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. “A Warning in Blood” by Joseph R.G. DeMarco (Lethe, $18 pb, $6.99 ebook). Dru is not a commonplace vampire — he’s an Inquisitor, chosen by the elders of a most sanguine and secret society to investigate sedition and punish treason among the undead. From the posh clubs of Philadelphia to hidden monasteries in the Alps, bloodlines are being drawn and Dru’s fortitude will be tested as he discovers a warning in blood. 2. “A Visit to Priapus and Other Stories” by Glenway Wescott (U. of Wisconsin, $26.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store). The autobiographical story is about a literary man, frustrated in love, who puts aside his pride and makes a date with a young artist in Maine. 3. “The Heavens Rise” by Christopher Rice (Gallery, $26 hb, less 10 percent in the store; $12.99 ebook). New York Times-bestselling author Rice brilliantly conjures the shadowed terrors of the Louisiana Bayou — where three friends confront a deadly, ancient evil rising to the surface — in this intense and atmospheric new supernatural thriller. 4. “Love Lost in Translation: Homosexuality and the Bible” by T. Renato Lings (Trafford, $28.44 pb, $3.49 ebook). Systematically examines the biblical stories and passages that are generally assumed to deal with, or comment on, homoerotic relationships, combining meticulous scholarship with an accessible style to provide a much-needed infusion of essential learning into a subject that affects millions of Bible readers today. 5. “Local Souls” by Allan Gurganus (Liveright, $15.95 pb, $16.09 ebook). With the meteoric success of “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All,” Gurganus placed himself among America’s most original and emotionally engaged storytellers. If his first comic novel mapped the late 19th-century South, “Local Souls” brings the twisted hilarity of Flannery O’Connor kicking into our new century. 6. “The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (Belknap, $12.95pb, $9.39 ebook). The classic restored in its uncensored version, including graphic gay content. 7. “Little Penis: Oh, the Places You’ll Grow! A Parody” by Craig Yoe (Cider Mill, $9.99 boards). This finger-puppet parody book continues the story of Little Penis, and this time, he’s ready for new heights, great sights and some positive vibes! 8. “Baton Rouge Bingo” by Greg Herren (Bold Strokes, $16.95 pb, $9.99 ebook). Bomb threats, murder, a tiger, animal rights, missing money — all in a day’s work for Scotty Bradley, P.I.!
Men’s DVDs 1. “Behind the Candelabra,” directed by Steven Soderbergh (2013, 118 min., $19.98). Oscar winners Michael Douglas and Matt Damon star as the legendary Liberace and his young lover. 2. “Out in the Dark,” directed by Michael Mayer (2013, 96 min., $24.95). One fateful night in Tel Aviv, Palestinian student Nimer meets Roy, an Israeli lawyer, and the two fall in love. As their relationship deepens, they are both confronted with the harsh realities of a Palestinian society that refuses to accept Nimer for his sexual identity, and an Israeli society that rejects him for his nationality. 3. “Old Dogs and New Tricks, Seasons 1 & 2,” directed by Leon Acord (2011/2012, 109 min., $19.95). Does (sex) life end for gay men as they approach 50? That’s the question explored by this comedic, fast-paced series. 4. “Solo,” directed by Marcelo Briem Stamm (2013, 76 min., $24.95). Two young men in Buenos Aires meet and begin an erotic, intimate relationship, but secrets from their past are revealed, threatening their love in this taut Argentinean drama. Spanish with English subtitles. 5. “Men to Kiss,” directed by Robert Hasfogel (2012, 83 min., $19.95). Earnest is a banker who finds his work and personal life thrown upside-down after he meets and quickly falls in love with Tobi, a flighty, high-energy performance artist who lives for Berlin’s wild nightlife. German with English subtitles. 6. “Yossi and Jagger,” directed by Eytan Fox (2002, 71 min., $19.95). Based on a true story of the love affair of two Israeli officers in a remote army base on the Israeli-Lebanese border. 7. “Bridegroom,” directed by Linda Bloodsworth Thomason (2013, 82 min., $19.95). On May 7, 2011, Shane Bitney Crone tragically lost the love of his life, Tom, to an accident. Because they weren’t married or prepared for the unexpected, Shane lost all legal claim to Tom after he died. Tom’s family banned Shane from the funeral and he was unable to say goodbye. 8. “Waterberry Tears,” directed by Adrian Aldaz (2011, 89 min., $24.95). An intimate coming-of-age story about Goyo, a gay teenager in an immigrant Mexican family from the trailer homes and grape fields of a California migrant farming community. English and Spanish.
Women’s and Trans Books 1. “Queering Anarchism: Essays on Gender, Power and Desire,” edited by Martha Ackelsberg, et al. (AK, $19.95 pb, ebook). Brings together a diverse set of writings ranging from the deeply theoretical to the playfully personal that explore the possibilities of the concept of “queering,” turning the dominant, and largely heteronormative, structures of belief and identity entirely inside- out. 2. “Perfect Peace” by Daniel Black (St. Martin’s, $14.99 pb, $9.99 ebook). When Perfect Peace turns 8, her mother tells her, “You was born a boy. I made you a girl. But that ain’t what you was supposed to be. So, from now on, you gon’ be a boy.” From this point forward, his life becomes a bizarre kaleidoscope of events. 3. “The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For” by Alison Bechdel (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A “rich, funny, deep and impossible to put down” (Publishers Weekly) selection from all 11 “Dykes” volumes. Here too are 60 of the newest strips, never before published in book form. 4. “Best Lesbian Erotica 2014,” edited by Kathleen Warnock and Sarah Schulman (Cleis, $15.95 pb, $10.69 ebook). Warnock has taken the series to new heights of ecstasy with the 2014 entry, which is sensational, sensual and really smart smut. 5. “Homestead” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, $16.95 pb, $9.99 ebook). Tess Rogers grew up in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, but she always knew one thing to be true — one day, 600 acres of prime farmland would be hers. Then she discovers not even that truth can be counted on. 6. “Letters Never Sent” by Sandra Moran (Bedazzled Ink, $16.95 pb, $8.95 ebook). In 1931, Katherine Henderson leaves behind her small town in Kansas and the marriage proposal of a local boy to live on her own and work at the Sears & Roebuck glove counter in Chicago. There she meets Annie, a bold, outspoken feminist who challenges Katherine’s idea of who she thinks she is and what she thinks she wants in life. 7. “Nevada” by Imogen Binnie (Topside, $17.95 pb). The darkly comedic story of Maria Griffiths, a young trans woman living in New York City trying to stay true to her punk values while working retail. When she finds out her girlfriend has lied to her, the world she thought she’d carefully built for herself begins to unravel, and Maria sets out on a journey that will most certainly change her forever. 8. “The Summer We Got Free” by Mia McKenzie (Black Girl Dangerous Press, $14 pb). At one time a wild, young girl and a brilliant artist, Ava Delaney changes dramatically after a violent event that rocks her entire family. Once loved and respected in their community and in their church, the Delaneys are ostracized by their neighbors, led by their church leader, and a 17-year feud ensues.