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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 (588 ratings)

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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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#audible1 - Riveting stories & inspiration!

Listening to Shonda Rhimes herself tell her story - was a fabulous experience! The stories of her journey were riveting! The lessons learned were insightful. The inspiration garnered from this book is endless! Truly a wonderful investment of time that will pay dividends in my own journey!

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Thanks Shonda🙏 YES 🙌

I couldn’t pause, inspiring, motivating, hugely relatable. I am a little late… it’s not 2014 or 2015.
MY year of YES is 2023 🤩🎉💕

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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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It’s OK

Well… i had high hopes for this book i guess,or i should say high-ER than it delivered. It’s a nice read,going through the life of the narrator,how she struggled and how she felt when she was faced with the choice of going after her dreams and the overwhelming fear of literally popping her pants on live TV,because of extremely anxiety and stressing over pretty much everything. I don’t generally dislike the book although i don’t treat it like a self-help one. To me it’s actually like a nice memoir disguised as a “Get out there and grab life by the balls!” type of read.
She said she used to have at least two glasses of wine before going on stage, i can relate to that although never actually having been on a stage (being a kid in a funny costume in a kindergarten play doesn’t count cause when you are young you just don’t care). She also said that throughout life,gradually,through her being proactive and willing to do things but in “her own way” she would agree to do things that would generally initially terrify her. Good for her,i mean that’s general advice that your mum gives you every other day right?
I just get the hype around this,plus i’ve never been a “Gray’s Anatomy “ fan,never seen “Scandal “ so i can’t really relate to the shows,but her way of telling the story,HER story,is OK. The book is OK,nothing spectacular or astounding,just OK.

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Love the message

I personally found this book too repetitive, too wordy, too dramatic.
However I did LOVE the message behind it.

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Inspiring, funny, honest, a path to happiness

This book was delightful and honest.
Shonda talks about things that were true for me but that I’d never allowed myself to acknowledge before. I too practiced being veal and was slowly killing myself by saying no to invitations to life and challenge and joy. Please read or listen to this book! I will be sharing it with my 14 year old daughter today. I am starting my own year of yes today! Thank you Shonda. You and your characters have taught me so much about what is possible. I love you.

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A Gold Mine of Wisdom

Just finished rereading this book for the 3rd time and appreciate Shonda Rhimes’ vulnerability, openness and humour. Her transformative year took courage in accepting each ‘Yes’ even though it was scary. We witness her confidence grow and her ability to hold power in all areas of her life expand. Lessons for working moms, leaders and any woman who is looking to redefine their life. Thank you for continuing to say ‘Yes’ and inspiring others to do the same.

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Blessed Be

Your honesty is truly appreciated and well timed. Your words resonate with me, yes a white girl from Northern Ontario ☯️🇨🇦☯️

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Love

Love love love. This is a must read for all ladies out there. It will change you.

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Outstanding for shifting from Comfort to Courage!

Totally exceeded my expectation. This audio CD offers the the compelling tone and humanism from Grey's and the brilliance and authenticity that Shonda brings to... well, everything. It will alter how you relate to invitations in your life, AND help you discover what might be possible ,if you spent more time living from courage and less time from comfort. Inspiring!

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  • Gary
  • 2015-11-30

Began well, but disappointing

What disappointed you about Year of Yes?

I liked the idea the book is based upon, but after the first few chapters, it became more about her life as opposed to the idea of saying YES; besides, simply saying yes to accepting awards and attending parties with celebrities, is a little difficult to relate to.

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  • Andrea Inouye
  • 2015-12-05

Say YES to reading this book!

I have been a long time admirer of Shonda and her work and this book is one more thing to add to that list. She is amazing, she is more than just her talents she is an inspiration. This book came to me at a time when I was having severe self doubt. I knew my life was no where close to the path that I always thought it would be on but I did not know how to change. I was just sinking deeper into a pit of pain, anguish, desperation and hate. The first day I started listening I got half way through the book, I walked for miles just listening. Each day I felt myself getting stronger, I observed areas of my life I wanted to change. I started a journal to track my progress and thought of steps I could take to reach my goals.

