When Shonda Rhimes was attending Dartmouth, she dreamed of being Toni Morrison. But when she realized that wasn’t going to happen, she went to film school and became the mega-talented writer, creator, and producer of groundbreaking television shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder.
Her success, and the fact that it was built by creating some of the most outspoken and audacious characters on television today, makes it hard to believe that Shonda is also a decided introvert. A person who hired a publicist so she didn’t have to attend events or appear in the media. A person who always said no to invitations because she’d rather be at home, snuggling her kids and comforting herself with food, than mixing with the VIPs who wanted her company.
Year of Yes chronicles the year Shonda decided to say YES to everything that scared her—and it also tells the story of the formation of Shonda Rhimes, from her nerdy childhood creating imaginary worlds in the kitchen pantry and hiding books down the back of her pants, to her determination to write television characters who reflected the world around her, to her decision to be a mother, and beyond. It’s bold, it’s hilarious, it’s intimate, and it’s inspiring. You don’t have to be a fan of the Shondaland shows to absolutely love this book—it’s a joy and a call to arms, both. My hope is that you’ll find yourself nodding and laughing throughout Year of Yes, and by book’s end you’ll be practicing your power poses and consciously saying YES even when you’re a little bit afraid—and of course that you’ll want to press this book into the hands of all your customers.
And, true story: Shonda finally met her idol Toni Morrison, all Toni wanted to discuss was Grey’s Anatomy.
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My Review
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
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I don’t read a lot of autobiographies but once I got used to Shonda Rhimes’ writing style, I enjoyed reading Year of Yes. It was more like being inside her head than just reading her story.
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We could all learn something from Shonda. She seemed to have it all but realized (thanks to her sister) that, in reality, she was miserable. She decided to step out of her comfort zone and as a result, she changed every aspect of her life. It wasn’t an instant transformation and she shares her thoughts as she went through these amazing changes.
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Year of Yes isn’t your typical biography or self help book but it is a fun read that could inspire you to be a better you.
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Purchase on Amazon
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Bound 4 Escape