Banu Mushtaq’s book, Heart Lamp, has won the International Booker Prize this year. It is the first translation from Kannada and the first short story collection ever to get this honor. The book, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, tells stories about Muslim women living in south Karnataka with warmth and deep feeling. The stories show their dreams, hardships, and family ties. Mushtaq’s words speak against injustice and bring out voices often unheard, such as elderly women and those on the margins. Mushtaq is also known for her roles as a journalist, activist, lawyer, and council member. She is part of the Bandaya literary movement, which focuses on protest and change. In one story, an old tailor asks a grandmother a vast question: “Do you know, Jamaal Bi, why this whole world, the sun, the moon, the sky and stars have been created?” The grandmother replies, “Philosophy is not your exclusive property.” This highlights how small moments hold great meaning. Mushtaq said at the Booker ceremony, “No story is ever small... in the tapestry of human experience, every thread holds the weight of the whole.” Also noted is Robert Macfarlane’s book Is A River Alive?, which covers journeys along rivers in Ecuador, India, Canada, and the UK. Its vivid writing reminds readers of our deep connection with rivers and nature. Zara Chowdhary’s memoir The Lucky Ones shares the story of a Muslim family during the 2002 Gujarat riots. It is a bold and emotional book that captures the pain and courage of those times. These works together highlight powerful stories of people and places often overlooked.