Fallout: New Vegas skill books

Skillbooks
Reading a skillbook permanently raises the corresponding skill by three points (four if you've taken the Comprehension perk).

Skill magazines
Skill magazines temporarily raise the corresponding skill by a few points, but wear off after a while. They are much more common than skillbooks.

- Today's Physician

Effect currently unknown. as seen at 2:19 into this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ab8-UKW6-A&feature=related