• Year of Yes

  • How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person
  • By: Shonda Rhimes
  • Narrated by: Shonda Rhimes
  • Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (24,937 ratings)

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Year of Yes  By  cover art

Year of Yes

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.

Critic reviews

"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)

Featured Article: 35+ Quotes About Hard Work to Keep You Motivated and Moving Forward


The things most worth doing require the most from us—it takes hard work to accomplish important tasks, achieve major goals, and realize your dreams. Commitment, sweat, exhaustion, frustration, and a willingness to fail are all necessary parts of taking on challenges. When you’re in the middle of a difficult project, there will be times when you’re tempted to simply give up. In such moments, look to these quotes about hard work to keep you going.

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What listeners say about Year of Yes

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    2 out of 5 stars

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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133 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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115 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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78 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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50 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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48 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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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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45 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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41 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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39 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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35 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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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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30 people found this helpful