NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Julianne Smith, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, about the latest Ukraine peace talks and Europe's role.

The U.S. and Russia met for hours Tuesday to discuss the peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Both sides called the talks "constructive," but no concrete steps were agreed upon.

Every year, we ask NPR staff and book critics to share their favorite titles in our annual Books We Love guide. Here are 8 ...