Seasoned nonfiction writer Bonnie Friedman's first novel, Don't Stop, is an erotically charged story about ambition, desire, and the dangerous pursuit of self-knowledge. Take a stroll through her bookshelves as she highlights the classics that "half-invented" her and mirrored the "erratic" movement of her thoughts, as well as the "critically underrated" novel she recommends for its insights about shame. (continued)

An exhibition celebrating the 90th anniversary of the publication of the classic The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson, has opened at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass. Under the Cork Tree: The Story of Ferdinand runs until November 8.

---

"Discover the Copiale cipher: the mysterious 18th-century book that took 260 years to decode." (via Open Culture)

--- 

The value of reading: Mental Floss examined "7 rare first-edition books that are worth a fortune."

British poet Carol Rumens, "whose Guardian poem of the week column ran for nearly 20 years and was beloved among its loyal readership," died April 25 at age 81, the Guardian reported. Rumens's poems were published in over a dozen collections, including Animal People, De Chirico's Threads, and Blind Spots. She also wrote plays, fiction, criticism, and translated poetry. A collection of 52 poem of the week columns and their accompanying commentaries were published in a book titled Smart Devices. (continued)