There's even a suggested reading list for guests so they can brush up on their destinations before sailing off.

CNN: A cruise for everyone: 7 themed sailings

On the suggested reading list his staff has sent out in response to the many inquiries he receives, there are only two authors: Hawking and Ferguson.

FORBES: The Universe and Mrs. Ferguson

Stocks were hobbled a bit on Friday by a soft reading on consumer confidence, but several analysts said recent consumer spending suggested that the economic impact of that confidence reading would be minor.

WSJ: Snap! There Goes Dow's Streak

In America, a similar study suggested chess improved children's reading and writing skills, and led to chess being placed on the curriculum in New Jersey.

ECONOMIST: Mind games

Expand your reading geographically too, Douthat suggested, plugging the London Review of Books.

FORBES: Resolving to Read Out of the Box

Speaking at the inaugural Reading Agency Lecture at the British Library, Winterson suggested the cost could be met by Google, Amazon and Starbucks.

BBC: Jeanette Winterson calls for library expansion

Perez wouldn't give away any plot details but suggested that the movie -- researched through "a cursory reading of the Steve Jobs Wikipedia page" -- will be ridiculous enough that it won't run the risk of offending fans of Jobs', who died in October 2011.

CNN: Funny or Die making spoof Steve Jobs biopic

Final quarter-over-quarter US GDP figures surprisingly dropped to a reading of 2.7% showing the recovery may not be as strong as previously suggested.

FORBES: Euro Teeters, Pound Bulls May Be Exhausted