In 2023, Kashmir's literary landscape experienced a notable upswing in publications, reflecting a diverse array of perspectives on the region. Despite this surge, a conspicuous absence of voices from within Kashmir raises critical questions about narrative ownership. The dominance of non-native authors perpetuates a dichotomy between external perceptions and the internal Kashmiri experience. Notably, the scarcity extends to fiction, with a prolonged absence of English-language novels by Kashmiri authors. Amid this backdrop, Chitralekha Zutshi's "Sheikh Abdullah: The Caged Lion of Kashmir" and Manreet Sodhi Someshwar's "Kashmir" offer distinct historical and fictional lenses. Other works, such as Hafsa Kanjwal's "A Fate Written on Matchboxes" and the "Palgrave Handbook of New Directions in Kashmir Studies," delve into the nuanced realms of politics, history, and interdisciplinary perspectives. These publications collectively underscore the imperative for Kashmiri voices to actively contribute to shaping the narrative, avoiding perpetuation of stereotypes, and enriching the global understanding of this complex region.