a Miami modeling agency. 5. “Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute to E. Lynn Harris,” by Terrance Dean, Stanley Bennett Clay and James Earl Hardy (Kensington, 342 pp., $15 pb). In a powerful tribute to best-selling author and literary icon E. Lynn Harris, these best-selling authors and friends honor him with sexy, original work. 6. “What We Remember,” by Michael Thomas Ford (Kensington, 362 pp., $15 new in pb). Award-winning author Ford returns with his most ambitious novel to date, in which a father’s disappearance has a profound effect on his three children and causes secrets and lies to be exposed. 7. “Murder On Camac,” by Joseph DeMarco (Lethe, 396 pp., $18 pb). This is the anniversary of this Philadelphia mystery’s appearing on our best-seller list.
Women’s Interest 1. “All About Love: New Visions,” by bell hook (Harper, 272 pp., $13 pb). From one of America’s most revered thinkers, this book offers radical new ways to think about love, and examines the relationship between love and sexuality and the connections between the public and the private. 2. “Trauma Alert,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 312 pp., $16.95 pb). Dr. Ali Torveau knows just how fragile life can be — she sees death and tragedy every day in the trauma unit. Battling the dark forces of fate is her life’s work and she doesn’t want or need anything else, certainly nothing as transient as love. 3. “Sea of Grass,” Kate Sweeney (Intaglio, 230 pp., $16.95 pb). Set in the foothills of the Bitterroots, Tess and Claire find themselves in the fight of their lives — for love and the sea of grass. 4. “1049 Club,” by Kim Pritekel (P.D. Publishing, 324 pp., $21.99 pb). Flight 1049 from New York to Milan experiences mechanical and guidance failure, and goes down in the Atlantic. Six passengers survive and find themselves on an uncharted island. 5. “I Told You So,” by Kate Clinton (Beacon, 189 pp., $15 new in pb). A hilarious, bittersweet, politically acute survival guide in which Clinton gleefully details personal coping techniques tested over a lifetime. 6. “The Big Bang Symphony: A Novel of Antarctica,” by Lucy Jane Bledsoe (U. of Wisc., 333 pp., $24.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). As three women become increasingly involved in each other’s lives, they find themselves deeply transformed by their time on the Ice. Each falls in love. Each faces challenges she never thought she would meet. And, ultimately, each finds redemption in a depth and quality of friendship that only the harsh beauty of Antarctica can engender. 7. “Diana Comet and Other Improbable Stories,” by Sandra McDonald (Lethe, 284 pp., $15 pb).