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We tend to overlook all sorts of skills when we pick up a book; the work of our translator guest Sarah is just one example. But what about something more obvious- something that's staring us in the face? How do the words make it off the writer's pc or note book and onto the pages of our book? This is where the typesetters get involved; these unsung heroes make the page "work" for us. Falkirk based has done work for the likes of Stephen King and J K Rowling. I'll be happy if, after broadcasting Chris Kane's report on the business, just one listener feels better informed about the effort, and the art, involved in making our reading experience flow!

We love to introduce new talent to all the Cafes from time to time so it was a pleasure to put a poet on the menu. William Letford is a roofer from Stirling who will have his first book of verse published later this year by Carcanet. He recited three poems for us live, and I read the text while he did it. It was some feat! (not me reading along). You see, William recites all his work from memory and can internally edit them too. Show off! Actually that last bit isn't an insult- he's been known to stand up in a train carriage to address commuters (poetry in motion?). What really caught my ear was the way he used his poems to persuade. He told us about being short of cash and in dire need of a burger. He asked the woman at the counter of a burger bar if he could trade some verse for a bit of food. She refused, but he did it anyway. The burger was soon in his hands. That kind of skill can turn a girl's head!

Anyone tuning into Tuesday's Culture Cafe may have wondered if they had stumbled on a wayward edition of tv's current affairs flagship, Newsnight. The programme's Economics Editor Paul Mason has a book out with a nifty title "WHY IT"S KICKING OFF EVERYWHERE". It examines the factors behind a rash of global protests and revolts and it's not all politically motivated. There's the current financial crisis too. Paul's starting point on this voyage of discovery was bizarre: an invitation to deliver a lecture to a squat full of student protestors. He accepted and afterwards, he wrote it all up in a blog. Cue instant sensation! His blog went viral and kicked off ( sorry to extend your metaphor, Paul) a world wide internet debate. Technology clearly played a huge part in this; information control and dissemination is no longer the preserve of those in power, the state usually. Ordinary people from all walks of life, ( most of them young), could voice their concerns in real time and bring about change. As well as demonstrating in person on the streets, the disenfranchised could now reach like minded people around the world at the touch of a button. If you have any spare reading time, give this book a go. It's a commentary on our times, and they are certainly a-changing. .

For those who like to escape every day concerns about politics and economics, sound advice. Look UP! Draw inspiration from the sky at night. Ö÷²¥´óÐã TV is back with a second series of STARGAZERS and we had two guests on the show telling us about our long standing love in with the moon and the stars. You can quieten the most restless mind by pointing your face heavenwards and staring at the luminous silver orb that watches over us each night.A few years ago in South Africa, I had the great good fortune to be invited to look through one of the biggest, most powerful non- Nasa telescopes, owned by a wildlife park owner with a passion for astronomy. Amidst the roars of the lions, we took turns to identify stars that looked so close we could reach out and touch them. The sky over Johannesburg was as clear as I have ever seen and I will never forget the experience. On returning home, I wanted a telescope. I got one but frankly, its never been that impressive.. perhaps I should have taken the lens cap off more often...

PS: Another recommendation.. We had Louise and Jane Wilson on the Culture Cafe too. These artists are showing some interesting work at the if you get the chance to check it out. They took inspiration from two unlikely sources: a visit to the Chernobyl exclusion zone and the killing of a Hamas operative in a Dubai hotel room two years ago. This is cutting edge stuff from the Wilsons- I'm keen to see what they come up with next.