Although I enjoyed reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (by Susan Cain) more than the other school summer read (Whistling Vivaldi), I grew tired of all the academic writing again (I AM an academic, but I read for pleasure more now and think I learn plenty from it), feeling the material was great for Ph.D. candidates.... I really pushed to try to finish this, as I am conscientious when I am expected to read books by the school, but in fact I never really discussed it, because the set-up was to "meet your group at a designated table during lunch" yesterday, and "my" table was already hosting twice as many people as could sit around it, so I and another started a second table, but nobody joined us. THere were also many many people not present for various reasons as scheduled during this somewhat insane week of meetings, and I find it somewhat irritating to spend so much time on a book and then not have an adequate amount of good time devoted to it... okay, enough griping, I have finished and can move on to more exciting reading!! I am an introvert big-time, and I understood many of the points Cain was making in her book, although there were times when I wondered if she was giving advice in situations she shouldn't have really known enough about in the context of this book (such as marital discord and a specific couple). I agree with her comment that we "admire" a remarkably narrow range of personality styles in our celebrity culture, and she gives much appropriate time to helping readers understand the "power of quiet", the need for many individuals to be alone to do their best work or even to be their best selves emotionally. Here are her (obvious?) conclusions towards the end of the tome: "Love is essential; gregariousness is optional. Cherish your nearest and dearest. Work with colleagues you like and respect. Scan new acquaintances for those who might fall into the former categories or whose company you enjoy for its own sake. And don't worry about socializing with everyone else. Relationships make everyone happier, introverts included, but think quality over quantity." Did I need to read the entire book to be persuaded of any of that?????

sending off to Pinklady60 in San Diego to fulfill a wish!

Received from MmeClinton. Thanks for seeing this on my wishlist and sending it to me. The book was recommended to me by a "quiet" friend.

trade paperback

An interesting study on the differences between introverts and extroverts and how they each function in our society.

Given to my friend Ann, who claims to be an introvert.

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