Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960; www.queerbooks.com. Ten-percent off most hardcover in-store sales.
Books
Men’s 1. “hidden,” by Tomas Mournian (Kensington, 387 pp., $15 pb). Gay Ahmed’s parents take him to a residential treatment center in Nevada, where he’s tortured, molested and put through a “straight” rehabilitation program. After 11 months, Ahmed manages to escape to a safe house for runaway gay teens in San Francisco. 2. “Mary Ann in Autumn: A Tales of the City Novel,” by Armistead Maupin (Harper, 304 pp., $25.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Twenty years have passed since Mary Ann Singleton left her husband and child in San Francisco to pursue her dream of a television career in New York City. 3. “The Empty Family: Stories,” by Cólm Toíbin (Scribner, 275 pp., $24.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). “This is some of Toíbin’s most beautiful and heart-stopping writing. The story ‘The Street’ is one of the great love stories of our time, gay or straight.” — Edmund White 4. “Don’t Tell Nobody,” by Darryl Wayne (CreateSpace, 202 pp., $12.95 pb, $25.95 hb). A boy tells this tale, set in the North Philly ghetto, of molestation, poverty and self-loathing. His early life foreshadows dysfunctional relationships. 5. “Roman,” by Dwayne Vernon (Norcarjo, $15 pb). Roman, a street hustler with an 11th-grade education, is running the streets of Washington, D.C. 6. “Sal Mineo: A Biography,” by Michael Gregg Michaud (Crown, 432 pp., $25.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). One of the hottest stars of the 1950s, Sal Mineo’s life was tragically cut short when he was murdered at the age of 37. 7. “Me,” by Ricky Martin (Penguin, 304 pp., $26.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Superstar Ricky Martin opens up for the first time about his early childhood, reflections on coming to terms with his sexuality and much more. 8. “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary,” by David Sedaris (Little, Brown, 176 pp., $21.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Featuring Sedaris’ unique blend of hilarity and heart, this is a collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales. 9. “Two People,” by Donald Windham (Mondial, 196 pp., $15.85 pb). A love affair in Rome between a middle-aged American and a much younger Italian. First published in 1965. 10. “Great Speeches on Gay Rights,” edited by James Daley (Dover, 150 pp., $3.50 pb). Speeches include Robert G. Ingersoll’s “Address at the Funeral of Walt Whitman,” Harvey Milk’s “Hope Speech” and Franklin Kameny’s “Civil Liberties: A Progress Report.”
Women’s 1. “Dangerous Pleasures,” by Fiona Zedde (Kensington, 288 pp., $15 pb). Sex with no strings, dangerous one-night stands — Zedde explores one woman’s desire to push her sexual boundaries in this erotically charged novel. 2. “Stone Butch Blues,” by Leslie Feinberg (Alyson, 320 pp., $14.95 pb). Now that Alyson has ceased publishing, we’ve bought all the copies we can find. These may be the last copies available, at least for a while. 3. “Every Dark Desire,” by Fiona Zedde (Kensington, 288 pp., $14 pb). More hot stuff from Fiona. 4. “Tipping the Velvet,” by Sarah Waters (Riverhead, 480 pp., $16 pb). This stunning and steamy debut chronicles the adventures of a small-town girl at the turn of the century whose life takes a wild turn when she follows a local music-hall star to London. 5. “Shadow Point,” by Amy Briant (Bella, 200 pp., $14.95 pb). It wasn’t easy getting to Shadow Point. Turns out it’s even harder to leave. Romantic suspense. 6. “Keeping Up Appearances,” by Ann Roberts (Spinsters Ink, 288 pp., $14.95 pb). Each woman has her own reason for keeping up appearances at Cedar Hills Elementary, a school that boasts high academic standards and a spotless reputation. 7. “The Butterfly Moments,” by S. Renee Bess (Regal Crest, 208 pp., $16.95 pb). After a 20-plus-year career as a parole officer in Philadelphia, Alana Blue is ready to leave her job for more rewarding work. 8. “For Frying Out Loud: Rehoboth Beach Diaries,” by Fay Jacobs (A & M, 233 pp., $17 pb). Wise and witty recollections about contemporary life in general and, more specifically, life in Rehoboth Beach. 9. “Souls’ Rescue,” by Pat Cronin (Regal Crest, 170 pp., $14.95 pb). Kelly McCoy, a New York City firefighter and paramedic, relocates after Sept. 11 to Cincinnati, nursing a broken heart and looking for a new start.
DVDs
Women’s
1. “Lovers & Friends Show, Season 3,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2010, 217 min., $19.95). The ever-changing lives of your favorite women steam up as their worlds are turned upside down. 2. “Elena Undone,” directed by Nicole Conn (2010, 111 min., $24.95). When two women meet, they form an immeasurable bond that shakes the foundation of their sheltered worlds. 3. “Purple Sea,” directed by Donatella Maiorca (2011, 105 min., $24.95). Two women in 19th-century Sicily defy tradition. Italian with subtitles. 4. “My Normal,” directed by Irving Schwartz (2009, 77 min., $19.95). The story of Natalie, a young lesbian from the Lower East Side, who’s struggling to find a balance between her dreams of becoming a filmmaker and her lifestyle as a dominatrix. 5. “The Final Girl,” directed by Todd Verow (2010, 80 min., $24.95). A sultry mystery that takes us on a captivating journey through the psyches of three Parisian women. 6. “Wanda Sykes: I’ma Be Me” (2009, 60 min., $19.95). Wanda holds nothing back as she riffs on the perks of having a black president, coming out, getting married, motherhood, aging and 21st-century pirates. 7. “The Gymnast,” directed by Ned Farr (2006, 98 min., $19.95). Gymnast plus dancer in the circus.
Gay Men’s
1. “Howl,” directed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein (2010, 90 min., $29.95). It’s San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece, Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” is put on trial. 2. “David’s Birthday,” directed by Marco Filiberti (2009, 106 min., $19.95). While vacationing in an Italian summer home, happily married Matteo is surprised to find himself attracted to his best friend’s underwear-model son, David. Italian with subtitles. 3. “Role Play,” directed by Robb Williams (2010, 85 min., $19.95). Love and trouble in Palm Springs. 4. “Strapped,” directed by Joseph Graham (2010, 95 min., $19.95). A routine trick at a man’s apartment propels a cynical hustler into a series of strange and life-changing encounters. 5. “Patrik, Age 1.5,” directed by Ella Lemhagen (2008, 98 min., $24.95). Not a 1.5 baby but a 15-year-old homophobe. Swedish with subtitles. 6. “Pooltime,” directed by Michael Donahue (2010, 86 min., $29.95). Entering a gay midlife crisis, David, a handsome urban professional, decides to hold a different kind of pool party this weekend in West Hollywood. 7. “Komrades” and “Birch,” written/directed by Steve Kokker (2003, 94 min., $19.99). This pair of films explores the lives of Russian seamen and cadets with an unusual intimacy and in a gloriously homoerotic way. Russian with subtitles.