This book to me was the kick in the butt I needed to realize my own strength which I lost after getting kicked down a few times. I retreated from life, I stopped trying. For me making excuses was much easier than doing something. I'm still getting knocked down but he difference is I'm still trying, I will forever try my best for ME!

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  • ccreads
  • 2016-02-20

Best 7 Hours Listening to an Audio Book Ever!

What made the experience of listening to Year of Yes the most enjoyable?

Shonda adds so much personality to the narration. She's sassy, fun, and honest about struggling with the same doubts that we all have.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Year of Yes?

What I found most touching was the chapter about her weight/image problem and how she confronted it and took care of business--losing 127lbs!

What does Shonda Rhimes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Herself. Listening to the audio book was like sitting down with a girlfriend and a glass of wine to hear about her deepest fears and failures and how she overcame them and that you can too.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and I cried...

Any additional comments?

Listen to the audio book, even if you've already read the book. Shonda's narration adds so much more depth to the experience. And as an added bonus she includes recordings of three inspiring speeches she made during her "Year of Yes" experiment.

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  • Elle O
  • 2015-11-18

Excellent book!

I've never watched any of her television shows but she nailed this book and narration. Shonda keeps you engaged, she is funny, charming, and makes you want to say yes to everything. Well done....

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  • Jennie Ofstein
  • 2015-11-11

Like a Visit with an Old Friend

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

This book is fun, interesting, thoughtful and thought provoking. It feels like a visit from one of your old friends, and then ya kinda realize it maybe is. If you are a fan of Rhimes' work, then listening to this feels just like that! Then you remember that she is the person behind the characters you have loved for years and you can identify a little bit of her in every one of them. It's great. I found it very relatable and a enjoyable. I am not a book-mark user, but there were places I marked to make sure I shared with others.

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  • joand6
  • 2016-02-20

meh!

I think i got suckered into this book by the title which sounded really cool. This book has some good points, but is mostly just her story of her year, and it is very very long winded. I also felt it had a pretty strong political agenda, . i wouldn't listen to this book again. The book takes a really long time to get going. i kept thinking, when is she going to get to the point in her story.

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  • WildGoose
  • 2015-11-13

I wish there were more than five stars...

If I liked Shonda before, I love her now. Her journey of transformation is inspiring. But the best part about the Year of Yes, is that the actual live recordings of some of her speeches are terrific. One of the best audio book productions I have ever heard. In terms of "personal journey" books, Shonda leaves Liz Gilbert in the dust. Thanks Shonda.

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  • Violet Trout
  • 2015-11-11

Vulnerability

I've just finished listening and I feel rather indicted because I so identify with so many of her challenges, her questions of self. As I listened, especially the last few chapters, I too felt I needed to ask many of the same profound questions. I've had a year of sometimes yes, and I too found profound gifts. Perhaps it time to open myself to more yeses!
It was lovely to hear the flower of Shondra open into a full bloom. I'm certain her continued search will create a vast garden of joyous love for her and hers! Thank you for your vulnerable sharing !

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  • Cissy S
  • 2015-11-26

Amazing book and well read

Loved the book! Made me feel like she was the best friend I needed to push me be the best me!

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  • GPA
  • 2015-11-29

GREAT READ!

Inspirational read for all people. I laughed out loud often, as she spins the story of saying yes. Shonda is a great narrator, and paints a revealing portrait of her struggles, background, and transformation. Her story definitely is a page turner. You will enjoy this read!

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  • Sandra
  • 2016-07-19

Juste bien ! À lire

Légèreté et simplicité. Apprenez vous à vous aimer pour mieux profiter et apprecier votre vie.

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  • C.
  • 2020-12-14

Great book.

I really loved this book. Listenws to it several times. It is entertaining, the structure is great, it discusses a lot of important topics and is extremely uplifting. Shonda Rhimes' reading is great. Really recommend this.

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  • DL
  • 2019-10-14

Brilliant!

This is an inspirational book and I absolutely loved Shonda’s reading of it. But of course because it was her story! But it is also a story full of life lessons for us all. I am absolutely motivated to use some of them in my own life. Thank you Shonda!

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