A short book of lasting impact (it was first published over 60-years ago), Why I Write (Penguin Great Ideas) by George Orwell is a quick and easy read. It really isn’t so much about why he writes (though the first section does deal with some of that), but is rather a collection of thoughts and stories.

Much of it is out of date (his reflections on a future Marxist overthrow of England seems ridiculous now), but it is still interesting. The story about the execution in India is haunting.  The opening, which reveals a bit of his childhood and gives the basis for why he writes, is fun.  Throughout it all you realize that Orwell was simply a fantastic writer.

I can’t really recommend this book … it’s dated and won’t offer much to most readers.  But I’m glad I read it.