Join Barbara’s Bookstore, and members of the Owens Foundation, for an evening with Mark and Delia Owens, as they discuss their latest, most important, work—SECRETS OF THE SAVANNA: Twenty-three Years in the African Wilderness Unraveling the Mysteries of Elephants and People. Call Barbara’s Oak Park at 708.848.9140 for further details.

Greg (The Best Democracy Money Can Buy) Palast is back, and madder than ever at the government, in ARMED MADHOUSE: Who’s Afraid of Osama Wolf? China Floats, Bush Sinks, the Scheme to Steal ’08, No Child’s Behind Left, & Other Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Class War. Illustrated with dozens of photos and documents marked ‘secret’ and ‘confidential,’ that have walked out of file cabinets and into Palast’s hands, Madhouse is eye-opening and infuriating.

The road from sexual curiosity to coming out can be confusing. In SAME SEX IN THE CITY, Lauren Blitzer, and Lauren Levin, provide women—gay, straight, or bi—with insight into the advantages and challenges of being a lesbian. In honest, uplifting prose the Laurens relate their own experiences and those of other women, offer serious advice, titillating anecdotes, and a positive attitude for girls who know they’re gay-and for those who are not sure if their Prince Charming might be a Cinderella.

As anyone who has tried to drive around Downtown Oak Park lately already knows, a good bike can be your best friend. Not only are you getting healthier and helping the environment, but you can actually find a parking space! URBAN BIKERS’ TRICKS & TIPS, by David Glowacz (aka Mr. Bike) has everything you need to make biking a part of your everyday life. From how to wear a bike helmet without messing up your hair to how to keep your bike from getting stolen—ever—Mr. Bike has the answers you need.

What is Hyper Japanamerika? It’s music: J. pop, rock, HipHop, Electronica, Scratches and Mixes. It’s Gaming, open arcade style. It’s Cosplay, with prizes. It’s animation and movie marathons. It’s discounts on all of your manga and graphic novel needs and wants. It’s contests. It’s coffee. It’s Halo 2 and Guitar Hero. It’s a dessert and a floorwax (well, ok, maybe not those). Still not sure what HyperJapanamerika is? Then call us as 312.413.2665, or, even better, show up anytime between noon and 7pm to find out.

To Kill A Mockingbird may be the most read of the great, American novels, but its author, Harper Lee, has been a mysterious figure. Now Charles J. Shields brings her to life in MOCKINGBIRD. For the first time we meet the warmhearted, high-spirited woman who gave us two of literature’s most beloved characters-Atticus Finch and Scout-and who contributed so much to the success of her friend Truman Capote’s masterpiece, In Cold Blood.

On Earmuffle Avenue, the “quiet neighbors stayed in their quiet homes doing quiet things” until the Louds moved in and shattered the peace. Bring your little ones and join local author Carolyn (Boris and Bella) Crimi as she reads her new picture book, THE LOUDS MOVE IN. Find out how the Louds and their new neighbors learn to live together in harmony, if not in peace and quiet.

Join Barbara’s Bookstore and the University of Illinois Chicago as we celebrate the memory of Barney Ross, favorite son of Maxwell Street, boxing champion, World War II hero, addiction survivor, and pioneer. Ross biographer Douglas Century will be on hand, along with other luminaries of both the literary and boxing worlds. Please check barbarasbookstore.com for details of this exciting, day-long event, which will include amateur boxing, memorabilia from the Ross family, and a look into Maxwell Street’s colorful history.