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. “Chulito” by Charles Rice-Gonzalez (Magnus, $14.95 pb). A coming-of-age, coming-out love story of a sexy, tough, hip-hop-loving, young Latino man in the Bronx. 2. “Jack Holmes and His Friend” by Edmund White (Bloomsbury, $26 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Jack Holmes and Will Wright arrive in New York in the calm before the storm of the 1960s. Coworkers at a cultural journal, they soon become good friends. Jack even introduces Will to the woman he will marry. But their friendship is complicated: Jack is also in love with Will. 3. “God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality” by Jay Michaelson (Beacon, $25.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Core values of Judaism and Christianity alike oblige believers to support gay rights, Michaelson posits. 4. “Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist and Sexual Renegade” by Justin Spring (Farrar Straus Giroux, $18 new in pb). Drawn from the secret, never-before-seen diaries, journals and sexual records of the novelist, poet and university professor Samuel M. Steward, “Secret Historian” is a sensational reconstruction of one of the more extraordinary hidden lives of the 20th century. 5. “Best Gay Erotica 2012” edited by Richard LaBonte (Cleis, $14.95 pb). Gathers the hottest, freshest and most literary fiction for the year. 6. “When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color” by Darian Aaron (iUniverse, $11.95 pb). Profiles 18 African-American gay couples in committed long-term relationships. 7. “The Mammoth Book of Gorgeous Guys” edited by Barbara Cardy (Running Press, $17.95 pb). This collection of erotic art features over 500 erotic portraits of male nudes. 8. “History’s Passions: Stories of Sex Before Stonewall” edited by Richard LaBonte (Bold Strokes, $16.95 pb). Four acclaimed erotic authors re-imagine the past … Welcome to the hidden queer history of men loving men not so very long — and centuries — ago.
Men’s DVDs
1. “Harvest” directed by Benjamin Cantu (2011, 88 min., $19.99). Breathtaking in its subtle beauty, an achingly romantic tale of an innocent but increasingly passionate affair that develops between two simple farmhands. German with English subtitles. 2. “I Want to Get Married” directed by Billy Clift (2011, 115 min., $24.99). Sweet and geeky Paul attends a wedding and decides he wants to get married to the man of his dreams. 3. “Hold Your Peace” directed by Wade McDonald (2011, 97 min., $24.99). A gay romantic comedy that examines how we decide who we want to spend the rest of our lives with. 4. “Eating Out 4: Drama Camp” directed by Q. Allan Brocka (2011, 90 min., $24.95). An over-the-top raunchy comedy with the innocence of summer. 5. “The Love Patient” directed by Michael Simon (2011, 95 min., $24.99). How far would you go to win back the love of your life? 6. “Beginners” directed by Mike Mills (2010, 105 min., $29.95). When his father comes out at 75, Oliver realizes just how much of a beginner he is when it comes to long-lasting romantic love. 7. “From Beginning to End” directed by Aluizio Abranches (2009, 96 min., $19.99). A strikingly evocative romance of two men fighting against societal conventions. Portuguese with English subtitles. 8. “The One” directed by Caytha Jentis (2011, 90 min., $24.99). After a few drinks, Daniel succumbs to his repressed desires and makes a one-time “mistake.”
Women’s and trans books
1. “Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion and Spirituality” edited by Kevin Simmonds (Sibling Rivalry, $24.95 pb). Poets representing the United States, Singapore, Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, Malaysia, Japan and other countries. 2. “Gravity” by Leanne Lieberman (Orca, $12.95 pb). An Orthodox Jewish teenager comes to terms with her sexuality and her faith. 3. “Milk and Honey: A Celebration of Jewish Lesbian Poetry” edited by Julie R. Enszer (Midsummer Nights, $14.95 pb). Contemporary Jewish lesbian poets address an array of experiences. 4. “Wax” by Therese Ambrosi Smith (Blue Star, $13.95 pb). Inspired by the lives of actual “Rosies,” this novel follows three young women as they take industry jobs during WWII and as they break their mothers’ molds when the war is over. 5. “Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws” by Kate Bornstein (Seven Stories, $16.95 pb). Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Bornstein is the radical role model, the affectionate best friend and the guiding mentor all in one kind and spirited package. 6. “Best Lesbian Erotica 2012” edited by Radclyffe (Cleis, $14.95 pb). Erotica maestro Radclyffe has assembled over two-dozen titillating tales of lesbian couples taking each other to new heights of happily bedded bliss. 7. “Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica” edited by Tristan Taormino (Cleis, $14.95 pb). “There was something about the way she touched me that made it clear she was touching the body I felt I had rather than the one I actually had.”
Women’s DVDs
1. “Circumstance” directed by Maryam Keshavarz (2011, 107 min., $24.95). Two teenage girls navigating the wild Iranian underground scene. 2. “The Real L Word: The Complete Second Season” (2011, 504 min., $37.95). The totally unscripted Showtime reality series about being young, gay and out in L.A. 3. “Purple Sea” directed by Donatella Maiorca (2009, 105 min., $24.95). A scandal hidden in 19th-century Sicily between two young women. Italian with English subtitles. 4. “The Real L Word: The Complete First Season” (2010, 532 min., $36.95). Meet six of the most gorgeous, powerful and fascinating lesbians of L.A. 5. “Out at the Wedding” directed by Lee Friedlander (2007, 96 min., $24.95). Straight white Alex tries to hide her engagement to a Jewish African-American man by pretending to be gay. 6. “Lovers & Friends Show, Season 1” directed by Charmain Johnson (2010, 163 min., $19.95). Six charming, funny and bright lesbians of color explore life, love, heartache and laughter. 7. “Loving Annabelle” directed by Katherine Brooks (2006, 77 min., $14.95). 8. “Bloomington” directed by Fernanda Cardoso (2010, 83 min., $24.95). Jackie is instantly attracted to Catherine, a young professor with a reputation.
