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Year of Yes: 10th Anniversary Edition
In this 10th Anniversary Edition, Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte, and more, not only revisits her galvanizing New York Times bestseller but gives readers an extraordinary cache of brand-new stories that showcase the continuing power that saying YES has had on her life.
In Shonda’s own “This book is the same as before, but it also is not. It is brand-new. It has changed. Transformed. Evolved. Grown. Just like me.”
In 2015, Shonda Rhimes, the trailblazing creative force behind some of television’s most beloved series, took on a challenge that would change her life forever. She decided to say yes to everything for a year, and the results were exhilarating. Hailed as “honest, raw, and revelatory” (The Washington Post) and “as fun to read as Rhimes’s TV series are to watch” (Los Angeles Times), Year of Yes quickly became a New York Times bestseller, captivating readers everywhere and inspiring them to undertake their own YES journeys.
In this celebratory and expanded anniversary edition, you’ll find more wildly candid and transformational chapters that reveal how the mega-talented Shonda, once a self-described introvert, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character—and how you can, too.
In Shonda’s own “This book is the same as before, but it also is not. It is brand-new. It has changed. Transformed. Evolved. Grown. Just like me.”
In 2015, Shonda Rhimes, the trailblazing creative force behind some of television’s most beloved series, took on a challenge that would change her life forever. She decided to say yes to everything for a year, and the results were exhilarating. Hailed as “honest, raw, and revelatory” (The Washington Post) and “as fun to read as Rhimes’s TV series are to watch” (Los Angeles Times), Year of Yes quickly became a New York Times bestseller, captivating readers everywhere and inspiring them to undertake their own YES journeys.
In this celebratory and expanded anniversary edition, you’ll find more wildly candid and transformational chapters that reveal how the mega-talented Shonda, once a self-described introvert, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character—and how you can, too.
- GenresMemoir
Audible Audio
Published October 14, 2025
28 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Shonda Rhimes
11 books2,362 followersIn this poignant, hilarious, and deeply intimate call to arms, Hollywood’s most powerful woman, the mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder reveals how saying YES changed her life—and how it can change yours too.
She’s the creator and producer of some of the most groundbreaking and audacious shows on television today: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder. Her iconic characters—Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Olivia Pope, Annalise Keating—live boldly and speak their minds. So who would suspect that Shonda Rhimes, the mega talent who owns Thursday night television (#TGIT), is an introvert? That she hired a publicist so she could avoid public appearances? That she hugged walls at splashy parties and suffered panic attacks before media interviews so severe she remembered nothing afterward?
Before her Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes was an expert at declining invitations others would leap to accept. With three children at home and three hit television shows on TV, it was easy to say that she was simply too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. Afraid of cocktail party faux pas like chucking a chicken bone across a room; petrified of live television appearances where Shonda Rhimes could trip and fall and bleed out right there in front of a live studio audience; terrified of the difficult conversations that came so easily to her characters on-screen. In the before, Shonda’s introvert life revolved around burying herself in work, snuggling her children, and comforting herself with food.
And then, on Thanksgiving 2013, Shonda’s sister muttered something that was both a wake up and a call to arms: You never say yes to anything.
The comment sat like a grenade, until it detonated. Then Shonda, the youngest of six children from a supremely competitive family, knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her.
This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes—from her nerdy, book-loving childhood creating imaginary friends to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her (like Cristina Yang, whose ultimate goal wasn’t marriage, and Cyrus Beene, who is a Republican and gay). And it chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and giving the Dartmouth Commencement speech; when she learned to say yes to her health, yes to play and she stepped out of the shadows and into the sun; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. Yes.
This wildly candid and compulsively readable book reveals how the mega talented Shonda Rhimes, an unexpected introvert, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character. And how you can, too.
She’s the creator and producer of some of the most groundbreaking and audacious shows on television today: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder. Her iconic characters—Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Olivia Pope, Annalise Keating—live boldly and speak their minds. So who would suspect that Shonda Rhimes, the mega talent who owns Thursday night television (#TGIT), is an introvert? That she hired a publicist so she could avoid public appearances? That she hugged walls at splashy parties and suffered panic attacks before media interviews so severe she remembered nothing afterward?
Before her Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes was an expert at declining invitations others would leap to accept. With three children at home and three hit television shows on TV, it was easy to say that she was simply too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. Afraid of cocktail party faux pas like chucking a chicken bone across a room; petrified of live television appearances where Shonda Rhimes could trip and fall and bleed out right there in front of a live studio audience; terrified of the difficult conversations that came so easily to her characters on-screen. In the before, Shonda’s introvert life revolved around burying herself in work, snuggling her children, and comforting herself with food.
And then, on Thanksgiving 2013, Shonda’s sister muttered something that was both a wake up and a call to arms: You never say yes to anything.
The comment sat like a grenade, until it detonated. Then Shonda, the youngest of six children from a supremely competitive family, knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her.
This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes—from her nerdy, book-loving childhood creating imaginary friends to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her (like Cristina Yang, whose ultimate goal wasn’t marriage, and Cyrus Beene, who is a Republican and gay). And it chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and giving the Dartmouth Commencement speech; when she learned to say yes to her health, yes to play and she stepped out of the shadows and into the sun; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. Yes.
This wildly candid and compulsively readable book reveals how the mega talented Shonda Rhimes, an unexpected introvert, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character. And how you can, too.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 3, 2025
4.5⭐️
🎧 I'm so glad I did audio for this one! Shonda Rimes is not only an amazing writer and storyteller, but a fantastic and animated narrator. I also really liked having the original audio for the few speeches mentioned. This book was fun, empowering, and actually made me think deeper. I really enjoyed it!
