I've been sent Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, by Brian W. Kernighan. It will be published on 15th March 2017. I haven't finished reading it yet, but here are my impressions so far.

First, it's very comprehensive. It covers hardware, including what's actually inside a computer, bits and bytes, the central processing unit and other related matters. It also addresses algorithms, programming, software, networks, the world-wide web, data, information and privacy.

You can see the full table of contents using the 'Look Inside' feature on the book's page on Amazon.

Secondly, it's highly readable. I have almost zero tolerance for bad or boring writing: I literally almost decide that a book is not worth persevering with after reading one sentence, although I try to read at least a few pages just in case my first impressions are wrong. Well, this one had me hooked from the first sentence in the Preface, and the feeling continued through the Introduction, and in the ensuing chapter (on hardware). This is, in short, a book that you can read for pleasure as far as I can tell so far.

Thirdly, because it's so comprehensive and readable, I think I am going to end up recommending it to computing teachers, especially those who are new to the subject.

As they say, watch this space.