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Looking back on the year in jazz, much of the focus naturally falls on young talents such as Vijay Iyer. Still, some of 2009's key records also evoked bygone jazz eras with such creativity that they might signal a new wave of New Orleans and Brazilian jazz.

The city of Chicago has one more thing to boast about: Its hometown orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, has been named America's top orchestra in a new critics' poll published in the venerable British magazine Gramophone.

Correspondent Susan Stamberg gathers recommendations for the season's best books from booksellers Rona Brinlee, Daniel Goldin and Lucia Silva. Their selections include comics about philosophy, novels about building families, and a box set that dives into the process of writing.

At any given point in 2009, World Cafe host David Dye's Top 10 list would inevitably look different. So consider this a snapshot — and otherwise subject to change at any time. Some picks won't be new to most readers, but others qualify as left-field musical discoveries.

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to "Today" show co-host Sheinelle Jones about her new book, "Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom from Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans."

Also: Yahoo ousts its CEO; top Kony commander captured; John Edwards begins his defense; Greek leaders still struggling to form coalition.

People familiar with the situation tell The Wall Street Journal that the bank's losses from a risky trading scheme will continue to mount in coming quarters. They also say, Bloomberg News reports, that JPMorgan may close the office responsible.

How did the cars and the people inside end up in western Oklahoma's Foss Lake? That's still a mystery. The vehicles and those last seen in them went missing in the '60s and early '70s. They were found by chance when sheriff's deputies were testing sonar equipment.

From the ancient "Day of the Dead" melody to depictions of ghouls and witches, composers have long tapped into the dark side to serve up some deliciously devilish music.

Farai Chideya pays tribute to Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs, who died Friday at his Detroit home. He was 72 years old.

Also: Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf dies; Secretary Clinton is expected back at work next week; death toll from this week's winter weather reaches 17; former President George H.W. Bush wishes folks would "put the harps back in the closet."

Also: Peace envoy meets with Assad; woman in police uniform kills U.S. contractor in Kabul; snow could make post-Christmas travel tough in much of the nation; Sen. Mike Crapo, D-Idaho, faces drunk driving charge.