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

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

Susan Cain

Start date: July 1, 2021

Finish date: July 31, 2021

Discussion: Book Club 2021

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Book Club 2021

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What Members Thought

Jul 30, 2013 Mark rated it really liked it

For me the most interesting parts of this book were:

(1) The author's discussion of America and Western society's evolution form a "Culture of Character" to a "Culture of Personality" ,
(2) The role the amygdala may play on one's temperament, emotions, personality, whether one is an introvert or extrovert, etc. (Chapter 4)
(3) Part 3: Do All Cultures Have An Extrovert Ideal? - Chapter 5: Soft Power: Asian-Americans and the Extrovert Ideal.

The author discusses how our culture undervalues introverts, ...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Tracy Black rated it it was amazing

Excellent book! So much of it hit home for me. Packed with information and advice for the introvert. Also a must read for the extrovert, so you guys will quit getting your feelings hurt when we leave early from a party.

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Jan 29, 2013 Grace rated it really liked it

Disclosure: When I signed up to read Quiet, it was because I wanted to learn more about the differences between extroversion and introversion so I could be a better business owner and work with my employees better. I also wanted to be able to write characters in books better. It is with these to things in mind that I read the book and I write this review.

Quiet is an interesting book in the topic, but it is nothing so new as to be completely stunning to me. Anyone that has taken a psychology or Disclosure: When I signed up to read Quiet, it was because I wanted to learn more about the differences between extroversion and introversion so I could be a better business owner and work with my employees better. I also wanted to be able to write characters in books better. It is with these to things in mind that I read the book and I write this review.

Quiet is an interesting book in the topic, but it is nothing so new as to be completely stunning to me. Anyone that has taken a psychology or personality test knows that there are introverts and extroverts. We practically grew up with the terms through our youth. At least here in western cultures. And that is precisely the point that Cain makes with Quiet.

The first 2/3 of the book is really about what introversion is, how people that are considered introverted and quiet are different from extroverts fundamentally and in personality, and what makes us introverted genetically and culturally. Cain does a wonderful job of laying all three of these points throughout the third, then expounding upon them for the second third of the book. You'd think this could drag on and get boring, but it really doesn't. Instead of writing this in a dry academic tone, Cain writes in a popular science sort of way, but her own quiet confidence shows through. I suppose in parts one could find it boring, as I did not find it necessary to constantly run to pick up the book every second I had free. It is a smooth read, thoughtfully laid out, and with a LOT of well researched information.

The last 1/3 of the book was more of a self-help feeling. I can say I wasn't impressed by this part, but that does not mean it wasn't bad, nor was it helpful. It just seemed like common sense to me. When you read it, and surely you will, you'll see that Cain goes through one chapter about how to comes to terms with and work with the introversion in adult people. These are focused around interpersonal relationships as well as in the work place, so it's quite useful for those that are not as intuitive to both sides of the introversion-extroversion argument. Another chapter is devoted entirely to the raising of and working with introverted children. I found this section much more helpful as Cain brought up the school system, and I just happen to be an educator. She points out that children are just miniature adults, and should be treated and worked with accordingly, perhaps with a lot more care for the most sensitive of the bunch.

Despite of me feeling that this stuff was obvious, I also realise it is very necessary to state many of these things. It is a very good book for people that would like to know more about the whys and hows of introversion, how to step into or out of your own introversion or extroversion to the other side, and how to work with people that are introverted or extroverted. Not only does this book has a lot of applicable use to it as a psychology book, it really celebrates those quiet, reflective introverted moments of everyone's life.

Disclaimer: I was given this book to review by WaterBrook Multnomah Press. I am under no obligation to give a good review, just an honest one. ...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Mikayla rated it it was amazing

Super interesting, I love perspective changing books, since that isn't an easy thing to do and I think Quiet presented its insight on introverts with such an open, non agenda view without anything against extroverts. Love the insights, I can't say I have a clearer picture of introversion, but I think this book tries to find a balance between the two sides and open up different perspectives and studies and information that I hadn't heard before, fascinating. ...more

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Jul 09, 2013 Barb marked it as tossed

Shelves: library-book, audiobook

I'm finding I don't do well with nonfiction audiobooks. I wanted to skip ahead a lot. I thought this was written for introverts & would contain tips on how to better get along in our pro-extrovert society. I found though, that this is written more as a reassurance to introverts that you are fine the way you are & that extroverts should value you more. I don't know, I may pick up the paper version of this someday. Just wasn't into this as an audiobook. ...more

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Nov 06, 2013 Felly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: procrastinating-with-this-one, everyone-s-talking-about-this, environment-and-deep-issues, favourite-and-change-my-life, 2013, audiobook-is-awesome

The world is divided into 2 kind of person : introverts and extroverts. Sadly being introvert is always judged not good for many people. This book revealed that this GOOD extroverts culture among us. However within introvert person there is a huge power and even an extrovert cannot have that. Being an introvert is fine and it is a strength NOT a flaw!

PS: My favourite book this year for sure :)

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