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A review by cassiealexandra
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This has been sitting on my shelf for many years and I’ve intended to read it even longer. I am glad I finally got to it, but even after pulling it from the bookcase, it still took a long time to read, nearly 5 months!
I appreciated so much of the content. I consider myself an introvert, but after reading this I’m questioning whether or not I lean more toward the center of a spectrum between introvert and extrovert than I realized. I found myself relating to both personalities at different moments.
I had not thought very much about how much of business and workplaces in the West are oriented around extroversion. Speaking up is rewarded. Working in groups is mandatory. (I’ve always hated group projects!) Cain’s interviews and research is well-presented and makes a strong case that individual work often results in greater creativity, open offices without barriers decreases concentration, etc. I liked her look at other cultures and countries as well and thought that section could have been expanded. Her applications toward the end of the book about communicating across the introvert-extrovert lines, pushing oneself outside of a comfort zone when necessary (but only for work that matters deeply, otherwise it won’t be worth it), and finding ways to refresh and come back to equilibrium after stepping out of one’s personality were great.
So why 4 stars? It may be due to my false expectations of what this book was. I thought it would be more accessible to everyday readers and introverts in general. It was, to an extent; however, it seemed much more relevant as a business book over a psychology book. Sometimes I also found the language and descriptions to be a bit densely phrased and difficult.
The bottom line: I am glad I read this book and gained a greater understanding of the way introversion and extroversion intersects with daily life, business, work, relationships, and culture.
— NOTES —
Genres: general nonfiction, psychology
— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Levity/Humility: 4
Information: 5
Transformation: 3
Gut: 4
Total: 4
I appreciated so much of the content. I consider myself an introvert, but after reading this I’m questioning whether or not I lean more toward the center of a spectrum between introvert and extrovert than I realized. I found myself relating to both personalities at different moments.
I had not thought very much about how much of business and workplaces in the West are oriented around extroversion. Speaking up is rewarded. Working in groups is mandatory. (I’ve always hated group projects!) Cain’s interviews and research is well-presented and makes a strong case that individual work often results in greater creativity, open offices without barriers decreases concentration, etc. I liked her look at other cultures and countries as well and thought that section could have been expanded. Her applications toward the end of the book about communicating across the introvert-extrovert lines, pushing oneself outside of a comfort zone when necessary (but only for work that matters deeply, otherwise it won’t be worth it), and finding ways to refresh and come back to equilibrium after stepping out of one’s personality were great.
So why 4 stars? It may be due to my false expectations of what this book was. I thought it would be more accessible to everyday readers and introverts in general. It was, to an extent; however, it seemed much more relevant as a business book over a psychology book. Sometimes I also found the language and descriptions to be a bit densely phrased and difficult.
The bottom line: I am glad I read this book and gained a greater understanding of the way introversion and extroversion intersects with daily life, business, work, relationships, and culture.
— NOTES —
Genres: general nonfiction, psychology
— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Levity/Humility: 4
Information: 5
Transformation: 3
Gut: 4
Total: 4