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From the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation battle to Democrats winning back control of the House, these were the biggest political stories of the year that you picked.

Four recommendations from NPR's Book Concierge for books for kids and young adults.

Ehud Yonay wrote the 1983 magazine story that inspired the original Top Gun film. His widow and son say they recovered the copyright and that Paramount didn't secure the film rights before the sequel.

Four more former Iraqi officials are in U.S. custody. A total of 11 top officials of the deposed regime are now under arrest. In Baghdad, retired U.S. Gen. Jay Garner oversees a town-hall meeting on municipal leadership and security issues. And some Iraqi schools reopen. Hear NPR's Guy Raz and NPR's Scott Simon.

The latest rankings from the Women's Tennis Association are out. Two American women sit at the top of the top four rankings for the first time since Serena and Venus Williams did back in 2010.

Of 32 diets ranked by a panel convened by U.S. News & World Report, the DASH diet came out on top. Never heard of it? It's not a buzzword, but it's been around for a long time, and there's solid evidence that it works, not just for weight control but also to lower high blood pressure.

In softcover fiction, Jill McCorkle's cluster of retirees faces death with humor and sorrow. In nonfiction, Lawrence Wright peeks into the world of Scientology, Simon Garfield charts a history of maps, Jonathan Cott recalls his friendship with John and Yoko, Duncan Wall spins yarns about the circus and Mark Binelli welcomes us to his Detroit.

The Tops Friendly Markets grocery store opened on Jefferson Avenue on the East Side of Buffalo in 2003. It was a long road to get there.

Also: Russia walks back talk of shift in stance on Syria; UBS reported to be in talks about penalty; no deal yet on avoiding "fiscal cliff;" Ambassador Susan Rice explains why she said no.

Also: Homeless man given boots by New York cop chooses to go barefoot again; Russia urges North Korea to cancel planned rocket launch; Egypt's courts shut down.