CHINA, INC. provides answers to the world's questions about how China is positioning itself as the next superpower. Veteran journalist and commodities trader Ted Fishman paints a vivid picture of the megatrends radiating out of China, from the output from vast, low-cost factories to the swelling appetite of its 1.3 billion consumers. Drawing on his own travels, and interviews with workers, managers and executives, the result is a richly engaging work of up-to-the-minute reporting and insightful analysis.

OTHER VOICES magazine has its finger on the pulse of modern literature - across all boundaries, be they of race, sex or class. Barbara's Bookstore is proud to present an evening with just a few of the writers featured in their latest issue: Molly McNett, a past winner of the Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction award, Daniel Libman, a 2001 Pushcart Prize winner, and Megan Martin, who teaches creative writing at Gallery 37.

Susan Jane (Kiss My Tiara) Gilman is back with HYPOCRITE IN A POUFFY WHITE DRESS: Tales of Growing up Groovy and Clueless, an original, entertaining collection of coming-of-age nonfiction. Whether it's being the girl in school that all the other girls were mean to, being uncool and white in a Puerto Rican neighborhood, or working for a supposedly feminist boss who ends up treating her female employees terribly, all women will relate to this wonderful collection about what it's like growing up as an American woman

The handsome, charismatic, philandering minister introduced by Kimberla Lawson Roby in Casting the First Stone and Too Much of a Good Thing is back again-but this time things are different. In THE BEST-KEPT SECRET Curtis has learned the true meaning of faith, love and responsibility and has met his match in his third wife Charlotte. He has mended his ways, however his past indiscretions will not go unpunished. A bit of divine justice is handed down when a terrible secret is revealed, and Curtis's life is more chaotic than ever before.

Barbara's is please to welcome back Gen Khedrub, of the Vajrayana Buddhist Center, to lead a book talk on HOW TO SOLVE OUR HUMAN PROBLEMS: The Four Noble Truths by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso-who has been his spiritual guide for many years. In this busy world experiences of happiness are fleeting and inner peace eludes us. Negative states of mind create endless problems. The Buddha's teachings on the Four Noble Truths offer a clear way to create an oasis of peace in our hearts.

In a galvanizing call to arms in the wake of the presidential election, an all-star line-up of leading progressive voices and cultural figures has joined together in this "instant book" urging opponents of the right to not give into despair and to launch an immediate counterattack. WHAT WE DO NOW is a series of passionate manifestos outlining new ideas for the post 11/2 world. Contributor and University of Chicago Law professor Martha Nussbaum will be on hand to lead what we hope will be a lively and invigorating evening.

Barbara's Bookstore and the University of Illinois Chicago are pleased to present a workshop and reading with Patricia Arnold, author of EARTH IS THE MOTHER OF ALL DRAMA QUEENS: Unmasking the Truth Behind Our Stories. Earth is the Mother is a must read for anyone brave enough to unmask the real reason they don't always seem to get what they deserve in life - and why they don't always deserve what they get. Brimming with profound insights and humorous storytelling, it's a truly delightful adventure.

In Dean Bakopolous's debut novel PLEASE DON'T COME BACK FROM THE MOON, the men vanish from a blue collar, Detroit neighborhood, one leaving a note- "I'm going to the moon, I took the cash." Chicago writer Rattawut Lapcharoensap's debut collection, SIGHTESEEING, shows contemporary Thailand through eyes that are generous and knowledgeable. This is a chance to see two writers at the beginning of what promise to be remarkable careers.