• “This is not only a survivor's story but a fascinating foray into Bangladeshi culture and norms. Shama paints her home country with vivid color and also with a black and white brush of sadness, as a child deeply impacted by an impoverished country and the political upheaval therein. After suffering incomprehensible abuse as a child, Shama is rescued by a father whose only intention is to bring his family to America for a better life. This book is a story like no other I’ve read. You will be in awe of what the human spirit can endure.”

    Kandace Davis, Author
    OUT OF THE NIGHT THAT COVERS ME

  • Shams has written a singular story about surviving a childhood filled with traumas no one should have to endure and digging past decades of pain, shame, and self-loathing to discover the human being worthy of life and love beneath them.

    Beatriz Terrazas, Writer & Photographer

  • Author, speaker, and advocate Shama Shams knows there is always light in the darkness, even if you have to imagine it for yourself. She is recognized in the Seattle area for her work in the nonprofit sector, but now she turns her energy toward writing and publishing her memoir.

    Henry Behrens
    Arts Editor
    Real Change

  • "She Called Me Throwaway is a story of a young girl's endurance, her survival, and the crushing failures of families to confront painful secrets. But ultimately, what stays with you is Shama Shams's resilience and determination. A powerful, haunting read."

    Aamina Ahmad
    Author & Playwright

  • Shams’ memoir addresses the effects of lingering shame and enforced silence and explores how the eventual breaking of that silence made healing possible.

    - Kirkus Indie Review

  • She Called Me Throwaway is a riveting memoir of strength and survival. Written in briskly paced, clear prose, Shama Shams’ resilience transforms the narrative from a litany of childhood abuses into an inspiring story of acceptance. It begs the question: how can we heal from our past traumas when we won’t ever have all the answers? Shams discovers that in her fight to let go of shame, her most powerful weapons are her voice and love.

    A deeply affecting, resonant read.

    Angela Mackintosh
    Founder & CEO
    WOW - Women on Writing

  • "This memoir is a vital read for anyone seeking to understand the profound impact of childhood trauma and the capacity for resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

    Shama Shams has crafted a narrative that is as enlightening as it is emotional, offering a raw, unflinching look at survival, the complexities of familial bonds, and the redemptive power of speaking one's truth.

    "She Called Me Throwaway" is a heartrending odyssey through darkness into light, showcasing the transformative power of resilience and the unyielding courage required to forge a path toward healing and acceptance."

    - Review Tales Magazine