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Give Me a Year: 12 New Things to Embrace Change and Live Your Best Life
2026 IPPY Awards Silver Medalist in Cover Design - Non-Fiction
AMAZON BEST SELLERIn Give Me a 12 New Things to Embrace Change and Live Your Best Life, author, entrepreneur, and adventurer Shonda Scott provides a kinder, gentler way to treat the most important person in your you!
Chronicling the evolution of Shonda’s 12 New Things® Challenge—a resolution to try something new every month for a year—this book illustrates how making time for new experiences (whether big or small) is the key to unlocking a more fulfilled, joyful life. From swimming across the San Francisco Bay to skiing amid the deserts of Dubai, Shonda shares many of her life-changing 12 New Things adventures so you too can begin living a better, healthier, more evolved lifestyle. The lessons from Shonda’s personal and professional challenges underscore the power of transformation through trying new things.
With engaging stories, actionable insights, and reflection prompts, this book is an essential guide on how to embrace change, overcome fear, and take bold steps toward personal growth. Whether you are seeking more meaning in your life, are trying to pivot and elevate through change, or just want to find more fun, Give Me a Year will provide you with the key to opening countless doors of opportunity that will lead to a whole new you after the next twelve months.
AMAZON BEST SELLERIn Give Me a 12 New Things to Embrace Change and Live Your Best Life, author, entrepreneur, and adventurer Shonda Scott provides a kinder, gentler way to treat the most important person in your you!
Chronicling the evolution of Shonda’s 12 New Things® Challenge—a resolution to try something new every month for a year—this book illustrates how making time for new experiences (whether big or small) is the key to unlocking a more fulfilled, joyful life. From swimming across the San Francisco Bay to skiing amid the deserts of Dubai, Shonda shares many of her life-changing 12 New Things adventures so you too can begin living a better, healthier, more evolved lifestyle. The lessons from Shonda’s personal and professional challenges underscore the power of transformation through trying new things.
With engaging stories, actionable insights, and reflection prompts, this book is an essential guide on how to embrace change, overcome fear, and take bold steps toward personal growth. Whether you are seeking more meaning in your life, are trying to pivot and elevate through change, or just want to find more fun, Give Me a Year will provide you with the key to opening countless doors of opportunity that will lead to a whole new you after the next twelve months.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published September 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 5, 2026
Another Oprah bust. Obviously this woman comes from a privileged background and while the idea of trying something new each month is appealing and a great idea, this woman is a humble bragger. Her examples are not accessible to many. Most public servants cannot hire caterers for a dinner with strangers, take multiple trips to exotic places like Dubai and Fiji, constantly stay in resorts, etc.
Despite her attitude that this idea is accessible for all, her examples suggest the truth that wealth enables one more freedom and choice. She seems oblivious to this despite attempts at humility.
Despite her attitude that this idea is accessible for all, her examples suggest the truth that wealth enables one more freedom and choice. She seems oblivious to this despite attempts at humility.
August 2, 2026
Give Me a Year is an uplifting and practical reminder that meaningful change doesn't require a complete life overhaul—it often begins with one small step into the unfamiliar.
What I appreciated most is Shonda Scott's emphasis on curiosity over perfection. The idea of trying one new thing each month feels achievable while still encouraging readers to stretch beyond their comfort zones. Rather than creating pressure through unrealistic resolutions, the book offers a sustainable approach to personal growth rooted in exploration, openness, and self-discovery.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its blend of personal storytelling and practical guidance. Shonda's adventures are inspiring without feeling out of reach, and each experience reinforces the idea that growth happens when we intentionally embrace new opportunities. The reflection prompts and actionable exercises help readers turn inspiration into meaningful action, making the book as practical as it is motivating.
At its heart, Give Me a Year is about giving yourself permission to evolve. It reminds us that the life we want is often found on the other side of curiosity, courage, and a willingness to try something we've never done before.
An inspiring and highly practical read for anyone ready to embrace change, rediscover joy, and intentionally create a more fulfilling life—one new experience at a time.
What I appreciated most is Shonda Scott's emphasis on curiosity over perfection. The idea of trying one new thing each month feels achievable while still encouraging readers to stretch beyond their comfort zones. Rather than creating pressure through unrealistic resolutions, the book offers a sustainable approach to personal growth rooted in exploration, openness, and self-discovery.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its blend of personal storytelling and practical guidance. Shonda's adventures are inspiring without feeling out of reach, and each experience reinforces the idea that growth happens when we intentionally embrace new opportunities. The reflection prompts and actionable exercises help readers turn inspiration into meaningful action, making the book as practical as it is motivating.
At its heart, Give Me a Year is about giving yourself permission to evolve. It reminds us that the life we want is often found on the other side of curiosity, courage, and a willingness to try something we've never done before.
An inspiring and highly practical read for anyone ready to embrace change, rediscover joy, and intentionally create a more fulfilling life—one new experience at a time.
January 8, 2026
Give Me a Year is a refreshing reframe of personal growth that replaces pressure with possibility. Instead of rigid resolutions, Shonda Scott invites readers into a yearlong experiment of curiosity, courage, and compassion. Through vivid personal stories and thoughtful reflection prompts, the book shows how small, intentional shifts can create profound life change. Its strength lies in its accessibility, proving that transformation does not require perfection, only willingness. Uplifting, practical, and deeply human, this book feels less like a guide and more like a trusted companion for anyone ready to evolve one month at a time.
August 30, 2025
ARC Review
*Give Me a Year* by Shonda Scott, was a decent self-help read overall. While some parts felt a little preachy, there were still a handful of useful reminders and bits of advice that I could take away from it. The tone sometimes leaned more towards telling than guiding, which made the pacing feel heavy in spots.
That said, it’s not without value—especially if you’re looking for something motivational to flip through when nothing else is catching your eye. It’s a solid “in-between” read: not groundbreaking, but good enough when you want a push of encouragement and perspective.
*Give Me a Year* by Shonda Scott, was a decent self-help read overall. While some parts felt a little preachy, there were still a handful of useful reminders and bits of advice that I could take away from it. The tone sometimes leaned more towards telling than guiding, which made the pacing feel heavy in spots.
That said, it’s not without value—especially if you’re looking for something motivational to flip through when nothing else is catching your eye. It’s a solid “in-between” read: not groundbreaking, but good enough when you want a push of encouragement and perspective.
September 27, 2026
It was fun listening to Shonda’s adventures. I agree that doing new things helps keep your brain active and your life interesting. One new thing per month sounds doable, not too overwhelming. However, I feel like many of the things she did are not realistic for me. Still good advice and fun stories.
August 30, 2026
This was a simple book about trying something new every year. I enjoyed the activities that made me reflect on what I had accomplished. Additionally, they made me think and plan my next new things. Overall I enjoyed the book.
September 28, 2026
I like the idea of this book - 12 new things in a year. Although the author reiterates that you don’t have to have money to do new things, most of her personal examples required significant money. I’d like to try this knowing my budget is much different than hers. Good idea.
October 13, 2026
I had high hopes for this book after hearing the author on a podcast . The book was disappointingly simple and peppered with too much religion for my liking. Read it quickly as I was anxious to just get through it .
November 17, 2025
There’s knowing what you know, what you do and how you do it. I want to learn, enjoy and improve in all the 12s😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
September 26, 2026
One new thing each month is the challenge here with personal stories and reflection prompts. The monthly structure keeps it easy to follow.
October 1, 2026
The author inspired me to want to try new things each month to find more joy in my life, to grow, and overcome my fears.
October 27, 2026
A good reminder to create to-dos for your goals.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews