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Critic Alan Cheuse likes his books thoughtfully plotted — and 2011 has made him a happy reader. A tiger haunts, a teen flees, ballplayers dream and vampires reign in beautifully conceived stories from new and distinguished authors.

These character-driven novels featuring fracturing families, intrepid scientists and one very plucky early American heroine will spark lively debate on everything from the unreliability of memory to scientific ethics.

Writer and reviewer Will Hermes shares his favorite albums of the past year. Hermes is a frequent contributor to NPR's 'All Things Considered' and writes for 'Spin' magazine, 'The New York Times' and 'Entertainment Weekly.' He's also the co-editor of 'Spin: 20 Years of Alternative Music.'

Nancy Barnes, NPR's newsroom leader, announced her forthcoming departure as the network moves to create a new executive to oversee both the news and programming divisions.

WBGO’s Lee Mergner shares his choices for the best jazz memoirs, including works by Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Art Pepper and others.

Mayawati Kumari is the chief minister of one of India's largest and poorest states. She's also the richest woman in India and one of the best known. Now there's talk about her possibly becoming the country's next prime minister.

Ukraine's bookstores have expanded despite the war, fueled by interest in works by Ukrainian writers, some who have been killed by Russian forces. But a Russian missile struck a top printing plant.

Emergency responders kept hope alive as they combed through fallen trees and other debris that littered hard-hit central Texas communities on the fifth day after devastating floods killed more than 100.

Thanks to the inclusion of several gigantic hits like "WAP" and "Up" that had never appeared on an album, Cardi B's Am I the Drama? was guaranteed platinum status before it was even released.

Even after their babies died, hospital bills kept coming. These parents of fragile, very sick infants faced exorbitant bills — though they had insurance. "The process was just so heartless," one says.