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. “Crimes on Latimer: The Early Cases of Marco Fontana” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco (Lethe, $18 pb). These stories show some of the forces that helped shape the young P.I. In high school, Fontana discovers that he has a knack for crime solving. 2. “Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders” by Samuel R. Delany (Magnus, $21.95 pb). “I consider Delany not only one of the most important science-fiction writers of the present generation, but a fascinating writer in general who has invented a new style.” — Umberto Eco 3. “Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars” by Scotty Bowers (Grove, $25 hb, less 10 percent in the store). “Newly discharged from the Marines after World War II, Scotty Bowers arrived in Hollywood in 1946. Young, charismatic and strikingly handsome, he quickly caught the eye of many of the town’s stars and starlets. He began sleeping with some himself, and connecting others with his coterie of young, attractive and sexually free-spirited friends. His own lovers included Edith Piaf, Spencer Tracy, Vivien Leigh, Cary Grant, and the abdicated King of England Edward VIII.” 4. “Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Authors Who Changed the World” by Christopher Bram (Twelve, $27.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Begins with the first wave of major gay literary figures — Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg and James Baldwin, who set the stage for a new generation: Armistead Maupin, Edmund White, Tony Kushner and Edward Albee among them. 5. “The Temperamentals: A Play” by Jon Marans (Chelsea Station, $16 pb). The hit Philadelphia play tells the story of two men — the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich — as they fall in love while building the Mattachine Society, the first gay-rights organization in the pre-Stonewall U.S. 6. “Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World” by Alan Downs (DaCapo, $15.95 pb). A groundbreaking examination of the psychology of homosexuality, why it leads to shame over one’s identity and how to overcome it. This book has remarkable staying power. 7. “Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller (Ecco, $25.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A thrilling and unique retelling of the legend of Achilles: a tale of gods, kings, immortal fame and the human heart. 8. “Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War” by Jeff Mann (Bear Bones, $18 pb). Two young soldiers on opposite sides find themselves drawn together. 9. “Red, White, Black and Blue: A Donald Strachey Mystery” by Richard Stevenson (MLR, $13.99 pb). Rumors about the Tea Party’s opportunistic gubernatorial candidate, Kenyon Louderbush, paint him as an unfaithful, callous exploiter of young men … young men that he puts into the hospital … or perhaps the morgue. 10. “Gay Lives” by Robert Aldrich (Thames & Hudson, $29.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A comprehensive biographical survey from ancient Chinese courtiers to pioneers of gay liberation in the 21st century.
Men’s DVDs 1. “Jitters” directed by Z. Baldwin (2010, 97 min., $19.99). An unexpected first kiss causes Gabriel to feel the electrifying “jitters” of love and lust with the free-spirited Marcus — a perfect way to end a summer studying abroad. 2. “The Seminarian” directed by Joshua Lim (2010, 101 min., $24.95). A story about Ryan, a closeted gay student in his final semester of seminary studies. 3. “Eating Out 5: The Open Weekend” directed by Allan Brocka (2011, 80 min., $24.95). Zack and Benji open up their relationship for a weekend of fun at a gay resort in Palm Springs. 4. “Kink Crusaders” directed by Mike Skiff (2010, 75 min., $24.99). Go behind the scenes at the annual International Mr. Leather competition. 5. “Finding Me: Truth” directed by Roger S. Omeus Jr. (2011, 100 min., $17.95). Follows the loves, losses, fights, jealousies and broken hearts of a group of African-American friends.
Women’s Books 1. “Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal?” by Jeanette Winterson (Grove, $25 hb, less 10 percent in the store). This memoir is a tough-minded search for belonging, for love, an identity, a home and a mother by the author of “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.” 2. “Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power” by Rachel Maddow (Crown, $25 hb, less 10 percent in the store). There’s a war going on, argues Maddow, a battle between the priorities of civilian life and of the war machine, and right now the national security sector is winning — leaving the United States less strong and secure. 3. “Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama” by Alison Bechdel (HMH, $22 hb, less 10 percent in the store). From the best-selling author of “Fun Home,” a poignant and hilarious graphic memoir of Bechdel becoming the artist her gifted mother always wanted to be. 4. “Night Hunt” by Radcliffe writing as L.L. Raand (Bold Strokes, $16.95 pb). Niki Kroff has one mission in life: to lead Sylvan Mir’s elite guard and protect the wolf Alpha’s life. 5. “Hood: A Novel” by Emma Donoghue (Harper, $14.99 pb). Penelope O’Grady and Cara Wall are risking disaster when, like teenagers in any intolerant time and place — here, a Dublin convent school in the late 1970s — they fall in love. 6. “Tipping the Velvet” by Sarah Waters (Riverhead, $16 pb). This stunning and steamy debut chronicles the adventures of Nan King, 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. 7. “Sometimes She Lets Me: Best Butch/Femme Erotica” edited by Tristan Taormino (Cleis, $14.99 pb). Does the swagger of a sure-footed butch make you swoon? Do your knees go weak when you see a femme straighten her stockings? 8. “When We Were Outlaws” by Jeanne Cordova (Spinsters Ink, $14.95 pb). A rare view of the life of a radical lesbian during the early cultural struggle for gay rights, women’s liberation and the New Left of the 1970s. 9. “Same Sex in the City: So Your Prince Charming Is Really Cinderella” by Lauren Levin and Lauren Blitzer (Simon & Schuster, $14.95 pb). The journey from sexual curiosity to finally coming out can be confusing without proper guidance and empowering role models. 10. “Gay Lives” by Robert Aldrich (Thames & Hudson, $29.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A comprehensive biographical survey from ancient Chinese courtiers to pioneers of gay liberation in the 21st century.
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 L Word, The Complete Set” (55 hours, $132.99). This handsome collector’s edition set includes all the hot drama and wildly entertaining exploits of some of the most popular lesbian characters of all time. 3. “Gigola” directed by Laure Charpentier (2010, 102 min., $24.95). Based on the long censored novel of the same name, this film captures a little-known chapter in Parisian history in which eroticism defied conventional morals. French with English subtitles. 4. “The Lovers & Friends Show, Season 4” directed by Charmain Johnson (2011, 167 min., $19.95). Six minority lesbians navigate their way through life’s challenges with attitude and a fabulous sense of style! 5. “Leading Ladies” directed by Erika Randal Beahm (2010, 102 min., $24.95). This fabulous comedy about two sisters, their gay best friend and their overzealous stage mom serves up a tale of uplifting gay affirmation — and exceptional choreography!