Thursday evening on the third floor of New York’s iconic Strand Bookstore was unlike any other. Guests had to purchase a ticket and a copy of the book to enter, yet every seat was filled before 7 p.m. The table stacked with books was completely sold out as well. Those who arrived late had to enter the hall with their tickets but without a book in hand.
Amid that overwhelming response, P. Paramita celebrated the launch of her debut novel, Appetite.
For nearly an hour, Paramita spoke with author Haley Jacobson about her journey as a writer. She shared how a girl from Sunbeams School in Dhaka made her way to Columbia University to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing, and how the character Zarina was born during that journey.
Zarina, the central character of Appetite, is a Bangladeshi immigrant, a restaurant cook, and a passionate wrestling fan. She dreams of introducing Bangladeshi cuisine in America—not as “ethnic food,” but proudly under the name of Bangladesh itself.
With warmth, confidence and a natural storytelling style, Paramita captivated the audience. The hall repeatedly erupted with laughter and applause. It felt as if the story was not only about Zarina, but also about pieces of everyone’s own immigrant experience.
Among the audience were we, along with Paramita’s father, Anisul Hoque, and mother, Marina Yasmin, who came to celebrate their daughter’s remarkable milestone. Many guests travelled from outside New York, while several familiar faces from the Bangladeshi diaspora also attended the evening.
After the discussion and question-and-answer session, Paramita signed copies of her book for readers. By then, every available copy of Appetite, published by Dial Press (Penguin Random House), had been sold out at the bookstore—a remarkable beginning for a first-time novelist.
After the event, we crossed the river and gathered at Hello Bangladesh Restaurant in Long Island City for a dinner featuring traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.
The table was filled with familiar favourites—alu bhorta, shrimp, vegetables, yoghurt, and sweets. Even international guests enjoyed the flavours and finished their plates with enthusiasm.
That evening, Zarina’s dream came a little closer to reality. Bangladeshi food, carrying its own identity and heritage, reached new tastes and new audiences.
From the third floor of Strand Bookstore to the dinner table in Long Island City, the entire evening became a celebration of P. Paramita’s journey as a writer.
For all of us, it was also a night of pride.
Congratulations, P. Paramita.
