What was the last book you read?

[Kashif]

Just finished reading "Unimagined". An honest, warm and humourous biographical account of the life of a 2nd generation Pakistani Muslim "Imran Ahmad" living in England. Highly recommend it.

http://www.unimagined.co.uk/

 

[iZeeshan]

Great thread! Really need some good books to read these days...

I just read Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Moth Smoke by Mohson Hamid was the last book i read, took me ages to read that aswell. Was a decent book overall

Need to buy a new book or two, will pay close attention to this thread

 

[Kashif]

I have suddenly rediscovered the delight of reading a good old book. Going through a book phase and buying lots of books these days. Anyone heard of Tariq Ramadan?

 

[Ghoshtbuster]

Im half-way through "Ishmael", by Daniel Quinn.

Some interesting thoughts on civillisation.

 

[Amoeba]

Reading my old mucker Wasim Khan's autobiography.

 

[Amoeba]

Just finished reading "Unimagined". An honest, warm and humourous biographical account of the life of a 2nd generation Pakistani Muslim "Imran Ahmad" living in England. Highly recommend it.

http://www.unimagined.co.uk/

Comes across as a bit of a brown sahib in the promotion and has an event with the City Circle.....oh dear!

Enjoyable read nonetheless I presume.

 

[BroskiBeat]

I read breeaking the time barrier by a woman i cant remember her name. Very invteresting though talks about various ways in which it may be possible for time travel. If your in to that sort of thing its definately worth reading as isnt too technical and you dont need much background knowledge

 

[Shayan]

I'm getting into books by John Grisham these days.. read about 3 in the last week!

 

[Mutazalzaluzzaman Tarar]

can't even remember... why read books when you can watch TV instead?

nowadays, I come to Pakpassion to get my requisite daily fill of intellectual stimulation. I learn about cricket AND about life.

some gems: Afridi should be Pak captain because we need an aggressive captain. Atif Aslam is Pakistan's greatest singer. democracy will never work in Pakistan, hence, we should stick to military dictatorships. all women are inferior to Uncle Jayed (and all Pakistani men?) as a hadith dictates.

 

[Oxy]

I am unable to read books!

Cannot do it. I cannot understand the purpose of fiction. If its not real or made up, I dont see the purpose behind it.

If I do read, its ONLY autobiographies of LEGENDS - like Ali, Imran, Pele etc.

I must have read EVERY book on/by/about Mohd Ali!

I need some help on this front. Would like to be able to pick up a book and read it - any help?

 

[Shayan]

I am unable to read books!

Cannot do it. I cannot understand the purpose of non-fiction. If its not real or made up, I dont see the purpose behind it.

If I do read, its ONLY autobiographies of LEGENDS - like Ali, Imran, Pele etc.

I must have read EVERY book on/by/about Mohd Ali!

I need some help on this front. Would like to be able to pick up a book and read it - any help?

I think you mean fiction.

 

[Oxy]

I think you mean fiction.

Amended. Any suggestions for a beginner reader?

 

[hasbeen]

last book i read was imran khans book- all round view. before that the last book i read was 6-7 years ago which was roy keanes book

 

[Zechariah]

Da Vinci Code

 

[Ghoshtbuster]

Amended. Any suggestions for a beginner reader?

Catcher in the Rye.

Good story, with good characters.......and its not difficult to read.

 

[JammydodgA]

Amended. Any suggestions for a beginner reader?

Not sure about Catcher in the Rye (I thought it was slightly odd, maybe I missed the whole point of the book....)

I'd recommend Harry Potter! Read it with ur kids

 

[Ghoshtbuster]

Not sure about Catcher in the Rye (I thought it was slightly odd, maybe I missed the whole point of the book....)

I'd recommend Harry Potter! Read it with ur kids

Hmm...i remember it being the first book i liked in school.

Not into H Potter....but everyone says they are good.

 

[MCMLXXXII]

Reading several books at once at the moment.

Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources
This book is by Martin Lings and I believe it is the best Seerah book out there. I have read it before but I am reading it again right now. It is not just the story about the prophet but more of a history of all of early Islam. It talks about a lot of people and sometimes it gets confusing to keep track of all the people that have been mentioned but the narrative is amazing and it is wonderful to read.

The Bourne Legacy
This book is a continuation of the Jaosn Bourne series but this is not written by Robert Ludlum. I don't find it even half as exciting as the other Bourne books. This author is crap. There was a reason why people loved Ludlum's books, and it wasn't just the characters.

