Picture a Bangladeshi American storyteller who spun a heartfelt tale of fake dating and self-discovery in Counting Down With You—meet Tashie Bhuiyan! This New York native has taken young adult contemporary fiction by storm, crafting stories that pulse with the vibrant diversity of her upbringing and resonate with readers craving authentic voices. With a knack for blending humor, heart, and cultural nuance, Bhuiyan’s work is a love letter to those finding their place in the world.
The Making of Tashie Bhuiyan
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Tashie Bhuiyan grew up in a bustling, multicultural environment that shaped her storytelling. As a Bangladeshi American, she navigated a hybrid identity, balancing her family’s traditions with the fast-paced American culture around her. Her early love for books bloomed through the Magic Tree House series, which helped her master English as an ESL student in elementary school. By middle school, she was penning her own stories, driven by a desire to see characters like herself—brown girls with big dreams—in the pages of YA novels. A graduate of St. John’s University with a degree in Public Relations, Bhuiyan’s journey from reader to published author is a testament to her resilience and passion.
Tashie Bhuiyan’s Unforgettable Stories
Bhuiyan’s debut, Counting Down With You (2021), is a sparkling YA contemporary romance that follows Karina Ahmed, a reserved Bangladeshi American teen caught in a fake-dating scheme with her school’s bad boy, Ace Clyde. Praised as a “love letter to young brown girls,” the novel tackles anxiety, parental expectations, and the courage to forge one’s path, all wrapped in witty banter and swoony moments. Her sophomore novel, A Show for Two (2022), dives into the chaotic world of a Bangladeshi American teen chasing a film internship in New York City, blending ambition with family dynamics. Stay With My Heart (2024) explores found family and the healing power of music, while her upcoming I’ll Pretend You’re Mine promises more heartfelt romance. Bhuiyan’s style is immersive, with clean prose, vibrant characters, and themes of agency, identity, and growth that hit home for Gen Z readers.
Her stories stand out for their authentic representation of Bangladeshi culture, from mouthwatering mentions of khichuri to nuanced portrayals of Muslim family dynamics. Bhuiyan weaves universal struggles—balancing dreams with duty, navigating mental health—into culturally specific narratives, making her work both relatable and revelatory. Her playful nods to pop culture and Gen Z humor add a light, addictive quality to her books.
Why Tashie Bhuiyan Matters
Tashie Bhuiyan’s impact lies in her ability to amplify underrepresented voices in YA fiction. By centering Bangladeshi American teens, she offers a mirror for readers who rarely see themselves in books and a window for others to explore new perspectives. Her candid depiction of anxiety and cultural pressures has sparked conversations about mental health in South Asian communities, where such topics can be taboo. Bhuiyan’s rapid rise—her debut garnered over 1,000 Goodreads ratings in its first week—shows her resonance with readers hungry for diverse stories. Her mission to “change the world, one book at a time” feels within reach as she inspires young writers to tell their own stories.
- Born: Queens, New York
- Key Works: Counting Down With You, A Show for Two, Stay With My Heart, I’ll Pretend You’re Mine
- Fun Fact: She insists 2010 is the best cinematic year, thanks to Tangled and Inception.
Snag Counting Down With You and dive into Tashie Bhuiyan’s vibrant, heartfelt world of YA romance!