You guys! I finally did it! I finished my first hard copy book for the year! I know it took me way longer to read this book than my e-reader books, but wow, was this book worth it! Being a nonfiction text, I also think I tend to read that genre slower because I'm reading to learn and not to be entertained. I also like to highlight and mark quotes or passages of importance, so I can come back to them later. As you can see in the picture below, this book had a lot to say to me😁
As an introvert, this book spoke to me in so many ways. It took me a few years to figure out that I was an introvert during my college/young adult years. During that time, I many times wondered why I preferred the quiet to parties or the company of a few to hanging out with big groups. I thought there was something wrong with me and pushed myself to socialize more. As I moved into my career and motherhood, my introverted tendencies grew stronger, and I was too tired and stressed to push myself out of my comfort zone. Truthfully, I had to pretend to be extroverted at work daily, and it was exhausting. I started becoming more accepting of what I thought were my unusual and awkward preferences. Throughout the last couple years, I still struggled with questions of "Why can't I make friends easier?" and "What's wrong with me?" but I was getting better with embracing my true self.
I wish this book would have been around for me in college. I think I could have saved myself so much doubt and stress. This book talks about the power of being an introvert and what makes us so important to this world. Cain spends time going through how America's idea of a successful person grew and change over the years to focus on the charismatic and extroverted leader we are all familiar with today. She discusses her own experiences as well as stories from regular people and examples of famous people (Steve Wozniak was the one that surprised me the most) who consider themselves introverted. The book goes on to discuss the strengths of introverts as well as highly sensitive people. It never criticizes extroverts (At least I don't think so, but I'm reading this as an introvert. I am curious to hear thoughts on it from extroverts), but focuses on how introverts are benefical and useful to our society. Cain also gives advice and tips on how to be successful in a culture or workplace that values extroversion personality traits.
If you think you are introverted or maybe have introverted tendencies, I highly recommend this book. It help me become more confident in my own strengths. It was also so comforting to see Cain and the examples or researchers in her book say things that I've thought. All this time, I've struggled and thought there was something wrong with me. While in the last years, I've felt more confident with myself, this book really helped me see the value of the way I think and act.
How Much Coffee Was Needed?
Since this book took me a long time to read, I didn't really need any extra coffee. There was a night or two where I stayed up a little later to finish a chapter or section, but for the most part, I just kept reading litte bits here and there.
What's Next?
For my next actual, hard copy book, I'm going with a histrocial fiction. The book is Dollface by Renee Rosen.
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