Rather than wait until I've read books before reviewing them, I think a halfway house is to at least let people know about books and, if possible, my first impressions. My intention is to write full reviews of these in due course. I hope you find these snapshots useful and interesting.

Dickens' Journalism, by Michael Slater (Ed). Dickens started out as a journalist, and this is a collection of his articles. I've recently started to enjoy Dickens, after a few decades' ambivalence. The reason for that ambivalence, and that of my new-found enjoyment, are for another article.

When, by Daniel Pink. It's about the scientific secrets of perfect timing according to the subtitle, and draws on research in several disciplines. Sounds fascinating.

Hired, by James Bloodworth. The author spent half a year working undercover in low-paid jobs. From the short extract I've read so far, it sounds appalling. The low-paid sector, I mean, not the book.

The Written World, by Martin Puchner. I've just reviewed this for Teach Secondary magazine. It's a great read, covering the invention of writing, paper and literature. And there was I thinking there was nothing prior to Guttenberg!

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