A Bit of The Narrative, So Far

Hi there, welcome!

My name is Mila & Narrative is my dream. It was born out of my lifelong love & respect for books & the magic & power they have to transform, transport, heal & hold you.

My family & I immigrated to the US from Bangladesh when I was 11 years old. As a child, having to navigate an extreme shift in reality & a sudden multi-cultural identity but not really knowing what it meant or how to do it, I carried an ever-present sense of otherness, displacement & very often, loneliness. Needing to find solace & ways to understand, I found my home in books. They gave me connection, they gave me inspiration, they helped me find belonging within myself. My hope for Narrative is that it will help give others the same.

Whether it be from the books on the shelves, the people there, the cozy environment or thoughtful gatherings, I hope that Narrative can help ease the burden of loneliness & isolation so many of us often struggle with by being a place you can come to for comfort. In all honesty, I’m not an expert on literature or the book industry. Rather, I’m a first-time business owner who just really loves books & believes that we can all experience better lives if we do it with care for one another. So, when undergoing a period of uncertainty that allowed me to really consider what I want my life to look like, I chose to give everything I have towards sharing this love for books with others in a way that will aim to contribute positively to their lives & to our community.

Every single detail of Narrative has been personally curated/created by me- with some essential support on the physical labor from a truly exceptional life-partner & encouragement & advice from wonderful friends & family! Building a bookshop from scratch with my own hands has been the most humbling challenge &, also, unbelievably meaningful.

I am so excited to share this dream with you!

Here’s to expanding our narrative, together.

— Mila Hossain, Owner