I bought the complete Sherlock Holmes collection and have been reading the stories on and off. It is good that the stories are short and I can read one story and then put the book down and pick it up later. It has been sitting there for the last couple of weeks though.

 

[Shayan]

Amended. Any suggestions for a beginner reader?

The Alex Rider series of books is really good. The first book is called Stormbreaker, and there was a film made on it as well.

 

[Easa]

I'm in the process of reading 'Oliver Twist' - good read so far. I'm really, really into reading - I read way above my level sometimes but thats okay..

 

[Osman]

directions to the toilet... at the shopping mall.

 

[MCMLXXXII]

I'm in the process of reading 'Oliver Twist' - good read so far. I'm really, really into reading - I read way above my level sometimes but thats okay..

Is that the picture book edition? What reading level are you at?

 

[Medic]

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings

 

[The Blazer]

Currently reading "The Pig That Wants To Be Eaten and 99 Other Thought Problems." Don't ask.

 

[The Blazer]

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings

Is this the first time you're reading LOTR?

 

[Medic]

Yep why??

 

[The Blazer]

Yep why??

Just asking, because I read FOTR at 11.

 

[ZM]

is the book exactly the same as the films. Am i missing much if i dont read the books?

 

[Medic]

Just asking, because I read FOTR at 11.

What are you trying to say??

 

[The Blazer]

What are you trying to say??

Nothing. Nothing at all.

 

[Easa]

Is that the picture book edition? What reading level are you at?

No, its the one by Charles Dickens.

 

[The Blazer]

is the book exactly the same as the films. Am i missing much if i dont read the books?

Yes you are. The films were awesome; but the books are even better.

 

[Sean]

Well, I don't know.
But I'm currently reading Steve Waugh: Out of my comfort zone.
800 pages long. Very interesting. He wore a protector on his knees in his first ever match.

 

[The Blazer]

Well, I don't know.
But I'm currently reading Steve Waugh: Out of my comfort zone.
800 pages long. Very interesting. He wore a protector on his knees in his first ever match.

Wow. Unbelievable!

 

[Sean]

Yes I know. And he really hated his first tour of Pakistan. They were going to abandon the tour and go back to Aus. Because the umpiring was really bad.

 

[iZeeshan]

I'm getting into books by John Grisham these days.. read about 3 in the last week!

Same! Fantastic author he is!

Which ones did you read?

I read The Street Lawyer and The Broker. The Broker is simply PERFECT. Just a wonderful novel!

 

[iZeeshan]

is the book exactly the same as the films. Am i missing much if i dont read the books?

Yes you are. The books are just miles ahead of the movies, especially in LOTR and Harry Potter.

 

[The Blazer]

Yes I know. And he really hated his first tour of Pakistan. They were going to abandon the tour and go back to Aus. Because the umpiring was really bad.

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Obeid]

Same! Fantastic author he is!

Which ones did you read?

I read The Street Lawyer and The Broker. The Broker is simply PERFECT. Just a wonderful novel!

Read the broker last year...was a decent read. But I heard from other Grisham fans that some of his other novels were better. Was a great book though. Last book I read was The Color of Water...had to read it for summer assignment. Currently reading "The Prince" my Niccolò Machiavelli for my AP European History assignment.

 

[J-Essence]

Great thread! Really need some good books to read these days...

I just read Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

i don't read as much as i should, but i read this book and it was so engaging that i had to stay awake at night to finish it......this book probably got me the closest to building tears in my eyes....such a good writer...can't wait to read his new book...i greatly recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet...

 

[thesaurusrus]

I read breeaking the time barrier by a woman i cant remember her name. Very invteresting though talks about various ways in which it may be possible for time travel. If your in to that sort of thing its definately worth reading as isnt too technical and you dont need much background knowledge

I think it was Jenny Randles, i read it in 2003 two years before she wrote it.

 

[Zeenix]

Well the last book that i finished is Concrete Architecture of the Linux Kernel. A wonderful book

 

[UJ]

'Spots First Walk'...highly recommend it.

 

[MCMLXXXII]

Well the last book that i finished is Concrete Architecture of the Linux Kernel. A wonderful book

Oh that reminds me of the Unix Haters Guide I read couple of years ago. I still have it in PDF, I would really recommend it. Highlights all your grievances with Unix, is lots of fun and very entertaining to read.

 

[MCMLXXXII]

Same! Fantastic author he is!

Which ones did you read?

I read The Street Lawyer and The Broker. The Broker is simply PERFECT. Just a wonderful novel!

I have read the street lawyer, the firm, the pelican brief, the chamber, the runaway jury and the brethren. Haven't read him for a while and none of the recent stuff.

