From the Bookshelf of STEM Librarian Read-a-Long…

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Susan Cain

Start date: April 1, 2014

Finish date: April 15, 2014

Discussion: Science

Discussion leader: Kendra

Why we're reading this: This book has received a lot of attention in recent years, and not just among non-fiction science readers…more
[close] This book has received a lot of attention in recent years, and not just among non-fiction science readers. Author Susan Cain combines a literature review on the topic of introverts with interviews, personal reflections, and a call to action. Even though the book was released over two years ago, there is still much to discuss on the subject.

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Science

Hello?
By Theresa · 1 post · 4 views

last updated Jul 02, 2014 01:28AM

Which Michael Pollan books have you read? What did you think?
By Kendra · 1 post · 3 views

last updated Apr 28, 2014 07:20AM

What Members Thought

Apr 18, 2018 Lara rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, psychology, mcbh-staff-recommendations, 2018

Probably a little over a 4 for me, but not quite rounding up to a 5. It's not a perfect book, but it is still a really good one.

I am an introvert, so this book I read very slowly, just a-little-a-day sort of read. I had to take it slowly to process everything - so much that she wrote about was personally resonant, felt like things I've gone through or done. There is advice and research and plenty of personal accounts from different introverts in different fields.

The biggest drawback? The tone of Probably a little over a 4 for me, but not quite rounding up to a 5. It's not a perfect book, but it is still a really good one.

I am an introvert, so this book I read very slowly, just a-little-a-day sort of read. I had to take it slowly to process everything - so much that she wrote about was personally resonant, felt like things I've gone through or done. There is advice and research and plenty of personal accounts from different introverts in different fields.

The biggest drawback? The tone of the book can be a little defiant. Some might see it as antagonistic even. I can see that, but I have also spent years dealing with the "shy and quiet is a bad thing to be" sort of mindset from teachers, peers, etc. and it's still nice to hear that it's OK for you to hang back, to not want to go to parties or loud concerts or whatever. I've spent a long time coming to terms with myself and while I like who I am now and am in a profession that suits me, it has been a process. Seeing research to support that I am how I am and it's all perfectly in sync with my genetics and brain chemistry and so forth was refreshing. In a culture geared towards the opposite personality... well, that sort of stance does come off as defiant. Cain could occasionally sound like introverts were "better" but I felt it was more in how she was framing it. If she was writing a book framed for extroverts, the same research could be presented in a way to show the benefit of an average extrovert's response (as opposed to an average introvert's response). It was just the benefits of apples over oranges, so to speak - if you're writing the book on oranges, the benefits of the orange will be presented as more desirable. But oranges aren't better than apples; they are just different.

I do think it's an important book to read, whether extroverted or introverted. Introverts are definitely outnumbered in society, and in a very social-minded, gregarious, popularity-based culture, kids especially can get overwhelmed. But both personalities have their benefits and assets to offer, and one shouldn't be ignored or looked down on simply because it isn't as loud as another. ...more

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