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. “Don’t Just Dream About It … Wake Up! Awaken Your Inner and Outer World” by Darien K. Marshall and Darius L. Jones (Darimar Innovations, $19.95 pb). It’s your personal guide to help you uncover those hidden beliefs that keep you stuck in many different areas of your life. 4. “The Testament of Mary” by Colm Tóibin (Scribner, $19.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A solitary older woman seeks to understand the events that others understand as divine. 5. “Israel/Palestine and the Queer International” by Sarah Schulman (Duke, $22.95 pb). Schulman describes her dawning consciousness of the Palestinian liberation struggle. 6. “The Little Book of Big Penis,” edited by Dian Hanson (Taschen, $9.99 pb). More than 150 massively endowed models from the 1940s through the ’90s, including photos by Bob Mizer of AMG, David Hurles of Old Reliable, Rip Colt of Colt Studio and Craig Calvin Anderson of Sierra Domino. 7. “Out in Paperback,” edited by Ian Young (MLR, $11.99 pb). A look at gay mass-market paperback cover art from 1948-98 and its importance in the development of gay popular culture. 8. “We the Animals” by Justin Torres (Mariner, $12.95 pb). Plunges us into the chaotic heart of one family, the intense bonds of three brothers. 9. “The Absolutist” by John Boyne (Other Press, $16.95 pb). A masterful tale of passion, jealousy, heroism and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I. 10. “A Body on Pine” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco (Lethe, $18 pb). When P.I. Marco Fontana enters his friend’s spa on Pine Street in Philadelphia, he doesn’t find the peaceful retreat he expected.
Men’s DVDs 1. “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.” 2. “Punks,” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2001, $24.95). The trials and tribulations of a group of gay African-American friends. 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. “Bad Boy Street,” directed by Todd Verow (2012, 80 min., $19.99). Two men embark on an unconventional romance in Verow’s sexy Parisian-set drama. 5. “Speechless,” directed by Simon Chung (2011, $24.99). In a remote part of southern China, a mysterious Westerner appears on a riverbank, completely naked. 6. “The Falls,” directed by Jon Garcia (2012, $24.95). RJ and Chris were both born and raised in the Mormon Church, with pretty girlfriends and Eagle Scout badges,yet they’re drawn to each other. 7. “The Men Next Door,” directed by Rob Williams (2012, 84 min., $24.95). Falling in love with the boy next door? That’s a dream come true. Falling in love with his father, too? That’s just awkward. 8. “The Pretty Boys,” directed by Everett Lewis ($19.95). Sex. Drugs. Rock. The way it was. Los Angeles, 1973. 9. “Gayby,” directed by Jonathan Lisecki (2012, $24.95). A gay guy named Matt and his straight best friend Jenn decide to have a baby together — the old-fashioned way! 10. “Children of God,” directed by Kareem Mortimer (2010, 103 min., $14.95). The gorgeous beaches and towns of the Bahamas are the setting for a strong and tender romantic drama.
Women’s and Trans 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 Sarah Schulman describes her dawning consciousness of the Palestinian liberation struggle. 3. “Living Two Lives: Married to a Man and in Love with a Woman” ($15.95 pb). A guide for married women awakening to their attraction to other women. 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. “Crossroads” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, $$16.95 pb). Dr. Hollis Monroe specializes in short-term relationships, typically eight months or less. As an obstetrician dealing with high-risk pregnancies, she cares for women at a nice, comfortable professional distance. They’re happy, she’s satisfied, and no one gets hurt. The perfect relationship. 6. “Seriously … I’m Kidding” by Ellen DeGeneres (Grand Central, $14.99 pb). Says DeGeneres about her new book: “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?” 7. “Ethical Slut, Revised Edition” by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy (Celestial Arts, $16.95 pb). This groundbreaking guide navigates the infinite possibilities that open relationships can offer. 8. “How to Be a Woman” by Caitlin Moran (Harper, $15.99 pb). Though they have the vote and the pill and haven’t been burned as witches since 1727, life isn’t exactly a stroll down the catwalk for modern women. Moran interweaves provocative observations on women’s lives with laugh-out-loud funny scenes from her own — from the riot of adolescence to her development as a writer, wife and mother. 9. “Dirty Italian: Everyday Slang from ‘What’s Up?’ to ‘F*%# Off!’” by Gabrielle Euvino, illustrated by Lindsay Mack (Ulysses, $10 pb). 10. “Dirty French: Everyday Slang from ‘What’s Up?’ to “F*% # Off!” by Adrien Clautrier and Henry Rowe, illustrated by Lindsay Mack (Ulysses, $10 pb). Next time you’re traveling or just chattin’ in French with your friends, drop the textbook formality and bust out with expressions they never teach you in school. Women’s and Trans DVDs
1. “Pariah,” directed by Dee Reese (2011, 87 min., $19.98). A 17-year-old African-American butch lesbian torn between the demands of her conservative family and the comfort of community among her friends in the outside world. 2. “Elvis and Madonna,” directed by Marcelo Lafite (2010, 105 min., $24.95). In Copacabana, lesbian photographer Elvis meets transvestite hairdresser Madonna while delivering pizzas. 3. “Kiss Me,” directed by Alexandra-Therese Keining (2011, 105 min., $24.95). Mia, a 30-something well-to-do architect, finds her life turned upside-down when she unexpectedly falls in love with the free-spirited Frida. Swedish, with subtitles.