I Am Yours

A Shared Memoir

By: Reema Zaman

Narrated by: Reema Zaman

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

I Am Yours is the story of Reema Zaman's unwavering fight to protect and free her voice from those who have sought to silence her. From Bangladesh to Thailand to New York to Oregon, through gorgeous prose as beautiful as it is biting, poetic as it is political, and healing as it is haunting, Zaman explores the many difficulties, dangers, and, ultimately, the necessity for all women, all people, to own and use their voices.

With astonishing courage and intimacy, Zaman offers up a memoir to alleviate the loneliness that often arises from being human in this world. I Am Yours is an iconic debut that promises to shake global literature.

©2019 Reema Zaman (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Read this book

I read this memoir on suggestion from a friend, and so I wasn't aware of the content ahead of time. My friend must have known it would be a balm. I'm 2 years out of an emotionally abusive relationship and this memoir could have been mine in all the ways Ms. Zaman described her circumstances and memories of her time with her ex-husband. Her words pierced my heart and in some ways opened old wounds, but her prose rolls softly and gently like the Carolina hills and by the end, it felt like she had been holding me in love the entire time. I'm so grateful she has shared her voice. I will never forget this book.

Beautiful through and through

Exquisitely written and gorgeously read by the author. Reema’s story reaches the soul. Thought it’s her unique experience, it’s easy to relate to its core as a human being. Highly recommend!

Stunning and moving - a must-read!

Gorgeously written, and so purely moving.

The beginning was a little hard for me to get into (as it's written from a child's perspective) but it's essential to the story and message and ended up being worthwhile. I could relate to events throughout much of this book and it allowed me to have greater compassion for myself when I look back at my life because I felt so much compassion - never pity - for the narrator. And not only that, but dazzled admiration for the grit, fierceness, and strength it takes to go through life with such clarity and grace.

The ending - what can I say to do it justice? My heart was swelling and my tears were brimming. She said many things that I've told others in the past, but which I could never quite believe applied to myself, and I can say without hyperbole that it's life-changing for me to hear them being said to me (I listened to the audiobook).

This book takes the place of endurance story, psychology book, philosophy and spirituality tales, and self-help for me. I want to get the physical book and go over it with a highlighter! I will definitely listen to this again.

Ms. Zaman has a massively powerful story and message, and she weaves it artfully. This is going to be a classic. Get it; you won't regret it.

Beautiful Rendering

I loved this story. Ms. Zaman shares her life with an original, lyrical, powerful and unflinching voice. It’s eye opening and transformative.

Beautifully written memoir.

I loved every word. The love and emotions poured out into every chapter. Wonderful and soul capturing.

so much heart, for all of us to feel

This is an inspiring, uplifting, and thought provoking book, full of beauty and pain, but in the end, mostly just full of care and tenderness. It's a wonderful read, especially if you're interested in self exploration, growth, and the path of self love. Thank you for this gift, Reema Zaman!

Rebekah Gainsley

A voice that every woman will know, understand, and recognize. A powerful story of strength and courage to be full and authentic to one’s own journey through love and sorrow.

Exquisite

This book was recommended by a friend and I loved it. The writer, also narrator, brought the book to life. It a beautifully written, powerfully honest, and ultimately hopeful.

Remarkable Story. Stunning listen.

I've never written a review before in over 200 books listened but wow. Wonderful. I recommend this book and it should be taught in school curriculums across the world. Your story will forever stay with me. Thank you for existing and being a voice for the voiceless!

Unique and Powerful Connection

This memoir has left a mark on me like few books ever have. It left me feeling more deeply connected with other women, especially to those with limited or no true voice. The author, Reema Zaman, also illustrates the powerful connection between voice, creativity and love.

The author, is steadfast in connecting us, the people she hopes to inspire, with herself and the writing of this book. With a lovely sprinkling of what feels like magical realism, she describes how we have been with her since childhood, very present in her thoughts and choices. We kept her company in her painful lonely times. She knew we would be hurt and disappointed with some of her choices as a young adult. She felt us “wincing” as she continued to endure an abusive relationship. And I was indeed, wincing.

She is clear and precise about very traumatic occurrences in her life, as well as the more mundane belittling comments and treatment from undeserving brutish partners. She is equally clear about her compliance, and finally, to my great relief, her non-compliance. She’s right, we’re in this together. I was rooting for her from page one.

From a young age, she knew she would be an author, an advocate, an influencer. And rightly so. She has a reaching heart, sensitivity, intellect and a brilliant command of language. She’s also goal driven, hard working and organized. I like the way she organizes the book according to theme and sections according to age, “I am Ten.”

Through this book, she warns us to be cognizant of our upbringing and the myriad examples set before us, as these shape us and can lead us to accept the unacceptable. She warns us to be cognizant of the male dominated fabric of the world and one of it’s characteristics, entitled brutish behavior.

In situations when cruelty doesn’t reign, she shows us that love and respectful, kind behavior can grow, that the bullies need not play front and center in our lives indefinitely. She encourages us to be active in creating a more balanced world. I believe she can have a leading role in that new world.