The Reading Circle (TRC) has honored author Zeena Choudhury as its writer of the year.
The award was presented at a ceremony held on July 18, 2026, at Bookworm at Tu'Do in Banani, in recognition of Zeena’s contribution to English-language memoir writing.
Since 2014, TRC has recognized Bangladeshi authors writing in Bangla and English. This year's honor acknowledged Choudhury's two memoirs—Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea (2017) and Calcutta Kebabs and Christmas Cake (2026).
Welcoming Choudhury, TRC founder Dr Niaz Zaman described the two memoirs as complementary works covering the years 1946–1951 from different settings. While Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea recount the author's experiences in Darjeeling between March and November, Calcutta Kebabs and Christmas Cake focus on her childhood in Calcutta from December to February, portraying the city's landmarks, personalities, food, music, books and multicultural traditions.
The guest speaker, Professor Perween Hasan—architectural historian, Vice-Chancellor of Central Women's University and Chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh—said the memoir vividly captures Calcutta during the years surrounding Partition. Having spent part of her childhood in the city, she said she found many of the book's memories relatable and praised its portrayal of a cosmopolitan society where people of different faiths and communities coexisted.
Speaking at the event, Choudhury reflected on her childhood memories and paid tribute to her maternal grandmother, Sarah Khatun, affectionately known as "Nanna," who played a central role in her upbringing during school vacations from Loreto Convent, Darjeeling. She said her grandmother taught her the values, traditions and etiquette that shaped her early years.
Choudhury also shared how she came to write her first memoir. During a period when her husband, Faruq Choudhury, was seriously ill, their daughter, Farzana, encouraged her to begin writing. That suggestion eventually led to the publication of Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea.
Several TRC members discussed themes from Choudhury's memoirs, highlighting their portrayal of memory, identity, food, family and multicultural life in pre- and post-Partition Calcutta. Speakers also reflected on the books' nostalgic depiction of a diverse society and their rich cast of memorable characters.
Audience members who had lived in Calcutta before Partition shared personal recollections, saying the memoirs resonated with their own experiences and offered a nuanced portrayal of the city's multicultural past.
Responding to a question about whether the narrator matures over the course of the memoir, Choudhury said the passage of time is reflected through the changing perceptions of the young protagonist as she observes the world around her.
Choudhury is currently working on her next book, In the Court of Kings, based on her experiences as a diplomatic spouse.
Farhana Shehabuddin is a member of The Reading Circle. Her short story, "The Decree," was recently published in Stories My Grandma (Never) Told Me, edited by Razia Sultana Khan.