Learn how to use the Christmas present! Make sure this week you have a go with the e-book reader. Choose a story you've not read before. Give me your opinions on your different reading experiences: book and screen.

Read some stories courtesy of The Phrase Finder. Try finding your favourite saying, or learn some new ones. I enjoyed Warts and all.

Learn two dozen new words. Words will always come in handy.

Try amenable, malleable, tractable, docile. I wish.

Type them into the search box at wordsmyth and see what you get.

This week you could also poke about Fact Monster and tell me if it's any use.

Short stories. I am a fan, 100%. The writing must be concise, the plot smartly delivered, the characters breathing in a trice.

Maybe I have a short attention span. Or not much time. Bah. Let us make a library visit. Those short stories will be creeping about the book shelves.