Year of Yes How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person

feel good book

Not usually an autobiography kind of girl but this hit all the spots for me. It feels like you're going on this journey with her and I am so inspired! 10/10 would recommend!

Shonda Rhimes is the type of person I want to be friends with! I have been a fan of the shows she has created so when she references them in this book I was just smiling like a little nerd.

This book was lighthearted and empowering. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of her shows.

0.3 off only due to it being a bit repetitive at times.

This book was last summer’s DNF. I couldn’t finish it. I got to the chapter where Shonda gives Dartmouth’s commencement address, and I had to put it away. As a 2020 grad who didn’t get a graduation, reading it made me sad. But this summer, it didn’t and I am SO glad I finished this memoir. Shonda (and her writing) is smart, funny, and brutally honest. As someone who has watched ALL of her shows, the little tidbits about Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder made this such a fun read. She talks of her struggle to attend all of these high-pressure events, her struggles with imposter syndrome, and how it was socially draining to be a high-profile introvert. Reading this as the world reopens again post-2020…this really hit differently right now. This book wasn’t perfect by any means. Shonda rambles a LOT. She gets off topic. She preaches. After getting through the past year, this book was exactly what I needed; however, I don’t think it necessarily lived up to my expectations.

I laughed. I cried. This was GOOD

A+

3.5/5

I happen to have just caught up on "Grey's Anatomy", so I really enjoyed all the allusions to the show. I also have some knowledge of "Scandal" and "How to Get Away With Murder" so those allusions also made sense. Her voice sounded familiar, you know? But like was said on some of the reviews before, she made her book longer than it needed to be. Overall, I enjoyed reading the memoir and it gave me some inspiration for setting boundaries, but not hiding behind my walls, which is timely at the start of the new year.

This book is definitely not anything groundbreaking or new, but Shondas style of humor and encouragement and girl power made me feel so energized after reading it. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a fast and easy read that will make you feel like you can take over the world. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Shonda!

A good laugh and some useful advice, also cool to hear behind the scenes at greys anatomy etc but ultimately a but ranty and random.

Shonda Rhimes ist bekannt für ihre Sendungen "Grey's Anatomy", "Scandal" und "How to Get Away With Murder". Ich habe keine einzige Fernsehsendung der Autorin gesehen, ich wusste nicht einmal, dass sie eine bekannte Serienschreiberin ist, als ich das Buch gekauft habe. Mich interessierten nur ihre Erfahrungen, die sie in ihrem "Year of Yes" gemacht hat, denn auch mir wird - wie ihr vor ihrem Experiment - oft gesagt: "Immer sagst du Nein", wobei mein "Nein" oft nur ein vorläufiges ist. Also sagt Rhonda Ja zu allem, was ihr schwer fällt und berichtet in ihrem Buch darüber, wie es ihr damit ergangen ist, geht offen mit ihren Zweifeln, Ängsten und Erfahrungen um. Sie kann schreiben, keine Frage, es ist ihr Job. Aber darüber hinaus ist sie eine faszinierende und starke Persönlichkeit! Ich habe viele Denkanstöße bekommen und werde dieses Buch sicher immer und immer wieder als Inspiration heranziehen. Absolut empfehlenswert!

I just love her energy!!! Feels like chatting with a friend.

3.5 stars. Listened to this. This was good. As a fan of How to Get Away with Murder and Grey's Anatomy, I enjoyed hearing some of Shonda's insights into those shows. Really appreciated her insight and journey through saying yes (and sometimes no).

Loved! Very empowering and inspiring, with a little bit of celebrity gossip. Really made me think after reading it.

Definitely a 3.5. This book was fun. I can’t say I’ve heard Shonda speak a lot before but I’ve loved her shows. So, I definitely wanted an insight into the woman. And what a way to get to know her. She bares out all her insecurities, albeit hilariously and tells us what she did to overcome them. The whole book feels like a conversation with the reader, where she gives advice, motivates us and asks us to not be afraid. There were few parts of the book I really loved. Her whole discussion around accepting that marriage isn’t for everybody, motherhood takes a whole lot of effort and women shouldn’t be shamed for asking for help, and the idea that women always feel unnecessarily guilty while accepting compliments - all of these things resonated with me a lot and I really appreciated her talking about them so honestly. And she talks a lot about Christina Yang - how she let the character do and say a lot of things that she wanted to but couldn’t in real life. The idea that she drew courage from a fictional character might have seemed fascinating but weird to me a few years ago, but now I completely understand her. Everyone deserves that person in their life, whether real or fictional. If you like reading unconventional memoirs about successful women, you should checkout this book. If you have ever loved a show or character deeply in Shondaland, then I highly recommend this book to you. It is blunt, honest, self-deprecating and very hilarious. And I really liked that her most significant speeches were included. Very nice and enjoyable read.

This was so incredible, I admire this woman so much, and this book inspired me so much to say yes to so many things I have put aside because out of fear or laziness. I listened to the audiobook, and it was narrated by Shonda herself, it was such an enjoyable experience, recommended 10/10.

I have always been in awe of Shonda Rhimes for as long as I can remember. From the very first episode of Greys Anatomy; the added discovery that she was a favourite when I wasn't into the world of visual art in the manner I am now. I've been so happy to call two strong and honest women as my inspirations - JK Rowling and then Shonda Rhimes. You have been pivotal in my journey when you have entered it and never for a minute have you left. This book in particular is my wake up call to be more of a doer. To follow through on the things I have very confidently said yes to and buried it inside the vaults on my brain. I have so much gratitude to every word that Shonda has written for the screen and otherwise! For the worlds she created, for the characters she brought to life. You are right, you helped us feel less alone and that has to matter. "Year of Yes", is a reminder of who we are and why we should keep bettering that and celebrating that. The words are honest, witty, real and thoughtful. Let the words make the difference.

Really great book. Lots of inspiration to get your life in gear.

I saw someone else's review call this book a humble brag, and I have to agree with that. There were some valid points but I do believe the message of the book could probably have been condensed into an article. A lot of rambling. Don't get me wrong, I love Shonda, and anything Shondaland produces, but this book just felt long and dragged on a bit.

This was fun. Shonda speaks to me.