Crossword Genius

Flick through second book by Kipling (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

skim

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'flick through' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'second book by kipling' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'second' could be 's' (common abbreviation) and 's' is found within the answer.
'book' could be 'kim' (I've seen this before) and 'kim' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for skim that I've seen before include "Read cursorily" , "Move quickly (over a surface)" , "Read hastily" , "Remove surface layer" , "Bounce (a stone) over water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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