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 Days of Anna Madrigal” by Armistead Maupin (Harper, $26.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store, $14.99 ebook). The ninth and final novel in Armistead Maupin’s classic “Tales of the City” series, “The Days of Anna Madrigal” is the triumphant resolution to a saga of urban family life that has enchanted and enlightened readers around the world since 1976. 2. “Inside a Pearl: My Years in Paris” by Edmund White (Bloomsbury, $26 hb, less 10 percent in the store, $12.99 ebook). “Inside a Pearl” recalls those fertile years for White. It’s a memoir that gossips and ruminates, and offers a brilliant examination of a city and a culture eternally imbued with an aura of enchantment. 3. “Foolish Hearts: New Gay Fiction,” edited by Timothy Lambert and R.D. Cochrane (Cleis, $15.95 pb). Lambert and Cochrane are back with a follow-up to their critically acclaimed “Fool for Love” with a collection of gay romance that incites love (and lust) in readers everywhere. 4. “Pee-Shy” by Frank Spinelli (Kensington, $15 pb, $9.39 ebook). For two years, Frank’s life had two realities — one lived in full view of his family, and the other a secret he shared with his Scoutmaster that he couldn’t confess to anyone. 5. “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Simon & Schuster, $17.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store, $12.45 ebook). A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Sáenz. 6. “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. His role is to investigate sedition and punish treason among the undead, of whom there are clans, factions and territories. 7. “Best Gay Erotica 2014,” edited by Larry Duplechan (Cleis, $15.95 pb, $10.69 ebook). Sometimes rough and always ready, “Best Gay Erotica 2014” is filled with stories of rough riders, silver-fox studs and hustlers, as well as coming-out and coming-of-age youth. 8. “In Bed with Gore Vidal” by Tim Teeman (Magnus, $19.99 pb, $9.99 ebook). Vidal claimed there was no such thing as “gay,” only gay sexual acts. But what was the truth about his sex life and sexuality — and how did it affect and influence his writing and public life.
Men’s DVDs 1. “Four,” directed by Joshua Sanchez (2012, 75 min., $24.95). With raw intimacy and emotion, these four characters explore the limits and possibilities of human connection. 2. “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. 3. “The Perfect Wedding,” directed by Scott Gabriel (2012, 82 min, $24.95). Two young gay men meet and fall in love over a holiday weekend where family and friends are planning the wedding of Paul’s sister. The problem is, Gavin is posing as the boyfriend of Paul’s ex and the two find themselves in a classic comic quandary as they try to ignore their feelings. 4. “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. 5. “Bad Boy Street,” directed by Todd Verow (2012, 80 min., $19.95). Two men embark on an unconventional romance in Verow’s sexy Parisian-set drama. 6. “Bridegroom,” directed by Linda Bloodsworth Thomason (2013, 82 min., $19.95). On May 7, 2011 a young man named 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. 7. “Out in the Dark,” directed by Michael Mayer (2013, 96 min., $24.95). Nimer, an ambitious Palestinian student in the West Bank, dreams of a better life abroad. One fateful night in Tel Aviv, he 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. 8. “I Do,” directed by Glenn Gaylord (2012, 91 min., $24.95). A gay Brit living in New York marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.
Women’s and Trans Books 1. “Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love, & So Much More” by Janet Mock (Atria, $24.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store, $12.99 ebook). Mock offers a bold and inspiring perspective on being young, multicultural, economically challenged and transgender in America. 2. “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, $14.95 pb, $10.09 ebook). A fresh and brilliantly told memoir from a cult favorite comic artist, marked by gothic twists, a family funeral home, sexual angst and great books. 3. “Love Alters: Lesbian Love Stories,” edited by Emma Donoghue (Skyhorse, $14.95 pb). Featuring both internationally renowned authors as well as newer authors from all across the English-speaking world. 4. “Best Lesbian Erotica 2013,” edited by Kathleen Warnock and Jewelle Gomez (Cleis, $15.95 pb, $10.69 ebook). “Powerful, memorable, and potent” — Curve. 5. “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. 6. “The Other Side of Paradise: A Memoir” by Staceyann Chin (Scribner, $16 pb, $11.66 ebook). Told with grace, humor and courage, Chin plumbs tender and unsettling memories as she writes about drifting from one home to the next, coming out as a lesbian, finding the man she believes to be her father and, ultimately, discovering her voice. 7. “Are You My Mother?” by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, $15.95 pb). From the best-selling author of “Fun Home,” Time magazine’s No. 1 Book of the Year, a poignant and hilarious graphic memoir of Bechdel becoming the artist her gifted mother always wanted to be. 8. “Blue Is the Warmest Color” by Julie Maroh (Arsenal Pulp, $19.95 pb, $19.95 DVD). The original graphic novel adapted into the film of the same name, winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Women’s and Trans DVDs 1. “Breaking the Girls,” directed by Jamie Babbit (2013, 87 min., $24.95). “A lipstick-lesbian riff on ‘Strangers on a Train.’” —Variety 2. “Jack and Diane,” directed by Bradley Rust Gray (2012, 105 min., $26.95). Young love is a monster. Can Jack and Diane survive? 3. “Romeos,” directed by Sabine Bernardi (2011, 94 min., $24.95). As a pre-op transgender person, Lukas is constantly finding himself trapped in uncomfortable, compromising positions. 4. “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. 5. “Mr. Angel: A Documentary,” directed by Chris Hunt (2013, $24.99). Shot over six years, “Mr. Angel” chronicles the extraordinary life of transgender advocate, educator and porn pioneer Buck Angel. Buck has survived addiction, homelessness, suicide and relentless opposition to his gender expression. Still, he lives his truth without compromise or apology. 6. “Lovers and Friends Show, Season 5, the Final Season,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2012, 196 min., $19.95). The ever-popular lesbians-of-color series wraps up its fifth and final season with a bang as your favorite characters grapple with sex and love and friendships — and the usual wildly entertaining drama of lesbian life in Miami! 7. “Elvis and Madonna,” directed by Marcelo Lafite (2010, 105 min., $24.95). In Copacabana, lesbian photographer Elvis (Simone Spoladore) meets transvestite hairdresser Madonna (Igor Cotrim) while delivering pizzas. The two quickly fall in love and move in together — but Madonna’s ex-lover, drug-dealer Joao, tries to come between them and promises revenge against Elvis. 8. “Kiss Me,” directed by Alexandra-Therese Keining (2011, 105 min., $24.95). Two women meet at an engagement party in the country — Frida’s mother is about to marry Mia’s father — and discover an instant attraction that immediately calls into question Mia’s engagement to her longtime boyfriend Tim. Notable for its sumptuous and sensual love scenes.