James E. McGreevey

ReganBooks

$26.95, hardcover

When New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey declared his “truth as a gay American” in 2004, it sent shockwaves throughout the country. The resignation of this married family man was nothing short of a political scandal; when a former paramour threatened to expose him, McGreevey gave a very public face to a very private issue.

In The Confession, McGreevey candidly reflects on what it means to traverse the slippery slopes of holding a public office and his political rise and fall. Delving into his past, he reveals a lifetime struggle with his sexuality, which went hand in hand with a need to separate his private and public persona. In The Confession, McGreevey confronts this division of self.

Readers could focus on the more lurid details of McGreevey’s time in office, but he did accomplish quite a lot during his tenure. He made literacy and education a big priority, allotted $8.6 billion to school construction and made it possible for 37,000 uninsured drivers to receive affordable coverage with a reform platform.

McGreevey currently resides in Plainfield, N.J., with his partner. He will be speaking about and signing copies of The Confession at Claire de Lune (2906 University Ave.) on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7:00 p.m.

Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons

Basic Books

$27.50, hardcover

This in-depth account of gay culture explores the cracks in the asphalt jungles of Los Angeles, from which primordial gay life sprang. Authors Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons play archaeologists and dig deep to unearth the modern gay history of the City of Angels, which they view as having the longest gay carbon-dating on record, going back to 1880.

While most would associate San Francisco or New York City as being the gay metropolis, Faderman and Timmons beg to differ; writing that in terms of gay style, image and political affiliations, Los Angeles is a true pioneer. The collaborative duo have culled from more than 300 interviews of the famous and regular folk who populate this mecca, which offers up a unique perspective that combines social history with tales from the people who lived it.

Faderman is an award-winning author. Her works include Surpassing the Love of Men, Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers. Timmons has written for The Advocate, Frontiers, Vibe and Spin magazines. His book, The Trouble with Harry Hay, was a Book of the Month Club selection.

Christine Vachon (with Austin Bunn)

Simon & Schuster

$26.00, hardcover

Christine Vachon is an independent film producer who has produced gay favorites such as Far From Heaven, Boys Don’t Cry and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. In A Killer Life, Vachon chronicles her trailblazing rise from her first big break (editing the dailies for the film Parting Glances) to her position as one of Hollywood’s top female producers today.

A Killer Life is part memoir and part how-to manual for making it in a town that’s more concerned with box office tallies than artistic integrity. During her reign as a top movie producer, Vachon has amassed an impressive seven Oscar nominations, and even took on the M.P.A.A. regarding unfair ratings.

She is also the author of Shooting to Kill, and her writing has been described as “funny and insightful” by Hollywood maverick John Waters.