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In the 2008 financial crash, a lot was written in newspapers and even books — but there wasn't much fiction out there to help those who like to view life through an imaginative lens. Now author John Lanchester's Capital can fill that void. It describes the crash as seen from London, and Lizzie Skurnick calls it "brilliant."

Historian Antony Beevor's new book uncovers telling details about the 20th century's greatest conflict, beginning with the unlikely story of a Korean conscript who was captured by almost every army involved in the war, before eventually ending up in Illinois.

The romantic power of words has the uncanny ability to lead us through the aches and pains of growing up. Author Leah Hager Cohen recommends Brian Hall's The Saskiad, a coming-of-age tale with a bookish twist.

It's hard to remember now, but MTV did once play music videos all day. A new oral history recalls that golden age, and the network's meteoric rise to the top of the music industry.

In Ways of Forgetting, Ways of Remembering: Japan in the Modern World, historian John Dower examines how culture and propaganda have shaped politics in the U.S. and Japan. He also explores the idea that how and what we remember can affect how we view history and the present.

U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad outlines the process for a gradual withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Meanwhile, the military announced the deaths of seven Marines killed Monday.

India and Pakistan are warily inching towards peace, after three wars and nearly 60 years of hostility. But it's far from peaceful on the border. Each night tourists gather on either side for a competitive shouting match, complete with a choreographed military ceremony.

Severe weather in Europe has caused massive transportation problems for travelers. Roads are blocked, flights have been canceled, and rail services disrupted by heavy snow. Three of London's airports were closed for a time, hitting many trans-Atlantic travelers. There's been criticism that the private companies running some of the busiest airports in the world have failed to invest enough in snow-clearing equipment.

Pakistanis are observing Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, one of the holiest occasions on the Muslim calendar. NPR's Phil Reeves has this postcard.

San Francisco will host the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference beginning next weekend. What's expected from the event, and what are the benefits and challenges for the host city?