Book Recommendations from R.L. Maizes

'The Year of Yes,' by Shonda Rhimes

As a self-described introvert, Maizes says this book was essential reading before she embarked on the media circuit for 'Other People's Pets.' In 'The Year of Yes,' Shonda Rhimes - creator of 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Scandal' - opens up about her struggles with anxiety and fear, despite her massive success. When her sister called her out for saying no to practically everything, Rhimes realized she had to make a change in her life. For one year Rhimes said yes to everything that scared her. This book is poignant, hilarious memoir about how saying yes opened Rhimes' life up in ways she never could imagined, and how saying yes could open your life up as well.

‘Separation Anxiety,’ By Laura Zigman

It’s easy to see why Maizes finds this novel endearing: The main character takes to wearing her small dog in a BabyBjörn as her marriage crumbles, her career nosedives and her teenage son drifts further away. Separation Anxiety uses humor and compassion to explore the ebb and flow of our closest relationships, and the insecurities and fears that keep most of us from achieving our dreams.

‘You're Not Listening: What You're Missing And Why It Matters,’ By Kate Murphy

You’ve got two ears and one mouth for a reason, they say: Listen more, talk less. But we could all use a little help being better listeners, which includes knowing how to ask the right questions. Kate Murphy outlines how to ask questions of the important people in your life that actually help you know them better. Maizes says the book has helped her think differently about how she talks to everyone in her life, from her family to her professional relationships.

‘The Woman Next Door,’ By Yewande Omotoso

A story about the years-long feud between two neighbours, Marion and Hortensia, living in post-apartheid South Africa. Much like Other People’s Pets, The Woman Next Door connects the reader to the two main characters by detailing their backgrounds, allowing you to see how they came to believe the things they believe. After an unforeseen event forces these two polar opposite women together — one black and acerbic, the other white and racist — Omotoso picks apart the nonsensical notions that drive racism and classism.

‘Dear Edward,’ By Anne Nepolitano

When young Edward is the sole survivor of a plane crash, he’s forced to move through the world alone with a trauma few have experienced. Part drama, part mystery, Dear Edward asks a question that’s similar to the central premise of Other People’s Pets: When you’ve lost everything, how do you move forward?