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. “The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, edited by Nicholas Frankel (Belknap, $12.95 pb). This volume restores material, including instances of graphic homosexual content, removed by the novel’s first editor. 2. “Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies (with CD)” by Carrie Stone and John G. Culhane (Wiley, $34.99 pb). Grasp the latest legal information for gay and lesbian couples. 3. “The Testament of Mary” by Colm Tóibĭn (Scribner, $19.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A solitary older woman seeking to understand the events that others understand as divine. 4. “Israel/Palestine and the Queer International” by Sarah Schulman (Duke, $22.95 pb). Activist and novelist Schulman describes her dawning consciousness of the Palestinian liberation struggle. 5. “Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris (Back Bay, $10 pb). This beloved holiday collection is expanded with six new stories. 6. “The Little Book of Big Penis” edited by Dian Hanson (Taschen, $9.99 pb). Photographs of … 7. “Oddly Normal: One Family’s Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality” by John Schwartz (Gotham, $26 hb, less 10 percent in the store). An eye-opening story for families who hope to bring up well-adjusted gay adults. 8. “We the Animals” by Justin Torres (Mariner, $12.95 pb). Plunges us into the chaotic heart of one family and the intense bonds of three brothers.
Trans & Women’s Books 1. “Same-Sex Legal Kit for Dummies (with CD)” by Carrie Stone and John G. Culhane (Wiley, $34.99 pb). Grasp the latest legal information for gay and lesbian couples. 2. “Israel/Palestine and the Queer International” by Sarah Schulman (Duke, $22.95 pb). Activist and novelist Schulman describes her dawning consciousness of the Palestinian liberation struggle. 3. “Crossroads” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, $16.95 pb). Dr. Hollis Monroe specializes in short-term relationships, typically eight months or less. 4. “Are You My Mother? A Comic Drama,” graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, $15.95 pb). A poignant and hilarious account of Bechdel becoming the artist her gifted mother always wanted to be. 5. “The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For,” comic strips by Alison Bechdel (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25 hb, less 10 percent in the store). This collection gathers 60 of the newest strips. 6. “Dirty Italian: Everyday Slang from ‘What’s Up’ to ‘F*%# Off’” by Gabrielle Euvino, illustrated by Lindsay Mack (Ulysses, $10 pb). 7. “Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir” by Ellen Forney (Gotham, $20 pb). Explores the relationship between “crazy” and “creative.” 8. “Coal to Diamonds: A Memoir” by Beth Ditto with Michelle Tea (Spiegel and Grau, $22 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Offers an honest, empowering tale of a girl who emerged from humble beginnings in rural Arkansas to become a glam lesbian diva. 9. “Seriously … I’m Kidding” by Ellen DeGeneres (Grand Central, $14.99 pb). Says DeGeneres, “I’ve experienced a whole lot the last few years and I have a lot to share. So I hope that you’ll take a moment to sit back, relax and enjoy the words I’ve put together for you in this book. I think you’ll find I’ve left no stone unturned, no door unopened, no window unbroken, no rug unvacuumed, no ivories untickled. What I’m saying is, let us begin, shall we?”
Men’s DVDs 1. “Punks” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2001, $24.95). The trials and tribulations of a group of gay African-American friends. 2. “The Skinny” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2011, $24.95). A sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young, black, gay men and their lesbian best friend. From the director of “Punks” and “Noah’s Arc.” 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. “Speechless” directed by Simon Chung (2011, $24.99). In a remote part of southern China, a mysterious Westerner appears on a riverbank, completely naked. 5. “Scrooge and Marley” directed by Peter Neville and Richard Knight, Jr. (2012, $19.95). A gay retelling of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, with heart, comedy and music. 6. “The Falls” directed by Jon Garcia (2012, $24.95). RJ and Chris were both born and raised in the Mormon Church. Both have pretty girlfriends, were Eagle Scouts at a young age and have perfect academic records. Now, it’s their turn to serve a mission. 7. “Elliot Loves” directed by Terracino (2012, $19.99). Concerns Elliot, handsome and charismatic but unlucky in love. 8. “August,” directed by Eldar Rapaport (2011, $24.95). On the verge of his 30th birthday, Jonathan is torn between the domestic comfort of his life with Raul and the torrid pleasures of an affair with his super sexy ex-boyfriend Troy.