Fussy’s favorites: the Fourth of July edition

Happy Fourth of July, no matter how you’re spending it!

(We definitely hope it involves a book, however.)

Instead of sharing our favorite news stories from the past week, today we'll share the best of the blog's Independence Day-related posts (plus a few bonus links).

We hope you enjoy the thematic selections, and we'll be back on Monday with a regular version of the Fussy favorites!

Reading recommendations - fiction

• "Dear Black America": A letter from Tracy K. Smith

• Stock up on books for the Fourth of July

• Author Q&A: Salina B. Baker

Reading recommendations - nonfiction

• First Conspiracy author dishes on plot to kill George Washington

• Biography seeks greater credit for Founding Father Benjamin Rush

• Patriotic pitmasters: Pick up this BBQ cookbook for the Fourth of July

Literary learning

• They declared independence ... and their love of reading

• Enjoy these Fourth of July factoids