A review of the books Year of Yes and This Is Where It Ends.
It was a great reading week for me, with two very different, but great books! Here’s what I read this past week and what I’m reading now.
Shonda Rhimes is the writer behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Private Practice and How To Get Away With Murder. It’s no doubt that Shonda is an extremely busy, successful woman. What’s not known is Shonda has severe anxiety…numbing anxiety…which keeps her from saying yes to anything that puts her in the spotlight. Year of Yes highlights Shonda’s year of committing to say yes to anything that came her way… playing with her kids, giving commencement speeches, doing TV interviews, etc. What resulted was a life changing year for Shonda, including a 120 pound weight loss.
I know for me, when I did the summer of yes this past year with my kids, it changed how I viewed the word yes in a very positive way. I could relate to this book so much because I learned before reading it even how powerful “yes” can be!
Fans of Shonda Rhimes shows will love her writing style and the inside peek into her life. Even non-fans will gain new perspectives and be inspired by Year of Yes. You can buy Year of Yes on Amazon here and add it to your want to read shelf on Goodreads here.
This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp is one of those books that is so good, yet incredibly hard to read because of the subject matter. This is Where it Ends chronicles a school shooting told in the matter of 54 minutes and from 4 different perspectives. It’s a harrowing book of fear and survival.
It’s hard for me to say I liked this book, because I know this situation is the nightmarish reality for so many kids. The author did an amazing job of making me feel like I was right there in the auditorium, as terrifying as that was.
If you are looking for a fast paced, can’t book down, young adult novel this is a great read for you. Just be ready to hold on tight!
You can buy This is Where it Ends on Amazon and add it to your Want to Read shelf on Goodreads here.
Up next for me is:
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
and
Someday, Someday by Lauren Graham.
Have you read any great books lately? Let me know in the comments section below! Happy reading!
For more book review posts, check out my Books category on Dine & Dish and follow me on Goodreads!
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My theme for this year is “YES!” so it’s my “year of yes” too! I’ve wanted to read Shonda Rhimes’ book but it isn’t at the library and I have SO MANY books on my “to read” shelf that I can’t justify ordering it. Love that you read it. I will at some point. Looks like it would really fit into my 2016!
Big love!
I just ordered Shonda Rhimes book and can’t wait to read it! I’ve read The Bell Jar and I absolutely love it. I’ve always been a huge fan of Sylvia Plath’s work and this is no exception.
Come Away with Me by Karma Brown and The Dirty Life: A Memior of Farming, Food, and Love were both books I have read recently that I loved.
I haven’t heard of these books before but I love this concept!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I just finished The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marion Keyes and am now reading Funny Girl by Nick Hornby. Both are favorite authors of mine. Both are the kind of book you don’t want to finish because you’ll miss it, miss the characters when you’re done. Highly recommend these!!! I love that you are doing this and that you can feed my reading appetite with your suggestions!
I totally just started Year Of Yes…I am liking it so far but not many chapters in. Super curious to know if I will love it or just feel meh. So far, am not swept away…but perhaps its hurting that I really don’t know or adore her professional work?
So one of the reasons I really loved it is I love her shows and can actually hear her characters through her writing. It’d be interesting to see how you feel about it not being a Shonda fan!
I thought she was quite arrogant, but knowing her through her shows, I expected that. And goodness… being a woman in that industry and being so successful, I’d think you’d have to have some sort of confidence to even make it!
Let me know how you like it!
i cannot wait to read this. 🙂 🙂 🙂