We asked six Progress members what they are reading on their summer holidays.

You can read some of the Twitter responses here, or add yours by tweeting @ProgressOnline with the hashtag #SummerReading

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I’m reading Fifty Shades of Red – an account of a sado-masochistic relationship with the Labour party – seriously I’m reading biographies (auto- and otherwise) of Kenneth Baker, Douglas Hurd, David Waddington, Michael Howard and other former home secretaries for a book I’m researching and writing. Also on my reading list is Maajid Nawaz’s Radical – he is a brave campaigner against extremism having experienced racism in Essex, promoted jihad internationally and spent time in an Egyptian prison. I’ve saved Alan Hollinghurst’s The Stranger’s Child for my sunbed and a Scandi thriller or two to bring some chill to the heat of summer.

Jacqui Smith, former home secretary and ProgressOnline columnist

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First up, I’m going to take in Surrender: how British industry gave up the ghost by Nicholas Comfort. It’s a sorry tale of the UK’s loss of much of its manufacturing – what can it tell us about economic strategies in the future? Then it’s Debt: the first 5,000 years by David Graeber. He’s a guru to the Occupy movement but debt is going to be part of our national story for a while so I am interested in Graeber’s take. Then I’ll move onto Positive linking: how networks can change the world by Paul Ormerod. The clash of networks, institutions and social norms will also be a major feature of the future – with networks increasingly dominant. Alongside these, I’m going to read the third book of Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84. I’ve been addicted to Murakami – as a Japanophile among other things – since The Wind-up Bird Chronicle and still am.

Anthony Painter, writer

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Christopher Hitchens was one of our greatest polemicists and his collection of essays, Arguably, will be worth reading and thinking about. Since I’ll be in Greece I’m taking David Abulafia’s epic book The Great Sea: A human history of the Mediterranean. How people shaped this region, and how the region’s rich history has shaped us, is endlessly fascinating. I still haven’t read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s portrait of Abraham Lincoln’s genius for leadership, Team of Rivals, so that’s coming with me. I plan to edit the contributions for a new publication on how cooperative councils are putting people power at the heart of public services. And I’ll want to get lost in a novel or two so I’m taking Tessa Hadley’s The London Train and I’ll pick up a few more novels at the airport.

Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth council

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My summer reading list always includes at least one old favourite I’ve read before and want to revisit. The Political Brain by Drew Weston is one of the most important books every written on modern politics, revealing the difference between the emotional and rational decisions people make. The section analysing the Gore-Bush presidential debates are a particular treat, telling you what exactly Gore should have said.

My first academic love has always been history before politics and I’ve been looked forward to starting Ghosts of Empire by Conservative MP-turned-author Kwasi Kwarteng for a while. Britain’s imperial story is diverse and at times contradictory, and this book seems to understand that. Bringing our imperial story into the modern era, I’ll also be reading Cables from Kabul, by the UK’s former ambassador to Afghanistan Sherard Cowper-Coles.

Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde

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I find it amusing that people keep asking me what I’ll be reading over the summer. The implication seems to be that MPs swan about on beaches reading lengthy volumes! I can’t speak for others, but when parliament is in recess, is my time to be working in my Barnsley constituency! I will therefore be reading through a mass of casework files, letters from people all over the country, DCMS briefs and a reading pack from the House of Commons library. Once I’ve waded through this I do, however, hope to read something not directly related to politics!

I’m going to read Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey – it’s about the history of Wentworth Woodhouse in south Yorkshire, and was given to me by Labour’s chief whip on my first day in parliament. I’m also going to read I Bought a Mountain by Thomas Firbank – it’s about a hill farm in Snowdonia, and should help me forget about the Westminster bubble, at least for a bit!

Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central

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The Art of Speeches and Presentations by Phil Collins is a book which gives tips on effective speeches. As Tony Blair’s former chief speechwriter he comes with a significant pedigree. An endorsement from Daniel Finkelstein (himself an effective writer), gives effect to the ultimate compliment – praise from our opponents!

Nobody in politics can stop learning about the art of effective communication. Phil’s speeches at Progress events are always compelling, so I will read with interest.

For fun I shall reread Things Can Only Get Better by John O’Farrell (the comedian and former Spitting Image writer). The book brilliantly captures the pain of opposition during the Tory 1980s, and gently and hilariously observes how Labour campaigners, members and meetings operate. If you too are finding the current Tory years painful, read this book as therapy.

Paul Brant, deputy mayor of Liverpool

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Update: Thanks to the wonder of twitter many of our friends also told us about their summer reading. Tom Harris starts us off…

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Photo: Sergio Montijano