I'm not a prolific writer. I'd like to be. But when I try to, for reasons of improving my writing skills, or to set down any of a number of swirling, ceaseless ideas, my worst procrastinatory issues come to the fore. I watch old sitcoms. I twiddle my thumbs. Anything to get away from that desperate, hungry screen.
Most of all, I read books. Any books, all books. I'm a voracious reader, and an appreciator of those who can write seemingly effortlessly and beautifully (whilst damning them for their abilities, obviously). As such, I checked Daily Kos for any kind of book-related content (apart from the interesting book reviews that pop up every now and then on the main page), and came across Mark Sumner's book club stuff, which interested me, although I was a little too reserved to contribute.
But reading isn't exactly why we're here, is it?
We're here as politically active and engaged individuals, fighting for a better, more inclusive, more prosperous, more enlightened, more progressive world. As such, politics is important to us.
So why not a Political Book Club? Reading works of political philosophy, practical political analysis, historical political developments, etc. Discussing how these books, new or old, can relate to us and the way we do politics. Engaging political thought in a critical fashion. But most of all, having fun! (At this point I must point out an ulterior motive; I'm a massive non-fiction geek. Although I love to read fiction, my first love is and always is factual material; history, politics, philosophy, public policy especially.)
So what does everyone think? I'd like feedback as to how plausible this might be, what timeframe would be suitable for looking at one book in particular, how often we would "meet" to discuss (at the very least, I'd like to do this semi-regularly, maybe fortnightly or even weekly?), and most importantly, what books people would like to look at for a starter?
I look forward to hearing people's ideas.