We’re kicking off a long, holiday weekend here in the U.S., as Monday is Memorial Day, but whether you’re plotting a getaway, some local BBQ action, or simply kicking back with a cool drink and a good read, I wish you a very wonderful few days. Those of you not anticipating an extra day off, use that weekend wisely and have a great time.

With that said, I offer up this week’s collection of links to keep you informed, entertained, and maybe even inspired. Despite the pending holiday, it’s been a newsy sort of week. One of the biggest stories going around is the dispute between Amazon.com and Hachette Publishing, that has led Amazon (who has been delaying delivery of Hachette titles) to pull the order buttons entirely from the publisher’s books, sending authors who were already frustrated into an uproar. So, in the spirit of supporting the little guy (by whom I mean the authors, not the corporations duking it out), I encourage you to take your book-buying to your favorite independent bookseller in lieu of giving your business to Amazon. And if you must order online, check out Powells.com.

Enjoy the links, and have a great weekend!

Amazon Ramps Up War Against Hachette – A little more information about the above referenced situation.

30 Diverse YA Titles to Get On Your Radar – Some really great sounding books, either out now or set to publish in the coming months.

Steamy Romance Novels Flushed with Color – On the rise of interracial relationships in romance novels.

Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians – The British Library has made a collection of Victorian and Romantic era writings and research materials, including notes from experts and documentaries, available online.

Summer Reading: 20 New Nonfiction Books that Will Make You Smarter – Really diverse list of titles with some fascinating sounding subjects.

First Novels: The Weird, Thrilling Trip through a Very Narrow Door – On the odds of getting a first novel published and all the reasons you should try anyway.