MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Booker Prize is one of the most celebrated literary awards in the world, shining a light on the best novels written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. Established in 1969, it has grown into a global marker of literary excellence. It has helped launch authors’ careers, spark conversation about storytelling, and shape what so many of us reach for on our bookshelves.
Why the Booker Prize matters to readers
For many readers, the Booker Prize isn’t just an award ceremony—it’s a trusted way to discover great fiction. A book that makes the longlist, shortlist, or wins outright instantly earns a spot on many “to-be-read” (TBR) lists. And, as our reading allies attest, the prize points us toward stories worth our time.
Take Nique Jardiolin (@chroniqled on IG and FB), who loves how the Booker Prize introduces her to new, relevant literature. “Whenever I see that a book has been longlisted for the Booker Prize, may it be in the current year or from past years, I am immediately interested in it,” she says.
Recent winners of the Booker Prize highlight the award’s breadth and inclusivity—showcasing authors from across the globe, writing in diverse genres, and exploring themes that span politics, identity, family, migration, and more. Some recent examples include Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other (2019 co-winner), which celebrated Black British women’s voices through the lives of 12 women, and Damon Galgut’s The Promise (2021 winner), which painted a piercing portrait of South African history through the lens of a single family.
For Geisha Sabayle (@bookxchild on IG), the magic of the Booker Prize lies in how it celebrates great writing and stimulates discussion around contemporary fiction. “I love how the Booker Prize celebrates the written word, amplifies diverse voices, and offers recognition where it’s due. There are so many underrated books that need to be spotlighted, and the Booker Prize never fails to choose thought-provoking, beautifully written fiction,” she explains.
Booker Prize-winning novels to add to your TBR
The winner of this year’s Booker Prize will be revealed on November 10, 2025. While we wait for this year’s winner, dive into these five books that have won the prize in previous years, plus three more that made this year’s longlist. These choices are brought to you by Fully Booked, your gateway to the best in local and international literature.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Winner, 1997 Booker Prize (Literary Fiction)
Arundhati Roy’s debut novel follows fraternal twins Rahel and Estha as they navigate their childhood in 1960s Kerala, India, and later reunite as adults. The story delves into family dynamics, love, and societal divisions through Roy’s lush and lyrical prose. The God of Small Things is a poignant meditation on memory, loss, and the quiet forces that shape our lives.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Winner, 2002 Booker Prize (Fantasy and Adventure Fiction)
Yann Martel’s Life of Pi tells the extraordinary tale of Pi Patel, who survives a shipwreck only to find himself stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. It is both an adventure and a philosophical reflection on faith, truth, and the resilience of the human spirit. The novel’s success extended to the screen, with the 2012 film adaptation winning four Academy Awards, including Best Director.
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Winner, 2012 Booker Prize (Historical Fiction)
In this second installment of her acclaimed Tudor trilogy, Hilary Mantel captures the political machinations and moral complexities of Thomas Cromwell’s life as advisor to Henry VIII. Bring Up the Bodies vividly recounts Anne Boleyn’s downfall, offering readers an immersive and psychologically rich portrayal of power, ambition, and betrayal.
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Winner, 2019 Booker Prize (Literary Fiction)
A sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments revisits the dystopian Republic of Gilead fifteen years later. Told through the voices of three women—Aunt Lydia, Agnes Jemima, and Daisy—it explores resistance, complicity, and courage within an oppressive regime. Atwood’s masterful storytelling underscores the enduring relevance of her themes.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
Winner, 2022 Booker Prize (Fantasy/History/Political Satire)
In this inventive and darkly humorous novel, Shehan Karunatilaka tells the story of Maali Almeida, a deceased war photographer who wakes up in the afterlife with seven days to solve his own murder and expose the truths of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Blending magical realism with biting political commentary, it is a powerful reflection on mortality, justice, and truth.
Booker Prize 2025 Longlisted Novels
One Boat by Jonathan Buckley
Longlisted in the 2025 Booker Prize; published March 13, 2025
After losing her father, Teresa returns to a small Greek coastal town where she once grieved her mother. Through encounters with locals, she reflects on identity, choice, and memory. Jonathan Buckley’s non-linear narrative captures quiet moments of grief and human connection.
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
Longlisted in the 2025 Booker Prize; published September 25, 2025
This novel follows Sonia, an aspiring novelist, and Sunny, a struggling journalist, who meet on an overnight train in India. Their story explores love, identity, and cultural heritage, with humor and emotional depth. Longlisted even before its release, critics have already hailed it as a masterpiece.
Audition by Katie Kitamura
Longlisted in the 2025 Booker Prize; published April 8, 2025
Two people meet for lunch in Manhattan: an actress and a younger man. As the story unfolds, Kitamura explores identity, performance, and desire with clear-eyed prose and psychological depth, redefining how a novel can unfold.
