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The term "Chicago politics" gets bandied about whenever people complain about what they see as corruption and abuse of power. But what does it actually mean? These four books examine the city's hardball approach to politics through various lenses.

In fiction, Adam Johnson offers a view of life in North Korea under Kim Jong Il. In nonfiction, Ronald Kessler looks into the FBI's tactical operations teams, and Peter D. Ward explores the likely impact of our rapidly melting ice caps.

Amor Towles debuts with a crisp, 1930s Manhattan love story, while George Pelecanos and Sapphire return with novels that probe the dark sides of urban life. In nonfiction, Penn Jillette argues for atheism, and journalist Jane Gross reflects on caring for an aging parent.

Strong women abound in the media, but author Diana Lopez favors those who don't have inhuman courage, futuristic gadgets and superpowers. She recommends three books about average girls who are pushed to their limits. Who is your favorite fighting heroine? Tell us in the comments.

For Nancy Pearl, beach reading doesn't mean light reading. NPR's go-to librarian has dug up a diverse mix of titles old and new — a selection of mystery, memoir and more.

Lynn Neary talks to three critics about books you shouldn't miss. One critic says it's a particularly rich literary summer because in election years, publishers release the juiciest books before fall.

Novels from Mat Johnson, Hector Tobar and Ayad Akhtar bring fresh perspectives to racial and religious politics. In nonfiction, Mike Birbiglia chronicles his life as a comedian with a sleepwalking disorder and Steven Brill examines the standards-and-accountability school reform movement.

Thomas Frank analyzes the U.S. political divide, Siddhartha Deb looks into the heart of India, Emmanuel Carrere writes about the 2004 tsunami, and comic actress Mindy Kaling laughs at everything. In fiction, Britain's Alan Hollinghurst follows the evolution of English society.

Novelists Daniel Woodrell, Christopher Moore and Chuck Palahniuk confront the darker sides of life with varying degrees of humor, while writer Susan Orlean looks at the life of dog star Rin Tin Tin, and Wade Davis reassesses George Mallory's historic climbs on Mount Everest.

Per Petterson plumbs a mother and son's strained relationship, while William Gibson's near-future tale follows a canny businessman. In nonfiction, curator Edmund de Waal traces his family history through an heirloom collection of carvings, and Wayne Koestenbaum offers a meditation on humiliation.