Sponsored by Algonquin Books.
Claude McKay Love is just an average kid coping with violence, first love, and societal pressures as he steers his way past the signposts of youth. A young black man born on the South Side of Chicago, Claude just wants a place where he can fit. He decides to escape Chicago, to go to college, to leave the pressure cooker of his hometown behind. But as he discovers, he cannot; there is no safe haven for a young black man in America. Often hilarious and always moving, this fiercely original debut marks the arrival of a brilliant young talent.
Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!
Happy Birthday, Shonda Rhimes! If you somehow never heard of her, Shonda Rhimes is the genius behind Grey’s Anatomy, the longest-running medical drama series in America, and the person who turned Thursday night into TGIT. These days, you might know her through Netflix’s recent hit book-inspired series Bridgerton, which is produced through Shondaland. Whether you are a super fan, not really a fan, or somewhere in between, Shonda Rhimes’ debut book is worth the read.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
In this funny, profound, and intimate memoir, one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, Shonda Rhimes, reveals how saying “YES!” changed her life and how it can change your life as well.
With three hit television shows and three children at home, Shonda Rhimes has plenty of reasons to say no to Hollywood parties, speaking engagements, and all media appearances. Then the six words her sister Delorse muttered during Thanksgiving 2013: “You never say yes to anything,” changed everything and actually saved Shonda’s life.
Year of Yes was the best book to read during the final days of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. It was a little self help mixed with some biography, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Although I am a fan of Shonda’s work, I never knew much about her. I thought she was married. Through the book I learned not only is she not married, Shonda doesn’t plan to ever marry. I didn’t know she had kids. Shonda has three daughters and has always wanted to be a mother.
Despite not knowing her intimately, I still felt a kindred spirit in Ms. Rhimes as a fellow introverted F.O.D. who loves some Beyoncé and is perfectly content with not being the center of attention. Although I don’t have the same reservations about saying “Yes!” to new opportunities, I understood how Shonda could get herself into a seemingly insurmountable rut.
What I loved most about Year of Yes was how it felt more like a conversation than a book. I felt like Shonda and I were chatting over brunch and she was sharing all these anecdotes and lessons learned during the year she challenged herself to stop saying no to everything. There were plenty of lessons to be learned like ending the Mommy Wars, letting go of toxic people, and embracing the Ride or Dies. Truer words have never been spoken.
Until next time bookish friends,
Katisha
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