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. “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin (Delta, $14 pb). We think the resurgence of our eponymous book is due to the rebroadcast of the excellent documentary about Baldwin on PBS last month. The edition we have been selling for the past 13 years is suddenly out of print. A new edition is due this month. 2. “The Gallery” by John Horne Burns (New York Review, $18.95 pb). A daring and enduring novel — one of the first to look directly at gay life in the military — “The Gallery” poignantly conveys the mixed feelings of the American men and women who fought in World War II. 3. “A Body on Pine” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco (Lethe, $18 pb). When Marco Fontana enters his friend’s spa on Pine Street in Philadelphia, he doesn’t find the peaceful retreat he expected. 4. “London Triptych” by Jonathan Kemp (Arsenal Pulp, $16.95 pb, $10.59 ebook). Interweaves the lives and loves of three very different London men across the decades. 5. “Bread and Wine: An Erotic Tale of New York” by Samuel R. Delany (Fantagraphics, $14.99 hb). A graphic autobiography that flashes back to the unlikely story of how Delany befriended Dennis, and how they became an enduring couple — Delany, a professor at Philadelphia’s Temple University, and Dennis, an intelligent man living on the streets. 6. “Trevor: A Novella” by James Lescene (Triangle Square, $9.95 pb, $10.09 ebook). Shunned by his friends, misunderstood by his parents and harassed at school for being different, Trevor goes from wondering what color glitter to choose for his Lady Gaga costume at Halloween, to wondering why some feelings “are so intense it makes you just want to lay down and die rather than go on feeling it.” 7. “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, and more specifically among young gay men of color.
Women’s and Trans Books 1. “Are You My Mother? A Comic Drama” by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, $15.95 pb). A poignant and hilarious graphic memoir of Bechdel’s becoming the artist her gifted mother always wanted to be. 2. “Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?” by Jeanette Winterson (Grove, $15 pb, $10.09 ebook). A captivating book, quotable and brightly flecked with humor. A personal and at times painfully raw story about an adoptee’s lifelong search for love. It also makes a strong case for how a life can be saved by literature. 3. “How Poetry Saved My Life: A Hustler’s Memoir” by Amber Dawn (Arsenal Pulp, $15.95 pb). A memoir about sex work, sexuality and how writing became the author’s lifeline, connecting her to other queer voices. 4. “Heather Has Two Mommies” by Lesléa Newman (Alyson, $12.95 pb). This children’s book from 1989 may be the most-banned book in the country. 5. “Lesbian Sex: 101 Love-Making Positions” by Jude Schell (Celestial Arts, $16.99 pb, $11.99 ebook). Discover 101 ways to caress, rub, lick, suck, grind and slip inside with this groundbreaking collection of lovemaking positions for women who love women. 6. “This Is My Family: A First Look at Same-Sex Parents” by Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker (Barron’s Educational, $7.99 pb). Takes a child’s point of view in its discussion of same-sex marriage. 7. “Keesha and Her Two Moms Go Swimming” by Monica Bey-Clarke, Cheril N. Clarke and Aiswarya Mukherjee (Dodi, $12.95 hb). For ages 1-4.
Men’s DVDs 1. “White Frog,” directed by Quentin Lee (2012, 93 min., $24.95). When Nick’s big brother Chaz (“Glee”’s Harry Shum Jr.) passes away in a tragic accident, Chaz’s friends comfort young Nick as he gradually discovers the truth — Chaz was gay, not such a nice thing in a traditional Chinese family. 2. “Loose Cannons,” directed by Ferzan Ozpetek (2010, 110 min., $19.95). A heartwarming comedy about family, business and coming out. Italian with subtitles. 3. “Mixed Kebab,” directed by Guy Lee Thys (2012, 86 min., $19.95). Happily filled with contradictions, tall, dark and handsome Bram lives a mysterious life in Antwerp that is very different from his conservative, religious upbringing. 4. “On the Road,” directed by Walter Salles (2012, 124 min., $24.95). This lush film adaptation of bisexual Beat legend Jack Kerouac’s classic novel has been lauded for its inclusion of same-sex desire — including a graphic gay sex scene. 5. “Des/Esperando,” directed by Erick Salas Kirchhausen (2010, 73 min., $24.95). This sizzling romance is about the lust we have and the entrapment of the lives we can’t leave behind. Spanish with subtitles. 6. “Yossi, aka Yossi and Jagger 2,” directed by Eytan Fox (2012, 85 min., $27.95). The long-awaited sequel to “Yossi and Jagger” about Yossi’s life after Jagger’s death. 7. “A Portrait of James Dean: Joshua Tree, 1951,” directed by Matthew Mishory (2012, 93 min., $24.95). A fearless, intimate fictional portrait of James Dean on the cusp of becoming both a great actor and an outsider icon.
Women’s DVDs 1. “Cloudburst,” directed by Thom Fitzgerald (2011, 93 min., $24.95). Co-stars Oscar-winning actors Brenda Fricker and Olympia Dukakis as Dot and Stella, a crackerjack lesbian couple on the run from a nursing home. You’ll laugh so hard you’ll cry! 2. “Spinnin’,” directed by Pastrana (110 min., $24.99). At the heart of it all is Gárate (Alejandro Tous) and Omar (Olav Fernández), a gay couple looking for a woman to mother their child. Spanish with subtitles. 3. “Gun Hill Road,” directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green (2011, 88 min., $19.95). After three years in prison, macho Enrique (Esai Morales) returns to the Bronx to find the world he once knew has turned upside down. His wife, Angela (Judy Reyes), struggles to hide an emotional affair, and his teenage son, Michael (newcomer Harmony Santana), explores a sexual transformation well beyond Enrique’s grasp and understanding. 4. “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Season 2 ($38.99), Season 3 ($49.99), Season 4 ($57.95). 5. “Isle of Lesbos,” directed by Jeff B. Harmon (1996, 98 min., $29.99). Who says lesbians don’t do camp? 6. “Mosquita y Mari,” directed by Aurora Guerrero (2012, 85 min., $24.95). This exquisitely crafted coming-of-age tale follows a pair of Latina teens who fall gradually in love against the backdrop of Southeast Los Angeles. 7. “A Perfect Ending,” directed by Nicole Conn (2012, 106 min., $24.95). Named “the sexiest lesbian film of 2012” by Curve Magazine.