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

[Kristel]

I really enjoyed this work about introverts and extroverts. I appreciated the work that the author put into it and I liked the suggestions at the end on how parents and schools can help introverts take advantage of their unique ways of relating and learning and engaging. I found a lot of very interesting items about being an introvert and while there is no one type of introvert, it was very insightful for my own self awareness and also for how I will relate to my granddaughters. I learned some additional things about being an introvert and I also revisited things I knew either from my own experience or from other things I've read.

[punxsygal]

I've owned this book for a while. Really must get to it for my own introvert journey as well as helping the granddaughter of a friend who is a self-proclaimed introvert.

[Anita]

I really enjoyed this book tremendously and consider myself an introvert.

My dad then sent me this interesting article.

http://www.annabash.com/blog/introvert

I don't agree with the concept that there are "extroverted introverts". But I do think there are type A introverts (me, me) . . .and I think that is the person described in this blog. They are able to force an appearance of extroversion, but they don't actually enjoy it - - they simply feel it is required in certain social settings.

My household has three introverts and one extrovert, and the extrovert literally sails through life so easily, but he cannot stand being alone.

[Kristel]

Anita wrote: "I really enjoyed this book tremendously and consider myself an introvert.

My dad then sent me this interesting article.

http://www.annabash.com/blog/introvert

I don't agree with the concept that..."
I think the author covers the difference in introverts and that as long as you are passionate about your 'cause' then you are quite capable of taking on what appears to be extrovert behavior..

[Margaret]

This was among my favorite books the year I read it I'm among those introverts that most people think are extroverts

[Karin]

I haven't read this yet, but have been thinking about doing so. I want to know whatever happened to the term ambivert, and why we have to even use these labels. I hate the tests because they usually have only two choices, and many times both either equally a yes or equally a no or there is a third option not there.

I hate that so many articles and essays I've read (not this one, necessarily, since haven't read it) want to correlate deep thinking with introverts only or that all introverts are deep thinkers. It isn't what I've seen or experienced with the many, many, many people I've been able to know over the years as I've moved around, lived in different places. etc.

So, if this book allows for these differences, then I may bite the bullet and read it. Does the author address this?

[Kristel]

The author is not a researcher, she has only compiled research and reports it here. I think she has done a reasonably good job of that. I do think she addresses the issue of dichotomy verses variations. She makes a difference between shy and introvert and she makes a point of the introvert that can act extroverted as long as they stay true to their passions.. Perhaps I like the book because I am an introvert myself and if I was an extrovert maybe I would object to the book but it felt very comfortable to me. I really enjoyed looking at business, school, church life that has been made to reach out to "extroverts" leaving introverts feeling uncomfortable.

[Karin]

Thanks. I just have a hard time with labels such as this in general. I do think that the extrovert tends to get promoted many times in our culture, to the detriment of introverts, just as in some cultures introverts are lauded to the detriment of extroverts, in the most simplistic ways.

What bothers me is more that I have to choose answers that don't fit and I think some of this tends to cause more of a divide than necessary. I do know the difference between shy and introvert, and even that some people who are quiet and reserved are not shy (like my middle daughter; she is easy to spot as an introvert, but she inherits her need for lots of time for deep thinking from me who is not so quiet and reserved, but then most of my family isn't shy and reserved, whether they are extroverted or introverted or neither, perhaps some are ambiverted.)

[Anita]

I felt this book was favorable toward introverts and describes the differences very well. I am outgoing and friendly and an introvert. I don't see that as inconsistent because I get my energy from my alone time or one on one time with someone with whom I have a deeper relationship.

[Sarah]

Well gonna have to finally read this one myself. As an introvert myself I feel like everyone should probably read this.

[Karin]

Anita wrote: "I felt this book was favorable toward introverts and describes the differences very well. I am outgoing and friendly and an introvert. I don't see that as inconsistent because I get my energy from ..."

Well, I usually think of myself as an introvert because I get my energy from alone time and deep thinking, but I am not just outgoing and friendly, I was born with a Stage Voice that carries even when talking quietly unless I work very hard to turn it off which gives the wrong impression that I like to be overheard, and I enjoy talking; it eventually exhausts me, but not as quickly as it does most introverts.

[Denizen]

It's been several years since I've read the book but it didn't resonate with me. I remember an emphasis on introverts not being comfortable with themselves (or having a rocky go for awhile until they learn to accept themselves) because of society's expectations. Phooey.

[Karin]

Denizen wrote: "It's been several years since I've read the book but it didn't resonate with me. I remember an emphasis on introverts not being comfortable with themselves (or having a rocky go for awhile until th..."

I agree. The child of mine who is the strongest introvert is extremely comfortable with herself.

[Jgrace]

I expect it depends on the attitudes you grow up with. I was always told to be 'more'; more outgoing, more friendly, more active, more talkative. I am extremely comfortable with myself, but it didn't come easy.