Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person
Written by Shonda Rhimes
Narrated by Shonda Rhimes
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
The instant New York Times bestseller from the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away With Murder shares how saying YES changed her life. “As fun to read as Rhimes’s TV series are to watch” (Los Angeles Times).
She’s the creator and producer of some of the most groundbreaking and audacious shows on television today. Her iconic characters live boldly and speak their minds. So who would suspect that Shonda Rhimes is an introvert? That she hired a publicist so she could avoid public appearances? That she suffered panic attacks before media interviews?
With three children at home and three hit television shows, it was easy for Shonda to say she was simply too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. And then, over Thanksgiving dinner, her sister muttered something that was both a wake up and a call to arms: You never say yes to anything. Shonda knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her.
This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes—from her nerdy, book-loving childhood to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her. The book chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. Yes.
“Honest, raw, and revelatory” (The Washington Post), this wildly candid and compulsively readable book reveals how the mega talented Shonda Rhimes finally achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character. Best of all, she “can help motivate even the most determined homebody to get out and try something new” (Chicago Tribune).
Editor's Note
Say yes to reading this…
Shonda Rhimes’ inspiring story shows how a year of saying yes made her go from super successful to successful AND happy. Say yes to reading this and discover how you can do anything you put your mind to!
Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is CEO of the global media company Shondaland. With a focus on innovation, Rhimes’s company approaches storytelling through brand partnerships, merchandise, and content for film, streaming, audio, digital, and editorial. In her career, Rhimes’s work has been celebrated with numerous awards including induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. She has shifted the entertainment industry’s business model and changed the face of television.
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Reviews for Year of Yes
2,588 ratings230 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So Funny, Engaging and Truthful. I am now starting my year of Yes, thanks to Shonda!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This books showed me it’s okay to focus on me and what I want and to say yes to myself.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great read may get the hard copy and give it as Christmas gifts.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I enjoyed this book. Rhimes is a real story teller...
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was amazing and even more that Shonda read it herself! I think it might be life changing... but I haven't had my year of yes yet... only about a day. But, it's looking good and I'm looking forward!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book, I would recommend it to anyone that has trouble breaking out of their old ways.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Shonda Rhimes writes like she's sitting around chatting with a friend. However, she's also really repetitive. Yes, this book is filled with wonderful advice, inspiring personal stories, and is incredibly relatable. Wonderful. Inspiring. Relatable.Wonderful. Inspiring. Relatable. Should I say that one more time?Despite the repetition, it's a fun, quick read.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a funny breezy sort of book that spoke of female empowerment and that we all can have it. Of course, I loved all the asides about Gray's Anatomy but her message is what will stay with me.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love Shonda Rhimes!! The book is amazing. Being an introvert I related to everything she was feeling. Her year of Yes! Has inspired me.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5one word to describe this book....YESSSSS!!!
I truly enjoyed every part. very inspired1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Too aggressively feminist, sometimes vulgar. Why is that celebrated in modernity? Not for me
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It was inspirational. It lost me at some parts but overall, a nice read.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing! Just amazing! She made me laugh (cackle), she made me teary eyed and most of all she made me evaluate myself. loved it!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to read how the writer faced her fears and decided to say YES!!.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5This could’ve been condensed to 100 pages. The book read like a humblebrag
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am not a fan of personal growth books, but I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy. And now, I am an even bigger fan of Shonda Rhimes. This is a fantastic look at how our fears and insecurities can hold us back from saying 'yes' to opportunities and experiences. And also, how those same fears and insecurities keep us from saying 'No' when we really don't want to do some things. Since I've read this book, I've passed on copies to 3 friends. It's definitely the type of book that would be a perfect book discussion among a group of women. Life changing and eye opening.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I didn't know much about Shonda, other than she's created some of my favorite shows, but after reading her book, I just adore her! She gives a lot of insight and encouragement for the reader to be confident, proud of their accomplishments, and say 'yes' to enjoying life by sharing her own journey. Her book is often funny, and very enjoyable. I'm glad I read it.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Inspired to live the life you want. Create your happy and don't stop until you get there. Awesome, inspiring,encouraging and full of gusto. A must read. Enjoy!!!!!!!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How is it possible to be seen and heard and understood in such simple, free and warm way?
Shonda (who I will only call her by her first name because I feel like we already are friends) goes through a complete transformation when she - once an eternal naysayer- starts to say yes.
Yes to events, to rest, to play, to love, to taking care of herself. Yes to saying yes.
And here, this book, is just that; the process and transformation of how she realized how her life started changing, evolving and even becoming better with the simplicity of one word. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I appreciated her honesty and openness about her life and struggles along the way. The lesson about women sharing that they have help is essential! I love her passion for writing and how it has created a thriving life for her.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oh my god. This audio book is the best one I've listened to, and is truly an experience listening to Shonda read it
She is real, funny, inspiring, and I teared up a few times. Great message and I loved it so much - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shonda's story is amazing. The book is light, sweet and on point, all at once. Awesome reading.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Inspiring yet an amazing book by one of my favourite television producers as i enjoy her shows very much! Her way of conveying a message about being confident and saying yes to things in life is clear in every way! I will definitely recommend anyone to read this book even if you are not a greys anatomy or a scandal fan because it will definitely inspire you in many ways!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A book which gave me many happy vibes. I enjoyed listening to it very much.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was such a great book. Very inspirational and relatable.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Part comedy and much wisdom for all people—women and men. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Shondra Rhimes inner most thoughts. Will probably listen to it again as it’s that worthwhile.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is amazing. I can fully recommend for people who want to change something in their life but they don't know where to start or feel fear with new situations. Love the author and the way how she describes everything!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I resonated sooo much with Shonda’s year of yes. It was like she was talking about me. Every chapter has me saying oh my gaaaad!!! I particularly enjoyed listening to her tell the story. Absolutely amazing!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Her personality shines through each word! Her voice added character to each spoken word! Such a personal read, that allows the reader to explore the mind/personality of the ingenious Shonda Rhimes - a QUEEN.