@darren The character is uniquely assigned to your Facebook profile so cannot be changed, but we do plan to add the facility to change the character name at a credit cost.
The missions aren't related to stats but some missions are related to your ship. For example the cargo transfer missions will only show missions in which you can physically fit the cargo into your hold, so the bigger hold you have on your ship the more selection you will see. They are also based on location, being between stations (effectively a trade route) has a much higher chance of transfers missions to offer.
The books are one way to improve skills, if your character decides to read one a skill will increase. Characters tend to read books if they interested in them, for example if your character is the battle-hardened android she may not be interested in interior ship carpeting. However if the character gets really bored he or she may choose to read it still.
@Soul Keeper Indeed, the missions are created by the NPC factions themselves, so no human input, but they vary in reward depending on the type of cargo, the amount and the distance to be transported.
@Mastodont The stock at the shipwright like all merchants is refreshed once an hour, the buy button should be shown after you select more info about a ship, I take it this is not appearing for you?