 

[Zeenix]

Oh that reminds me of the Unix Haters Guide I read couple of years ago. I still have it in PDF, I would really recommend it. Highlights all your grievances with Unix, is lots of fun and very entertaining to read.

Well i have no grievances with Linux and if i find any shortcomings, i try to code my way through it.

 

[Mercenary]

I just finished Winter Warriors by David Gemmell. Gemmell is the King of the fantasy genre, no doubt about it!!

Before that I read Small Gods by Terry Pratchett which also comes recommended!

 

[Zeenix]

Merc: Try 1000*N reasons why windows should never be installed

 

[PlanetPakistan]

Hyperspace and Kite Runner.

 

[PlanetPakistan]

I am unable to read books!

Cannot do it. I cannot understand the purpose of fiction. If its not real or made up, I dont see the purpose behind it.

If I do read, its ONLY autobiographies of LEGENDS - like Ali, Imran, Pele etc.

I must have read EVERY book on/by/about Mohd Ali!

I need some help on this front. Would like to be able to pick up a book and read it - any help?

I don't read fiction either but you have to respect the creativity of some of these writers.

 

[zMario]

We have a lot of geeks on PP, at least I can SAFELY say, that I don't read

 

[Zeenix]

We have a lot of geeks on PP, at least I can SAFELY say, that I don't read

Well you are a writer and you got some famous interviews under your belt.

 

[Joseph K.]

We have a lot of geeks on PP, at least I can SAFELY say, that I don't read

Can you read?

Last book I read (heard) was Memoirs of a Geisha (link) . I am too busy hoarding audio books these days plus a colleague accompanies me on my drive to work. All that time I used to spend listening to audio books. Can't do it any more.

 

[iZeeshan]

i don't read as much as i should, but i read this book and it was so engaging that i had to stay awake at night to finish it......this book probably got me the closest to building tears in my eyes....such a good writer...can't wait to read his new book...i greatly recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet...

Agreed. It really did bring me to tears. Fantastic author it was. That main characted made me SICK until the end. Just a great read.

 

[iZeeshan]

We have a lot of geeks on PP, at least I can SAFELY say, that I don't read

Reading isn't just for geeks bro. Don't think that reading makes you a geek, because it really doesn't. The hottest girl in our school is a books fanatic. And don't make a crack about I have bad taste in thinking who is hot, because that's not going to get you away this time.

 

[Awesome Anjum]

The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam (Iqbal)

 

[Punter]

Steve Waugh's autobiography

 

[Mercenary]

Merc: Try 1000*N reasons why windows should never be installed

If I ever pick up a book like that then please shoot me!

 

[Sheikh_Ji]

Well, I don't know.
But I'm currently reading Steve Waugh: Out of my comfort zone.
800 pages long. Very interesting. He wore a protector on his knees in his first ever match.

I finished that a couple of weeks back. V good read, really impressed by the details Steve Waugh went into.

Today i finshed a book on the U2 lead Singer Bono (conversation with Mischka Asayas). Also a very good read. I'm very impressed by the work done by Bono (outside the music industry ie)

 

[J-Essence]

has anyone read "pervez musharraf's autobiography at in the Line of Fire" ? i stated reading it, and enjoyed it till he started talking about politics..stopped reading it......i plan on finishing it but too busy with classes...

PS: i am also curious if anyone has read "The Dancing Girls of Lahore," its suppose to be a true experience of a foreigner who lived in Lahore for a long time in order to write this book.

 

[PlanetPakistan]

has anyone read "pervez musharraf's autobiography at in the Line of Fire" ? i stated reading it, and enjoyed it till he started talking about politics..stopped reading it......i plan on finishing it but too busy with classes...

PS: i am also curious if anyone has read "The Dancing Girls of Lahore," its suppose to be a true experience of a foreigner who lived in Lahore for a long time in order to write this book.

is that the only thing that you are busy with?

 

[J-Essence]

is that the only thing that you are busy with?

haha...well not really, but life is throwing a few inswing and out swings at me at the moment.....not quite used to it....one thing is forsure, i am begining to enjoy going to work....i can't wait till i go to work again....

 

[Kashif]

Just ordered the below books from Amazon:

"Half of a Yellow Sun" Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie;

"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" Mohsin Hamid;

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" Khaled Hosseini;

"The Kite Runner: Khaled Hosseini;

"Taliban: Islam, Oil and the New Great Game in Central Asia" Ahmed Rashid;

"Tunnels" Roderick Gordon; Brian Williams;

"Saladin and the Fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem" Stanley Lane-Poole;

"In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad" Tariq Ramadan.

