Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Jun 23, 2014 Hannah added it

Shelves: sociopolitical-sociocultural

This book was extremely validating. I have a hard time expressing (and getting people to believe) that I'm an introvert, since I'm also outgoing and will fill awkward space with talking, even if I am simultaneously really uncomfortable with my doing that. So much of this book explained how and why I function the way I do, and it also prompted a lot of self reflection that made me feel uncomfortable (I hate being self-helpy) but was also really good for me. Also, Cain is just a good writer. I had ...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Grace rated it really liked it

Author: Susan Cain
Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Won’t Stop Talking
Description : The United States, according to Cain, is the most extroverted nation on the planet, yet one-third to one-half of people are born introverts. Is it a character flaw to be introverted? Can one succeed in spite of this in-born handicap?
Source: This is my book group’s selection for April.
Writing style: You can tell the book was written by an introvert. It’s not flashy, chatty, or fast-paced. It ...more

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May 17, 2013 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: american-nonfiction

This book was incredible. First of all, for non-narrative nonfiction, it's incredibly well-written. Lots of storytelling to introduce research. Then, there's the actual content. As an introvert, I appreciated how well it explained myself to me, including why people sometimes think I'm an extrovert. It also has terrific advice for parents, teachers, and bosses working with introverts, given the way USAmerican culture tends to reward extroversion, and it provides examples of cultures that approach ...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Ann rated it it was ok

I am as introverted as they come. I dread parties, I like to talk to people one-on-one or in small groups, and I love sitting alone with my own thoughts or a good book. I generally score 100% introversion on personality tests. I thought I'd like this book, but here's why I didn't:

*The author seems to have a chip on her shoulder, like the world of extroverts has done her wrong. I've never felt out of place or different as an introvert. I've also never really felt outnumbered by extroverts.
*She se ...more

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May 21, 2012 Rae rated it liked it

Shelves: 2012, sociology-current-affairs

A very readable look at the differences between introverts and extroverts--and how one personality type has dominated our world.

I was especially intrigued by the chapters on free will and the nature/nurture neuroscience.

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Sep 12, 2013 Lisa rated it it was ok

Shelves: audiobook, 2015, nonfiction, psychology

Meh. The bits where she focused on the science behind introversion were super interesting. The author seemed mainly interested in how introverts can be just as "successful" as extroverts in various domains traditionally owned by extroverts. As an introvert who is profoundly average, this just made me feel like not only am I lesser than extroverts who are awesome at person-ing in our extrovert-friendly world, but I'm also a failure compared to all the power-lawyer introverts that populate the aut ...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, audio-2013

NOTE: I listened to this on audio

Amazingly, I learned a lot about myself (NOT an introvert) by listening to this book. Very interesting, but got boring at times when she started talking about the brain too much.

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