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  • 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
  • Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (591 ratings)

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Year of Yes cover art

Year of Yes

Written by: Shonda Rhimes
Narrated by: Shonda Rhimes
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Publisher's Summary

2017 Audie Award Finalist for Audiobook of the Year

The megatalented 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 ubertalented 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.

©2015 Ships at a Distance, Inc. (P)2015 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

What the critics say

"What makes this such a powerful audiobook is that, behind her colloquial language and assertive style, you can appreciate the work it took for someone this shy to begin making public appearances and to perform this excellent inspirational audio." ( AudioFile)

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What listeners say about Year of Yes

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All the things Yes

Loved this book, the realness of the author, the "take me down from this podium" feel. Loved every single about this book. I have pages dog earred and marked up and sticky noted. Yes, yes, yes.

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Very Inspirational

She is my queen, hard work will always pay off! Luck is not real. Thanks shonda for being you!

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So inspiring, real, vulnerable, hilarious.

I loved it and finished it in 4 days. Shonda, you are simply amazing. Thank you for sharing your story. I see myself on so many parts of what you said and am just starting out my own journey. You've inspired me to keep being brave everyday. Thank you.

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I loved it!

I absolutely loved it. Thank you for sharing Shonda. Your words have been very inspiring.❤❤

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AMAZING!

I loved every minute of it!! well worth it. love her love her ! purchase!

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life changing

every chapter was both relatable and enlightening. when it ended I kinda didn't know what to do with myself anymore.

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Year of yes

Great read, loved her every part of the story.. funny and witty. loved every word

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I can’t even….

You Ma’am are “not a liar”; you speak the truth! This STORY is relatable and inspiring❣️

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Love her!

Omg she made me lol almost the entire book!
It was reassuring that someone so successful and famous was a person just like any of us; she has her own challenges to overcome despite the fact that she has made an amazing career out of her creative mind!
Thank u for sharing Shonda! You definitely need to write more books for us! Maybe a workbook for us to utilize while we explore our year of yes! Something we can journal in recording our reasons and feelings for saying no...be nice to track our yes’ when we would normally have said no! I’m doing that in a notebook but maybe you have ideas of how to format something to accompany this inspiring book!
Another book you might write could be ‘How to write a non fiction novel’ I would love to write a book but knowing how u turned your ideas into a brilliant career would be awesome! I’m doing research on how to write a book and would love your thoughts and ideas!

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Worth the read

Shonda is funny and engaging and has a great message. I loved hearing her voice expressing these personal stories and their impact on her life. I feel like she is my new best friend. Her stories help me make sense of mine. And I snorted out loud at a couple of things - which is amusing when you are listening as you walk through the neighbourhood. New word to use and cherish: badassery!

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