 

[Hakim]

Comes across as a bit of a brown sahib in the promotion and has an event with the City Circle.....oh dear!

Enjoyable read nonetheless I presume.

I saw Imran Ahmad on the television and again at a book festival. He made the audience laugh whenever he wanted to. He comes across as articulate and intelligent.

I read Unimagined and it's like the definitive young Pakistani Muslim experience in Britain and it's funnier than you can imagine. He seemed to know every dilemma I ever had and wrote it with excruciating honesty.


The website is really good. http://www.unimagined.co.uk/

Not sure why this would make him a 'brown sahib'.

 

[cornelius]

Just ordered the below books from Amazon:

"Half of a Yellow Sun" Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie;

"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" Mohsin Hamid;

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" Khaled Hosseini;

"The Kite Runner: Khaled Hosseini;

"Taliban: Islam, Oil and the New Great Game in Central Asia" Ahmed Rashid;

"Tunnels" Roderick Gordon; Brian Williams;

"Saladin and the Fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem" Stanley Lane-Poole;

"In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad" Tariq Ramadan.

Kashif, when youve read the "Saladin" book by Stanley pole, please lemme know how it was. thanks.

 

[Joseph K.]

Kashif, when youve read the "Saladin" book by Stanley pole, please lemme know how it was. thanks.

Do people still read Lane-Poole? I remember reading him for my 2nd year Islamic History coursework in '87. A right old-timer, you've got there.

 

[cornelius]

Do people still read Lane-Poole? I remember reading him for my 2nd year Islamic History coursework in '87. A right old-timer, you've got there.

hmm, dont really know, to be honest i know about S.L.Pole but ive never actually read his books. none if them. but ive heard good things. and he always pops up here and there as a refference, but yes, a real old timer. Cant say how good he was though, should see for myself.

 

[iZeeshan]

Just ordered The Thousand Splendid Suns, A Path Unimagined, Moth Smoke, and The Reluctant Fundamentalist from amazon. Really looking forward to reading all those books after my pathetic summer reading

Any other good books out there?

 

[Mercenary]

I finished Winter Warriors by David Gemmell a few weeks ago. It was a great tale and wonderfully written, just like all his other books.

I'm currently wondering which of the following books to read...

* The Secret of the Hittites by C W Ceram
* Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
* A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens (dont remember much from it when I last read it over a decade ago))
* The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula K Le Guin

Hmmm...

 

[Easa]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows..

 

[pakistani_banda]

eldest the second book by christopher paolini. i have almost completed my harry potter book 7.

 

[Sheikh]

Dubliners, James Joyce.


Moving on to Dante's ''Inferno' next.'

 

[Oxy]

Harry Potty and the Diaper of Doom

 

[Joseph K.]

Dubliners, James Joyce.


Moving on to Dante's ''Inferno' next.'

I read Dubliners back in 1990, excellent starting point for reading Joyce. That last story, the one about a dead musician is very touching. The Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man shows Joyce at his best. Moving on to Ulysses and Finnegans Wake is not necessary but can be done for the sake of a sense of achievement. I had to read Ulysses twice, first to understand TS Eliot's 'mythical method' and second time as a part of my syllabus while studying at the University of London. I read Inferno while studying TS Eliot, back in 1990, as well. Those were the days of leisure and freedom. I read Inferno in one sitting at the Punjab University Library, New Campus, one hot summer day. I think no one has read Inferno here otherwise a fatwa would have been issued by now against the author as well as the readers!

 

[pakistani_banda]

just completed harry potter and the deathly hallows. i say it is one work of art. the way jk rowling weaves the story sis just amazing. im sad that this is teh last book in the series.

now i will inshAllah start to read charmed life by diana wynne jones. i have read a number of titles by diana and i have to say she has a class, her books r quite good.

 

[Daoud]

I think no one has read Inferno here otherwise a fatwa would have been issued by now against the author as well as the readers!

Havent read it but know about the contentious issue. Time to exhume his remains!

 

[iZeeshan]

Harry Potty and the Diaper of Doom

The 8th Book?! How did you get a copy of it!? When did it come out! Oxy, please tell me where to buy it!

 

[the Great Khan]

mnnh:

just read Horus Heresy: Fulgrim
currently reading Harry potter and the order of the Pheonix..(yes i am behind a bit..lol)

 

[the Great Khan]

ive read lane pooles saladin..and am currently working on a website about Muslim history which includes some excerpts for those interested....oh by the way anyone who's a muslim history buff please email me as i need help..