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 Interest 1. “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 a best-selling book. 2. “Hannah Free,” directed by Wendy Jo Carlton (2010, 86 min., $24.95). A lifelong love affair between an independent spirit and the woman she calls home. 3. “And Then Came Lola,” directed by Ellen Seidler and Megan Siler (2009, 70 min., $24.95). This wonderfully fun and sexy lesbian romp takes a tour through the streets of San Francisco. 4. “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. 5. “I Can’t Think Straight,” directed by Shamin Sarif (2008, 80 min., $24.95). Two women fall in love on the eve of one woman’s wedding. 6. “Water Lilies,” directed by Celine Sciamma (2007, 86 min., $24.95). During a summer in Paris, a love triangle develops among three girls in this provocative and perceptive portrait of teen angst and nascent sexuality. 7. “Lesbian Sex and Sexuality,” directed by Katherine Linton (2007, 158 min., $29.95). A provocative journey into the subject of lesbian sexuality, where desire isn’t whispered but celebrated. 8. “Some Prefer Cake,” directed by Heidi Arnesen (1997, 95 min., $19.95). This fast-paced San Francisco comedy follows best friends Kira and Sydney along intertwining paths of sex, food and relationships. 9. “Maggie and Annie,” directed by Kimberly K. Wilson (2004, 120 min., $19.95). Annie has a wonderful husband and a darling little girl — everything she’s ever wanted in life. At least, that’s what she thinks until she meets … Gay Men’s Interest 1. “A Single Man,” directed by Tom Ford (2009, 99 min., $27.95). Based on the 1964 Christopher Isherwood novel, a true modern gay classic. 2. “Boy,” directed by Auraeus Solito (2009, 80 min., $19.95). A delightful, sexy, romantic coming-of-age story about a young poet in Manila. English subtitles. 3. “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. 4. “Sordid Lives: The TV Series,” directed by Del Shores (2009, 366 min., $35). The series based on the characters in the movie of the same name. Texas backwoods characters, with Leslie Jordan. 5. “Moreno,” directed by Chrisaldo Pablo (2007, 81 min., $29.95). Pablo takes us on an exploration of the world of infidelity in the gay community in his latest feature film. English subtitles. 6. “Men for Sale,” directed by Rodrigue Jean (2009, $24.99). Eleven sex-trade workers in Montréal over the course of a year recount their struggles to survive alcohol and drug-related addictions, abuse and stigmatization — and their troubled pasts. 7. “College Boys Live,” directed by George O’Donnell (2009, 94 min., $29.95). The lives of three young men in a voyeur webcam house rigged with 32 cameras, where their every move is watched by thousands of paying members. 8. “The Big Gay Musical,” directed by Casper Andreas (2009, 97 min., $24.95). Paul and Eddie have just begun previews for the new off-Broadway musical “Adam and Steve Just the Way God Made ‘Em.” 9. “Watercolors,” directed by David Oliveras (2009, 114 min., $24.95). When Danny arrives at the opening of his first exhibition, his erotic paintings trigger memories of his first love, Carter, a troubled athlete. 10. “House of Usher,” directed by David DeCocteau (2008, 83 min., $19.95). An erotic twist on Edgar Allen Poe’s masterpiece.
Trans Interest 1. “Myth of Father,” directed by Paul Hill ($19.98). A documentary about the director’s father, Jodie, a transsexual woman.
Books
Gay Men’s Interest 1. “Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist, and Sexual Renegade,” by Justin Spring (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 496 pp., $32.50 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Drawn from the secret, never-before-seen diaries, journals and sexual records of the novelist, poet and university professor Samuel M. Steward. 2. “A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E.M. Forster,” by Wendy Moffat (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 416 pp., $32.50 hb, less 10 percent in the store). With the posthumous publication of his long-suppressed novel “Maurice” in 1970, E.M. Forster came out as a homosexual. Moffat offers a revelatory look at the intimate life of the great author. 3. “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. 4. “What We Remember,” by Michael Thomas Ford (Kensington, 362 pp., $15 new in pb). A father’s disappearance has a profound effect on his three children and causes secrets and lies to be exposed. 5. “Brendan Wolf,” by Brian Molloy (St. Martin’s, 304 pp., $13.95 pb). A compelling, hilarious, heart-breaking novel about one utterly typical, and completely original, figure: Brendan Wolf. 6. “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. 7. “The Road Home,” by Michael Thomas Ford (Kensington, 352 pp., $24 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A moving story of love, family and finding one’s place in the world. 8. “Cockeyed: A Donald Strachey Mystery,” by Richard Stevenson (MLR, 228 pp., $14.99 pb). When Hunny ‘You go, girl!’ Van Horn, Albany’s flaming-est flamer, wins the state lottery’s first billion-dollar payout, it’s PI Don Strachey who’s brought in to deal with the skeletons, some of them violent, that come crashing out of Hunny’s non-closet. Women’s Interest 1. “The Children of Mother Glory,” by C.M. Harris (Spinsters Ink, 442 pp., $15.95 pb). “Extraordinary and gorgeous. A profoundly good novel. Wise, deeply intelligent, beautiful in the conception and exceptional in the writing.” — Katherine V. Forrest 2. “Mean Little Deaf Queer: A Memoir,” by Terry Galloway (Beacon, 248 pp., $15 new in pb). When Galloway was born, no one knew that an experimental antibiotic given to her mother had wreaked havoc on her-then fetus’ nervous system. With disarming candor, the author writes about her breakdowns, queer identity and living in a silent world populated by unforgettable characters. 3. “Mommy, Mama and Me,” by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Carol Thompson (Tricycle, 20 pp., $7.95 pb). Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler’s daily activities — from the park to bedtime — in the company of two loving mothers. Full color. 4. “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,” by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, 232 pp., $13.95 pb). Through narrative that is alternately heartbreaking and funny, readers are drawn into a daughter’s complex yearning for her father. 5. “The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For,” by Alison Bechdel (Houghton Mifflin, 416 pp., $25 hb, less 10 percent in the store). This collection gathers 60 of the newest strips. 6. “Push: A Novel,” by Sapphire (Vintage, 192 pp., $13 pb). Relentless, remorseless and inspirational, this “horrific, hope-filled story” (Newsday) is certain to haunt a generation of readers. 7. “Lesbian Sex: 101 Lovemaking Positions,” by Jude Schell (Celestial Arts, 224 pp., $16.99 pb). Discover 101 positions for tonguing and grooving with this innovative and clever sex guide for women who love women.
Trans Interest 1. “Missed Her,” by Ivan E. Coyote (Arsenal Pulp, 160 pp., $16.95 pb). Coyote’s fifth collection of funny, wistful stories on gender and identity. 2. “Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation,” by Kate Bornstein and S. Bear Bergman (Seal, 304 pp., $16.95 pb). Bornstein, together with writer, raconteur and theater artist Bergman, collects and contextualizes the work of this generation’s trans and genderqueer forward-thinkers.