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Malala & Shonda: Books That Shaped Our Lives
26 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Malala Yousafzai and Shonda Rhimes discussed influential books at a New York event.
- Rhimes cited Stephen King and Andre Agassi for their raw honesty in writing.
- Yousafzai recommended Trevor Noah and jokingly her own memoir.
Malala Yousafzai and Shonda Rhimes recently convened in New York for a fireside chat, coinciding with the release of Yousafzai's memoir, Finding My Way, and the 10th anniversary edition of Rhimes' Year of Yes. Both influential authors reflected on the literary works that significantly impacted their lives and writing processes.
Rhimes, 55, highlighted craft books like Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and Stephen King's On Writing from her book, Year of Yes. She also drew unexpected inspiration from Andre Agassi's memoir, Open, praising his candor for encouraging her own honesty in writing. Yousafzai, 28, humorously suggested her own memoir while also endorsing Trevor Noah's Born a Crime.
Yousafzai, whose memoir details her university years and mental health journey, aimed to offer hope to those struggling, emphasizing the importance of seeking help. Rhimes, 55, shared her aspiration for her book to empower readers, reminding them of their capacity to instigate change in their lives regardless of age.
