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.
Women’s and Trans Books 1. “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. 2. “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.” 3. “Tango: My Childhood Backwards and in High Heels” by Justin Vivian Bond (Feminist, $16.95 pb). Raises issues about LGBTQ adolescence, homophobia, parenting and sexuality, while being utterly entertaining. 4. “Oath of Honor: A First Responders Novel” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, $16.95 pb). Navy doctor and Secret Service agent in the White House. 5. “Keepers of the Cave” by Gerri Hill (Bella, $15.95 pb). 6. “What’s Normal Anyway? A Comic About Being Trans Male” by Morgan Boecher (self-published, $5 pb). 7. “Queer and Pleasant Danger” by Kate Bornstein (Beacon, $24.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Memoir of a nice Jewish boy who joined the Church of Scientology and left 12 years later, ultimately transitioning to a woman. A few years later, she stopped calling herself a woman and became famous as a gender outlaw.
Women’s and Trans DVDs 1. “The Guest House” directed by Michael Baumgarten (2011, 84 min., $24.95). Teen and college grad. 2. “Joe + Belle” directed by Veronica Kedar (2011, 80 min., $24.95). The chemistry here is spot-on perfect as the two girls fall madly in love against the backdrop of a wild cross-country getaway — after they accidentally kill a guy! 3. “Pariah” directed by Dee Rees (2011, 87 min., $29.95). A 17-year-old African-American butch lesbian is torn between the demands of her conservative family and the comfort of community among her friends. 4. “The Real L Word: Complete Second Season” (2011, 504 min., $36.95). The totally unscripted Showtime reality series about being young, gay and out in L.A. 5. “Precious” directed by Lee Daniels (2009, 109 min., $9.95). Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire. 6. “The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love” directed by Maria Maggenti (1995, 94 min., $7.95). A terrific teen lesbian story about the love between poor white tomboy Randy and her affluent African-American classmate Evie. 7. “Treading Water” directed by Lauren Himmel (2001, 95 min., $14.95). A longshorewoman seems to have everything she wants.
Men’s Books 1. “For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out and Coming Home” by Keith Boykin (Magnus, $15.95 pb). Addresses longstanding issues of sexual abuse, suicide, HIV/AIDS, racism and homophobia in the African-American and Latino communities. 2. “Crimes on Latimer: The Early Cases of Marco Fontana” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco (Lethe, $18 pb). The third volume in the mystery series set in Philadelphia. 3. “The Fall” by Ryan Quinn (AmazonEncore, $14.95 pb). Three college seniors in their pivotal year. 4. “Body on Pine” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco (Lethe, $18 pb). A Philadelphia murder mystery. 5. “Zack: The Art” by Zack (Gmuender, $44.99, less 10 percent in the store). Very erotic comics. 6. “Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall” by St. Sukie De La Croix (U. of Wisconsin, $29.95 pb). Jane Addams, Leyendecker, Henry Gerber and all the other Chicagoans.
Men’s DVDs 1. “August” directed by Eldar Rapaport (2011, 105 min., $24.95). Unfolds a triangle of desire and emotion in the midst of a classic Hollywood heat wave. An irresistible gay romantic drama with a wonderful cast! 2. “Leave It on the Floor” directed by Sheldon Larry (2011, 107 min., $24.95). An ode to the wild, funky and heart-aching life of the “Paris Is Burning” subculture. 3. “Weekend” directed by Andrew Haigh (2011, 97 min., $29.95). A one-night stand that develops into a weekend-long idyll for two very different young men. 4. “Private Romeo” directed by Alan Brown (2011, 98 min., $24.95). Takes us to a mysterious and tender place that only Shakespeare could have inspired. 5. “The Seminarian” directed by Joshua Lim (2011, 101 min., $24.99). Ryan is a closeted gay student in his final semester of seminary studies. About repressed Catholic seminarians. 6. “Finding Me: Truth” directed by Roger S. Emeus Jr. (2011, 100 min., $17.99). Truth follows the loves, losses, fights, jealousies and broken hearts of a group of friends. 7. “Harvest” directed by Benjamin Cantu (2011, 98 min., $19.99). An achingly romantic tale of an innocent but ever-increasingly passionate affair that develops between two simple farmhands.