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Nina Bunjevac tackles two troublesome subjects in Fatherland: Her Serbian nationalist father, and the occasionally violent, extremist history of his country — all in a controlled, icy-cool style.

While still at university, J.R.R. Tolkien became fascinated by Finnish mythology, abandoning his Classics degree to adapt the epic Story of Kullervo — work that led to the creation of Middle Earth.

Valeria Luiselli, who was born in Mexico City and lives now in Harlem, released two slim, multinational books this year: the essay collection Sidewalks and her time-jumping novel Faces in the Crowd.

The Venetian painter Titian is one of the most enduringly influential artists of the Renaissance. Yet his last full biography was written in the 19th century. Sheila Hale's new book, Titian: His Life, contrasts the Italian master's quiet existence with that of the turbulent city that nurtured his talent.

Ellis Avery's novel The Last Nude imagines the hidden affair between art deco painter Tamara de Lempicka and her model Rafaela. From afar, the boldly colored paintings appear polished and cool-headed, but up close, Avery says, you can see they were created in a state of passion.

The Rapid Action Batallion fights crime and terrorism in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Human rights activists say 340 deaths attributed to the RAB are extra-judicial killings. But crime is down and ordinary citizens seem less concerned about a lack of due process.

The study estimated the tax income based on comparisons with Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, Illinois, Washington and Oregon where adult marijuana use is legal.

Bridget Jones hasn't aged well. At 51, she's the "geriatric mum" of two small children, and finds herself yearning to plunge back into dating. Critic Maureen Corrigan says if you're looking for jolly feminist cultural commentary, you'd be better off reading a witty "encyclopedia of lady things" from the creators of the website Jezebel.

In honor of the NCAA tournament and the official start of spring, Lev Grossman recommends the timeless The Canterbury Tales, while Tim Lane looks to the sports bio, Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich.

Writer Howard Norman's memoir focuses on particular people and moments. His stories contain disturbing incidents, from the murder-suicide of a mother and her young son in his family's home, to the accidental death of a swan. He also tells of a strange, frightening and humorous Inuit shaman he met in the Arctic.