Reviews

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

philippakmoore's review against another edition

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4.0

Some aspects of her writing style weren’t for me but it was hard not to feel inspired and seen (if you’ve had similar experiences) reading this book!

lynnski723's review against another edition

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4.0

 Whereas I consider this a 4-star read, I can see where others would rate it differently.  This is a book of making changes in your life, finding another side of you.  I think ratings will be reflective of what people get out of the reading experience.  Personally, I really enjoyed it.  I think Shonda is a powerful woman and can be an inspiration to others – find her commencement speech on YouTube for just a taste.  I wish I had the courage to have a year of yes but honestly, it scares me.  And my “yeses” wouldn’t be nearly as big as hers. 

ronda_bowen's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

freckleduck's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is very much in my wheelhouse of books I am currently reading. In this book the author takes what starts out as a year, but ends up being longer and says yes to things in her life that she has said no to out of fear. She changes her life through these choices and becomes more herself.

jamersrae's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

bookish_nu's review against another edition

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5.0

It’s a yes for me! I’ll get to my review but there are so many parts of the book that spoke to me. Loved it.

pheyreads's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

amandae129's review against another edition

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5.0

There are a few books in my life that I have found at exactly the right time for where I am in life (as an adult: Summer Sisters, The Celestine Prophecy, What Alice Forgot, and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think) and this one is now being added to that list. This is about a woman being at a place in her life that I and a lot of my friends currently find themselves in. Hearing about her journey out of it to a happier, healthier place is worthwhile and motivating. I highly recommend this on audio, as it's like having a conversation with a friend.

maiya_f's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

2.5

rachcannoli's review against another edition

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4.0

This is really more of a 3.5 for me, but the tidbits of all her incredible Shondaland shows were enough for me to bump it up.

As a long time lover of Grey’s Anatomy and all of her Shondaland shows, I’ve been well-versed in Ms Rhimes’ professional career for quite a while. Those were the bits I ate up and what I wanted more of, but of course, that’s not what this book is about and I most respect that.

As a whole the concept of opening yourself up to say yes to things that terrify you but could be life-changing is extremely inspirational. I have a massive amount of respect for what Shonda has not only achieved professionally but in her personal journey of self-love. It’s wonderful to read about and full of some great tips I hope to take and implement into my own life. It reads like a conversation with Shonda as she write very similarly to how she speaks and I think she hopes to make this be not only aspirational, but relatable.

That being said, while I appreciate her efforts, I don’t the relatability aspect is achieved and at times comes off as a bit preachy. I always knew Shonda was extremely opinionated, it comes off very clearly in anything she’s ever written, but damn does she have strong opinions about literally everything. I respect in people, I’m a similar person, but what frustrates me is the way she comes off saying them like if you think otherwise you’re wrong. It’s frustrating to get constantly berated by this and while she keeps joking about it to try and lighten it up, it never really works how I think she intended.

I also think my higher rating has A LOT to do with switching to the audiobook halfway through. Like a text message or email, since this book literally reads like someone’s voice recording or conversation with yourself, it’s hard to gather a tone of voice or intention that way. A lot of my negative emotions when going in had to do with reading this jumble of thoughts. Like her worst speeches in her shows, it just felt so extra and complainy and difficult for me to empathize in any way. As soon as I switched to the audiobook book, I enjoyed myself so much more. It was much more conversational, how I’m sure it was intended, and everything worked so much better in her voice. While I still don’t agree or understand a lot of her stances, hearing her speak was much more understandable and moving than reading the words. It hit a lot harder and helped me to grapple with her headspace.


Basically Shonda, as always, is a polarizing person and this book is literally just her brain on the page. If you love her you will utterly adore this book and if you don’t, nothing in this will change your mind. I enjoyed a lot of the read in the end, especially every Grey’s Anatomy insight shared with us. I recommend the audiobook whole heartedly if you’re a fan, and have some patience if she’s not your cup of tea. Not my favorite creator, but I always am drawn to talent and for the most part enjoyed the read.