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.
Men’s Books 1. “We the Animals,” by Justin Torres ($18 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Perhaps the most talked-about novel of the season by the best new writer. An intense little read. 2. “A Body on Pine,” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco ($18 pb). When Marco Fontana enters his friend’s spa on Pine Street, he doesn’t find the peaceful retreat he expected. DeMarco’s second Philadelphia mystery. 3. “The Stranger’s Child,” by Alan Hollinghurst ($27.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). From the Man Booker Prize-winning author of “The Line of Beauty,” a magnificent, century-spanning saga about a love triangle that spawns a myth — and a family mystery — across generations. 4. “Murder on Camac,” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco ($18 pb). DeMarco’s first mystery. 5. “XY Survival Guide 2: Everything You Need to Know About Being Young and Sexy,” edited by Peter Ian Cummings ($12.95 pb, cheaper than Amazon). The best guide for young gay men. 6. “Remembering Christmas,” three novellas by Tom Mendicino, Frank Anthony Polito and Michael Salvatore ($15 pb). Gay men go home for the holidays. 7. “No Brainer Variations,” by Jim Cory ($8 pb). “For years I have admired Jim Cory for his irreverent poems, for their brutal honesty and their brutal humor.” — David Trinidad 8. “Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist and Sexual Renegade,” by Justin Spring ($18 new in pb). “A sensational reconstruction of one of the more extraordinary hidden lives of the 20th century.”
Trans Books 1. “Tango: My Childhood Backwards and in High Heels,” by Julian Vivian Bond ($16.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A moving and hilarious coming-of-age story about love, sex and attention deficit disorder. 2. “Almost Perfect,” by Brian Katcher ($8.99 pb). With his mother working long hours and in pain from a romantic break-up, 18-year-old Logan feels alone and unloved until a zany new student arrives at his small-town Missouri high school, keeping a big secret. 3. “Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man,” by Chaz Bono ($25.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Bono’s groundbreaking and candid account of a 40-year struggle to match his gender identity with his physical body. 4. “Captive Genders: Trans Embodiment and the Prison Industrial Complex,” edited by Nat Smith and Eric A. Stanley ($24.95 pb). Former prisoners, activists and academics offer new ways for understanding how race, gender, ability and sexuality survive under the crushing weight of captivity. 5. “Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica,” edited by Tristan Taormino ($14.95 pb). Celebrates the pleasure, heat and diversity of transgender and genderqueer sexualities.
Women’s Books 1 “Morning Haiku,” by Sonia Sanchez ($14 pb). A collection of haiku that celebrates the gifts of life and mourns the deaths of revered African-American figures in the worlds of music, literature, art and activism. 2. “I’m Black When I’m Singing, I’m Blue When I Ain’t and Other Plays,” by Sonia Sanchez ($19.95 pb). Like her poetry, Sanchez’s plays voice her critique of the racism and sexism that she encountered as a young female writer in the black militant community in the late 1960s and early ’70s, her ongoing concern with the well-being of the black community and her commitment to social justice. 3. “Big Big Love: A Sex and Relationship Guide for People of Size (and Those Who Love Them),” revised, by Hanne Blank ($15.99 pb). One-stop-shopping handbook on relationships, sexuality and big sexy confidence for people of all genders, sizes and sexual orientations who know that a fantastic love life doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the number on the bathroom scale. 4. “The Girls Club,” by Sally Bellerose ($14.95 pb). Set in the 1970s, the story revolves around Cora Rose as she copes with her emerging sexuality, an illness her sisters refer to as “the dreaded bowel disease” and the conflicts created by the growing disparity between her desires and her Catholic upbringing. 5. “Half to Death,” by Robin Alexander ($16.95 pb). A romance of frozen hearts. 6. “Lesbian Sex: 101 Love-Making Positions,” by Jude Schell ($16.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). More than 100 positions for tonguing and grooving with this innovative and clever sex guide for women who love women. 7. “Dare Truth or Promise,” by Paula Boock ($6.99 pb). “[A] steamy, brilliant girl-on-girl romance,” says Kirkus. Willa and Louie could not be more different. Louie wants to be a lawyer and is an outstanding student. Willa lives in a pub and just wants to get through the year so she can graduate and become a chef. But they are completely attracted to one another.
Men’s DVDs 1. “Finding Me: Truth,” directed by Roger S. Omeus, Jr. (2011, 100 min., $17.99). Who knew Jersey City could be such a hotbed of gay drama? 2. “Christopher Street: The Series,” directed by Evan Storey (2009, 90 min., $17.99). Through the lives of Chris and his diverse group of friends, we see the challenges faced by four young gay minority men. 3. “The One,” directed by Caytha Jentis (2011, 90 min., $24.99). This romantic comedy takes the conventions of the genre and gives them a stylishly queer twist — think “Philadelphia Story” meets “Latter Days.” 4. “Rent Boys,” directed by Rosa von Praunheim (2011, 84 min., $24.99). A frank and sympathetic chronicle of the historic causes and lasting effects of Berlin’s hustler trade. 5. “L.A. Zombie,” directed by Bruce LaBruce (2010, 62 min., $24.99). “This sexy horror film will get your adrenaline pumping all night.” — San Francisco Bay Guardian
Women’s DVDs 1. “The Lovers and Friends Show, Season 4,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2010, 167 min., $19.95). Six minority lesbians navigate their way through life’s challenges with attitude and a fabulous sense of style! 2. “When Night Is Falling,” directed by Patricia Rozema (1995, 94 min., $19.95). Classic tale of a college professor who has a chance encounter with a young circus performer. 3. “Leading Ladies,” directed by Erica Randall Beahm and Daniel Beahm (2010, 102 min., $24.95). A tale of uplifting gay affirmation — and exceptional choreography — with one sister pregnant and the other coming out of the closet and falling in love. 4. “Baby Jane?” directed by Billy Clift (2010, 97 min., $29.95). Two twisted sisters live in their own self-made hell. Takes its cues from the original cult classic starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford … but continually takes the audience down unexpected twists and turns. 5. Big Lesbian Love Collector’s Set (321 min., $34.95). Four films cheap: “Four-Faced Liar,” “My Normal,” “And Then Came Lola” and “Itty Bitty Titty Committee.”