🎧 I'm so glad I did audio for this one! Shonda Rimes is not only an amazing writer and storyteller, but a fantastic and animated narrator. I also really liked having the original audio for the few speeches mentioned. This book was fun, empowering, and actually made me think deeper. I really enjoyed it!
October 12, 2025
read if you like:
📺 Greys Anatomy, Scandal or Bridgerton
🥺 introverts
✍️ writing in Hollywood
summary:
This original book came out in 2015, but in honor of its 10 year anniversary, Shonda Rhimes has expanded on it with new chapters to share how her life has evolved since her original goal to “say yes”. The book is a refreshingly honest, funny, and inspiring memoir about what happens when one of the most powerful women in television decides to stop saying “no” to everything that scares her — and starts saying “yes” instead.
Shonda Rhimes, the genius behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, brings readers behind the scenes of her high-powered, high-pressure world. Despite her success, she admits to being deeply introverted and often paralyzed by fear. When her sister challenges her to start saying “yes” to more opportunities, she commits to a full year of stepping outside her comfort zone — saying yes to public speaking, self-care, her kids and to confidence when she’d normally be scared.
What makes this book so great is Rhimes herself — witty, sharp, and unapologetically real. She doesn’t sugarcoat her struggles with anxiety, body image, or motherhood, and her self-deprecating humor makes her both relatable and kind. It’s an important reminder that growth often comes from discomfort and that “yes” can be radically empowering! By the end, you can’t help but feel motivated to find your own version of a “year of yes” — to embrace the things that scare you and open yourself up to new experiences.
Thanks to Simon Element, S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, and NetGalley for the ARC, and check out this expanded book when it releases on April 14!
📺 Greys Anatomy, Scandal or Bridgerton
🥺 introverts
✍️ writing in Hollywood
summary:
This original book came out in 2015, but in honor of its 10 year anniversary, Shonda Rhimes has expanded on it with new chapters to share how her life has evolved since her original goal to “say yes”. The book is a refreshingly honest, funny, and inspiring memoir about what happens when one of the most powerful women in television decides to stop saying “no” to everything that scares her — and starts saying “yes” instead.
Shonda Rhimes, the genius behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, brings readers behind the scenes of her high-powered, high-pressure world. Despite her success, she admits to being deeply introverted and often paralyzed by fear. When her sister challenges her to start saying “yes” to more opportunities, she commits to a full year of stepping outside her comfort zone — saying yes to public speaking, self-care, her kids and to confidence when she’d normally be scared.
What makes this book so great is Rhimes herself — witty, sharp, and unapologetically real. She doesn’t sugarcoat her struggles with anxiety, body image, or motherhood, and her self-deprecating humor makes her both relatable and kind. It’s an important reminder that growth often comes from discomfort and that “yes” can be radically empowering! By the end, you can’t help but feel motivated to find your own version of a “year of yes” — to embrace the things that scare you and open yourself up to new experiences.
Thanks to Simon Element, S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, and NetGalley for the ARC, and check out this expanded book when it releases on April 14!
November 2, 2025
Loved, Loved, LOVED this ❤️
Shonda-land who has had me ugly cry on a routine basis whenever I watch anything her genius has had her hands on.
Shonda, who has single-handedly shown the complexity of humans in all her shows, who celebrates those from all walks of lives and brings the joy and despair to the lives to the forefront of each of the shows.
And, that of her writing, remains timeless and utterly beautiful.
Shonda, who has shown that, every person is capable of changing their lives by recognising their patterns.
Shonda, who is a great spokesperson for inspiration and creativity 👏
Shonda, who lifts up the lifes who is around her through her life, both in the professional sense and that in her personal life.
Amazing, a true masterpiece and an absolute pioneer in her field. Thank you for your inspiring story and life.
10/10 memoir.
Shonda-land who has had me ugly cry on a routine basis whenever I watch anything her genius has had her hands on.
Shonda, who has single-handedly shown the complexity of humans in all her shows, who celebrates those from all walks of lives and brings the joy and despair to the lives to the forefront of each of the shows.
And, that of her writing, remains timeless and utterly beautiful.
Shonda, who has shown that, every person is capable of changing their lives by recognising their patterns.
Shonda, who is a great spokesperson for inspiration and creativity 👏
Shonda, who lifts up the lifes who is around her through her life, both in the professional sense and that in her personal life.
Amazing, a true masterpiece and an absolute pioneer in her field. Thank you for your inspiring story and life.
10/10 memoir.
November 18, 2025
Listened to it on audiobook.
If I would have actually had to sit down on read it, it wouldn’t have kept my attention. Not because it wasn’t interesting, but just because I wouldn’t have been able to hear Shonda’s way of speaking. I found it enjoyable.
If I would have actually had to sit down on read it, it wouldn’t have kept my attention. Not because it wasn’t interesting, but just because I wouldn’t have been able to hear Shonda’s way of speaking. I found it enjoyable.
September 8, 2025
What a great book. I laughed and I cried. Inspiring and a wonderful look inside the worlds she created on TV. When Christina Yang cries, I cry - and now I have a better understanding of why.
December 12, 2025
I love her storytelling and narration!
October 19, 2025
I listened to the original audiobook 10 years ago and loved it, so my Grey’s/Scandal-nerd heart was very happy that there were additional Shonda thoughts to be had.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews