The Year of Yes

Genre: Non-Fiction

I gave this book ****

This is the true story of how Rhimes, famed TV writer and producer of TV shows (such as Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder and more) mother to three girls and self-proclaimed workaholic said yes for an entire year. Yes to doing interviews, yes to playing with her girls (every time they asked, “Wanna Play?”), yes to losing weight, yes to taking care of herself. Yes, yes and yes. Through writing, her speeches and her past, Rhimes tells of how she got to be who she is today, a story-teller. Ultimately, though, we learn that one yes leads to more yeses and that those yeses lead to a more-open, more-strong, more self-loving, more accepting, happier Rhimes.

This is my second time listening to this book and it’s just as good as it was the first time. I think it’s because I’m a big fan of Rhimes’ show, Scandal. Olivia Pope is Rhimes, Rhimes is Pope. Her language is clear, her words biting and she makes no apologies for who she is. But, that’s not my favorite part. My favorite part is her discussion of the hum. The hum, you see, is what she feels when her stories and her writing work. That hum is what she craves and works towards. Where do I sign up? I want that hum. I always feel like writing these reviews is as close as I get to that hum. I wonder if that hum exists in other areas of life? Can one get a hum from washing dishes, folding laundry, doing yoga, doing homework with her sons, running errands? Whatever it is, I want a life full of hums. I love it! This book is smart, charming and an enjoyable read. If you are an audiobook fan, I would encourage you to listen to it.