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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
In the midst of obtaining an English degree, it is hard to find the time or motivation to read for fun. However, I soon discovered that I had the time to listen to an audiobook on my commute to and from class. This book had been on my radar for awhile, and as a nonfiction book, I thought it would be a good candidate for a listen as opposed to a read. And as a highly sensitive "pseudo-extrovert", Susan Cain's novel about the power of introverts really resonated with me. In the retelling of a case study, Cain relates how for some introverts, "[t]he route to success is to be the sort of person [they are] not." This was definitely the case for me when I initially chose my career in finance, and reading this text helped reaffirm that I had made the right decision in my recent career change. Instead of partaking in back-to-back and often combative meetings in an open-plan workplace which sapped my energy, I have now found a job that can be performed in the comfort of my own home, with minimal meetings, and which allows me to spend time on in-character activities like reading and writing. Now that I have created a 'restorative niche' during my workday, I find that I have more energy in my free time to hang out with others and spend time on the things I enjoy most.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I had mixed emotions about this book. After the first half or so, I was almost ready to give up on it -- much of it read like another "How to Succeed in Business" self-help book -- but it picked up quite a bit, and most of the rest of the book was interesting and enlightening. It made me think (not for the first time) that maybe I should have been born Chinese. (Read the book to understand.) Even the good parts gave me mixed emotions -- alternating between "that's the way I am, and that's good," and "that's the way I am, and that's not good." I could relate to some of the childhood stories.
So, parts of the book were only worth two stars to me, but on the whole, I'll give it four stars.
So, parts of the book were only worth two stars to me, but on the whole, I'll give it four stars.
This was a reread for me. I found the book more interesting as I am able to see it through the lens of a wife & parent, and perhaps as my introvert identity becomes stronger as I get older.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
This is one of those books that I wish got the attention it deserves, because man it would've saved me so much struggle if schools and workplaces actually considered the needs of introverted people. I felt so seen by this book and it really validated a lot of the issues I've dealt with since joining the workforce especially.
I also wonder whether this book would have focused more on neurodivergence if it came out today. There's no mention of hiw autism or ADHD would play into being considered an introvert.
A fantastic, well-researched book, only issues were that it can be quite anecdote-heavy which made it very long, and it suffers from the common issue of being very America-centric with its cultural references. Got very tired of hearing about the Roosevelts and Wall Street and started skimming some sections out of frustration.
I also wonder whether this book would have focused more on neurodivergence if it came out today. There's no mention of hiw autism or ADHD would play into being considered an introvert.
A fantastic, well-researched book, only issues were that it can be quite anecdote-heavy which made it very long, and it suffers from the common issue of being very America-centric with its cultural references. Got very tired of hearing about the Roosevelts and Wall Street and started skimming some sections out of frustration.
Good collection of information about introversion vs extroversion and what relates to and causes these traits. Informative and, at times, riveting.
I was very disappointed that the book spent so much time on non-science/non-research material. It has sections that would best be described as self-help/parenting advice. The writing is quite adequate, but not interesting/exciting/humorous/etc. It simply does what it needs to do. These qualities removed a star from my review.
I was very disappointed that the book spent so much time on non-science/non-research material. It has sections that would best be described as self-help/parenting advice. The writing is quite adequate, but not interesting/exciting/humorous/etc. It simply does what it needs to do. These qualities removed a star from my review.
While I did do quite a bit of highlighting, overall, I was a bit disappointed in this book. Aside from the style--somewhat disorganized, highly repetitive (60-100 pages could have been shaved), and far too many anecdotes--it didn't really contain much new on introversion.
Yes, I had many "Aha!" moments—"Hey, that's me!" And yes, it's encouraging to have someone say, basically, "No, introverts are not weak and antisocial--they're introverts, and they're damn valuable." That said, I guess I was hoping for a book I could hand off to an extroverted family member and say, "Here, this will help you understand me better." This wasn't it. At the beginning at least (less so as it progresses), the book offers a sort of us vs. them picture in which extroverts are painted as inferior. I guess this is to compensate for the fact that American society has for years had the opposite bias, but the presentation doesn't make one eager to share the book with the extroverted love in his or her life. Also, the chapter I hoped to be most helpful--on introverted/extroverted romantic relationships--fell somewhat flat for me. While there were certainly some highlights, I don't think it really got extroverts right--it portrayed, specifically, a kind of aggressive extrovert rather than a general extrovert.
When it came to describing introverts, despite the many aha moments, I felt the book had too much emphasis on speaking up in academic settings and public speaking, which have never been much of an issue for me personally despite my scoring 96 percent on the introversion scale. When there is a substantial topic of interest to address, talking is not an issue, I don't think, any more for introverts than for extroverts. Many people struggle with public speaking, but I'm not sure it is primarily a reflection of introversion.
I also think the author confuses the authoratarianism in Asian culture with introversion and talks as though what are primarily cultural differences are owing to personality differences. The chapters on parenting seemed too obvious to me as an introvert, though an extrovert parent might find them helpful. The most interesting portion to me was the history of how extroversion became the preferred orientation in modern American society. Aditionally, some of the stuff about HSMs and LSMs was a bit of a slap upside my head to encourage me to at least try to be a little more HSM.
Yes, I had many "Aha!" moments—"Hey, that's me!" And yes, it's encouraging to have someone say, basically, "No, introverts are not weak and antisocial--they're introverts, and they're damn valuable." That said, I guess I was hoping for a book I could hand off to an extroverted family member and say, "Here, this will help you understand me better." This wasn't it. At the beginning at least (less so as it progresses), the book offers a sort of us vs. them picture in which extroverts are painted as inferior. I guess this is to compensate for the fact that American society has for years had the opposite bias, but the presentation doesn't make one eager to share the book with the extroverted love in his or her life. Also, the chapter I hoped to be most helpful--on introverted/extroverted romantic relationships--fell somewhat flat for me. While there were certainly some highlights, I don't think it really got extroverts right--it portrayed, specifically, a kind of aggressive extrovert rather than a general extrovert.
When it came to describing introverts, despite the many aha moments, I felt the book had too much emphasis on speaking up in academic settings and public speaking, which have never been much of an issue for me personally despite my scoring 96 percent on the introversion scale. When there is a substantial topic of interest to address, talking is not an issue, I don't think, any more for introverts than for extroverts. Many people struggle with public speaking, but I'm not sure it is primarily a reflection of introversion.
I also think the author confuses the authoratarianism in Asian culture with introversion and talks as though what are primarily cultural differences are owing to personality differences. The chapters on parenting seemed too obvious to me as an introvert, though an extrovert parent might find them helpful. The most interesting portion to me was the history of how extroversion became the preferred orientation in modern American society. Aditionally, some of the stuff about HSMs and LSMs was a bit of a slap upside my head to encourage me to at least try to be a little more HSM.
Not what I need at this point in life, but interesting for the business/organizational world to make sure we give introverts wavelength.
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced