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Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person
Summary
The mega-talented creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away With Murder chronicles how saying YES for one year changed her life―and how it can change yours, too.
With three hit shows on television and three children at home, the uber-talented Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say NO when an unexpected invitation arrived. Hollywood party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No.
And there was the side benefit of saying No for an introvert like Shonda: nothing new to fear.
Then Shonda's sister laid down a challenge: just for one year, try to say YES to the unexpected invitations that come your way. Shonda reluctantly agreed―and the result was nothing short of transformative. In Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes chronicles the powerful impact saying Yes had on every aspect of her life―and how we can all change our lives with one little word. Yes.
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Reviews
Turns out that I love TV writers talking about themselves. Mindy Kaling, now Shonda Rhimes...TV writers are my kind of people.
If you write for TV - assemble a memoir, narrate the audiobook, and just send it my way.
If you write for TV - assemble a memoir, narrate the audiobook, and just send it my way.
I have never watched Grey's Anatomy or Scandal, but I have heard of Shonda Rhimes. It is hard not to these days. I wanted to read this book because I like the idea of it. A year of saying yes to opportunities that come your way. I feel like I say no to a lot of things, and wish I was brave enough to change. I was hoping this book would help inspire me along the way.
I enjoyed learning about Shonda's life, both personal and professional. It is always interesting to see how a super successful person thinks. Shonda does enjoy an incredible support system and has opportunities that most people don't have but an introverted person in this position can feel the same was as an average introverted person. Sometimes it is hard to say yes and get out of the house.
The book was interesting, but the writing felt very redundant. She repeats herself constantly. The speeches that she published in the book were hard to read. I found them very boring. Maybe if you were in the audience listening to her, they would have been good, but I found them to be very rambling. For me, this book was ok, but nothing super exciting.
I enjoyed learning about Shonda's life, both personal and professional. It is always interesting to see how a super successful person thinks. Shonda does enjoy an incredible support system and has opportunities that most people don't have but an introverted person in this position can feel the same was as an average introverted person. Sometimes it is hard to say yes and get out of the house.
The book was interesting, but the writing felt very redundant. She repeats herself constantly. The speeches that she published in the book were hard to read. I found them very boring. Maybe if you were in the audience listening to her, they would have been good, but I found them to be very rambling. For me, this book was ok, but nothing super exciting.
I was so moved by this book I cannot even put it into words. As an avid fan of Grey's Anatomy, so many of the words I read and stories Shonda Rhimes was gracious enough to share put so many things into perspective for me. I loved it!
I really enjoyed this novel. Shonda Rhimes had incredible professional success, but found that she was shutting out most of the world outside of her tv show and her children. Some of her changes during her "year of yes" really resonated with me.
I really enjoyed this book. A lot.
But Shonda Rhimes uses this weird sentence construction all the time. That thing where a person starts a sentence with a question when it really shouldn't be a question.
Let me give you some examples from Shonda herself.
"My mother? Looks incredible."
"And that yes? Turned out to be something much more terrifying."
I could keep going. I really could. I counted as I read, and she did it 69 times. But you get the idea.
She also says the kind of things that drive me crazy:
"Am I kidding me?"
"I give good story."
"I had to drink about it."
I don't know why it drives me crazy, but it does.
But despite all of that, I really liked this book. Rhimes is a wildly successful woman who shares the same insecurities and worries as everybody else. Her decision to say yes to everything that scared her was terrifying for her, but she did it anyway, because she wanted to grow.
I love that she was open about her weight, and her nervousness during interviews. I love that she admitted to using "Athlete Talk." I love that she wasn't satisfied where she was - even after "owning Thursday nights" - and she did what she needed to do to improve herself and her life, because she wanted to.
And if I can ignore that writing style that reads like nails on a chalkboard to me, because I just can't stop reading? Then it's a good book.
But Shonda Rhimes uses this weird sentence construction all the time. That thing where a person starts a sentence with a question when it really shouldn't be a question.
Let me give you some examples from Shonda herself.
"My mother? Looks incredible."
"And that yes? Turned out to be something much more terrifying."
I could keep going. I really could. I counted as I read, and she did it 69 times. But you get the idea.
She also says the kind of things that drive me crazy:
"Am I kidding me?"
"I give good story."
"I had to drink about it."
I don't know why it drives me crazy, but it does.
But despite all of that, I really liked this book. Rhimes is a wildly successful woman who shares the same insecurities and worries as everybody else. Her decision to say yes to everything that scared her was terrifying for her, but she did it anyway, because she wanted to grow.
I love that she was open about her weight, and her nervousness during interviews. I love that she admitted to using "Athlete Talk." I love that she wasn't satisfied where she was - even after "owning Thursday nights" - and she did what she needed to do to improve herself and her life, because she wanted to.
And if I can ignore that writing style that reads like nails on a chalkboard to me, because I just can't stop reading? Then it's a good book.
Very inspiring!
