Recently, comedian Ali Gul Pir offered fans a peek into his literary world, sharing both the books he’s finished and the ones eagerly awaiting their turn on his bedside table.
On his Instagram story this Monday, Pir revealed he’s read three and a half books so far — and couldn’t resist picking up three more to keep his momentum alive. Here’s a closer look at the titles shaping his current reading journey.
Currently Reading: “Pakistan Lost: Ideas on the Idea of Pakistan” by Shehzad Ghias
Pir is presently immersed in Pakistan Lost: Ideas on the Idea of Pakistan, written by fellow comedian Shehzad Ghias. Calling it a “very good book”, he admitted he’s nearly done with it, though he kept his deeper reflections close to the chest.
According to writer Nadeem Farooq Paracha, the book is “a pithy and precise study of Pakistan’s politics, polity, and nationalism” — an insightful exploration of the country’s tumultuous history and a plea to embrace history as a path toward inclusivity and progress.
It seems fitting that a social satirist like Pir would find resonance in a book that examines the soul of a nation still defining its own idea of self.
Recently Finished: “The Scatter Here Is Too Great” by Bilal Tanweer
Next on his list of completed reads is Bilal Tanweer’s The Scatter Here Is Too Great — a love letter, of sorts, to Karachi and its people. Pir described it as a book for those from Karachi who enjoy stories about southern Pakistan. He clarified it’s not a thriller, but a “slice-of-life” narrative with interwoven stories tied by the common thread of loss.
The novel itself dives deep into the lives of ordinary Karachiites — an old communist poet, his disillusioned son, a heartbroken storyteller, and a grief-stricken writer — all connected by a tragic bomb blast at the city’s train station.
Tanweer’s prose captures the city’s chaos and compassion in equal measure — a tapestry of lives scattered yet intertwined, much like Karachi itself.
“A Rising Man” by Abir Mukherjee
A self-proclaimed lover of murder mysteries, Pir found A Rising Man right up his alley. Set in Calcutta during the British Raj, the novel follows a Scotland Yard officer investigating the murder of a British man as the Indian Independence Movement brews in the background.
Pir gave it a solid 7.5 out of 10, praising it as “engaging and well-written.” A gripping tale of empire, intrigue, and identity, it’s easy to see why this historical whodunit caught his attention.
“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
Among all the books he’s finished, Pir declared The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides the best of the lot. A global bestseller, it’s a psychological thriller that twists and turns toward a finale few could predict.
Pir warned readers about a “slow stretch of 30–40 pages”, but said it’s well worth it for the shocking payoff. The novel tells the haunting story of a woman who stops speaking after committing an unthinkable act — and the therapist determined to uncover her silence. For Pir, it’s a page-turner that justifies every minute spent with it.
Next Up on His TBR (To Be Read) List
With his reading pace showing no signs of slowing, Pir has lined up three new books — and they promise an exciting mix of suspense, emotion, and true crime.
“We Are All Guilty Here” by Karin Slaughter
Pir’s ongoing hunt for gripping murder mysteries led him to Karin Slaughter’s We Are All Guilty Here. Set in the small town of North Falls, the story begins with the disappearance of two teenage girls on the night of the fireworks — shaking a community where everyone thought they knew everyone else. For Officer Emmy Clifton, the case is personal, and as she unravels the town’s secrets, she discovers how little she truly knew about the people around her.
As the blurb warns: “Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them?”
“Other Names for Love” by Taymour Soomro
Described by Pir simply as “a South Asian story,” Taymour Soomro’s debut novel Other Names for Love captures a boy’s transformative summer in rural Pakistan. It’s a tale of fathers and sons, of love and longing, and of the emotional awakenings that come with growing up — written in prose that’s as lyrical as it is haunting.
“Chaos: The Truth Behind the Manson Murders” by Tom O’Neill
Lastly, Pir’s curiosity led him toward the chilling corridors of true crime. After hearing author Tom O’Neill discuss his work on The Joe Rogan Experience, he picked up Chaos: The Truth Behind the Manson Murders.
The book is a journalist’s obsessive, two-decade quest to unravel the mysteries behind the infamous Manson Family murders — unveiling disturbing new theories that link the crimes to larger conspiracies involving the FBI and the CIA.
It’s a dark, riveting read that promises to challenge what readers think they know about one of America’s most infamous tragedies.
Final Thoughts
Ali Gul Pir’s reading list is as eclectic as his humor — a blend of intellect, curiosity, and the occasional dark twist. From reflections on Pakistan’s identity to stories of crime, chaos, and connection, his selections reveal a reader who values both thought and thrill. If books are windows into a person’s soul, then Pir’s bookshelf offers a fascinating view — one where laughter meets reflection, and curiosity never sits still.
