大象传媒

We're all thinking about our holidays, a break away from the drudgery of work and then you hear a ping that tells you there's an email and suddenly your heart sinks - it's your boss inviting you to your annual appraisal. That time of year when your manager takes you through the highs and lows of the past year. You'll then, no doubt, be asked about your aspirations for the year ahead, the areas where you think you could improve etc, and by this time you would gladly sign a confession and agree to a year in solitary rather than endure another moment. So, is there anything good to be said for this annual torture? Business consultant Linzi Conway joins Vinny along with trade unionist Bumper Graham.

Linzi and Bumper stick around for another chat later in the programme when they discuss retirement. For most of our lives there's a golden sunset always appearing ever further in the distance - it's a sunset of a golden time when you don't have to work - the yacht, tennis club, cocktails at six etc, often figure in the dreams that take us through many a grey winter morning. And then suddenly it's almost here, we've reached that age where it's no longer a dream but perhaps a frightening reality. How can you prepare to relax after 40 odd years of work? And should you ever stop working if you want to keep sharp?

Many of us will soon be heading for our summer holiday, which, apart from maybe a bit of sunburn, guarantees the last-minute search for a book or two to read during those endless delays at airports and ports and for those times when you'd quite like your nearest and dearest not to talk for at least three minutes. So, what are the page-turners for this year and what are those best left on the shelf? Liz Kennedy takes Vinny on a tour of the bookshelves.