Don't just stand like Wonder Woman, be Wonder Woman. I loved this book. It made me laugh, cry, break out in goose bumps, and really take a look inside of this introvert. I listened to the audiobook and don't think I would have enjoyed it as much had I read the book. Being able to hear her actual speeches was amazing.
This 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.
This memoir was inspiring, funny, heartfelt, and honest. Just to name a few attributes, though there are plenty more. I think that Shonda really let down her guard in this one and allowed herself to be truly vulnerable, which was important for the memoir to work. She accomplished this, and in turn, I fell in love with her. I fell in love with her spirit, her awkwardness, her sass. Even if you have no idea who Shonda Rhimes is, or maybe don't even watch her shows, this book is beyond all that, and I feel anyone could enjoy. It comes off almost as a self help book without truly trying to be preachy or...self helpish. You can get inspired by Rhimes' approach to a year of yes, and inspired by the outcome. You can get inspired in your own life by reading what can happen when you simply begin saying yes to things. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Shonda's TV shows, but beyond that, I recommend it to anyone who may feel like they are in a slump or a time of their life where the motivation isn't there. This can serve to show you that sometimes one simple word can change everything. Simply put, Inspiring!
I was so moved by this book I cannot even put it into words. As an avid fan of Grey's Anatomy, so many of the words I read and stories Shonda Rhimes was gracious enough to share put so many things into perspective for me. I loved it!
This is a fun, witty and inspiring book. She is self-deprecating(although she specifically says she isn't) and honest in the best possible way. Part memoir and part self-help book, but minus the holier than thou undertone. Just Shonda explaining how, and why, she was unhappy with her life and the steps she took to try and rectify the situation.
I 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.
Shonda Rhimes is an amazing talent and person inside and out. We are definitely friends in my head. I read this book four times before I put it down because it has so much wisdom in it. If you want to change your life for the better, pick up this book and just start saying yes.
Witty, insightful, and often thought provoking. A quick, fun read, but with substance. I knew very little of Shonda Rhimes and had never watched any of her TV shows, but decided to pick this up after catching part of an NPR interview she did The good news is you don't have to know anything about her previous work to enjoy and learn something from this book.
I 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.
Shonda 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.
An autobiography by the producer/writer of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal". Although I don't watch any of the shows Shonda works on, her book was recommended and loaned to me by my boss. I found the writing to be engaging and easy to read. It kept me interested and I enjoyed it. Even though I can see where she certainly comes off a little egocentric (and much more outgoing, even prior to her "Year of Yes", than she assumed herself to be), I could still identify with much of what she was saying. As an introvert myself, I know how hard it is to get out there and put yourself in uncomfortable situations where you must deal with people. Also, she has really accomplished quite a lot and broke out of the stereotypical mold many women find themselves in. My favorite part was probably the description of her parent's marriage. I love the visualization of the ducks imprinting on each other, very sweet!Overall, I liked the book and would certainly recommend.
One Thanksgiving Shonda Rhimes's sister told her that she never says yes to anything. Rhimes mulled that over for awhile and realized her sister was right: she turned down pretty much every opportunity that would have challenged her in new ways or that scared her. She decided that was no way to live and embarked on "the year of yes," where she would say yes to everything. The book chronicles that year and explores what Rhimes learned by making it a prerogative to say yes. It's funny and insightful and feminist and body positive, and I enjoyed it a lot. I wouldn't describe it as self-help (there's no plan to follow or anything), but rather inspiring, in a way that feels real and organic rather than Inspiring. Recommended.
Highly recommended. Interesting, inspiring and motivational. Entertaining too. A fan
Loved this book. it was incredible to hear Shonda's story of transforming her life by saying yes. Inspirational and filled with takeaways that readers can consider for implementing for themselves.
I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it
one word to describe this book....YESSSSS!!!
I truly enjoyed every part. very inspired
I truly enjoyed every part. very inspired
Great read may get the hard copy and give it as Christmas gifts.
I enjoyed this book. Rhimes is a real story teller...
Great book! What made it even better was Shonda’s narration. It’s my favorite audiobook so far. It was like a book I could not put down – I couldn’t wait to be in the car to listen to it!
I originally thought audiobooks were odd. Mainly because I felt as though I wouldn't be able to give it my undivided attention. I sure was wrong. I finished the book in a day and I was sad it ended. I felt as though Ms. Rhimes and I were having a lovely conversation regarding life and how vital it is to embrace the "badassary" we each possess to catapult ourselves to the highest of heights where we're destined to be.
I love Shonda Rhimes!! The book is amazing. Being an introvert I related to everything she was feeling. Her year of Yes! Has inspired me.
I'm not religious but, Shonda is my angel during hardtimes... I'm a broke,black and female Actuarial science student. The hardtimes do come, but I have Shonda. I can't wait till I have my own land to play in.
Her journey through change is amazing, very well written and entertaining! I laughed in every chapter. It gave me lots of ideas and inspired me to keep on growing and evolving.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I didn't want it to end. Shonda's honesty and transparency makes it even more enjoyable. This book has inspired me to say 'yes' to my fears! Great read.