dunguyen's review against another edition
3.0
Quiet is an interesting book that spawned a million copies. It was probably the first book to really talk up introversion instead of extroversion and therefore was a very important book when it got published.
The first part was pretty good with lots of sources and studies and deals with the image of introversion and explaining some of the studies that deals with introversion and extroversion. The last part was not as good as it became all anecdotes as it was related to how introverts could thrive in today's society and how you can deal with introverts. I thought it balanced the introversion vs extroversion well without taking a side although it could seem a bit passive aggressive sometimes. One thing I did not like was how absolute it was treating it almost as binary. She didn't explain a lot about ambiverts are people who are neither introvert or extrovert.
An important book that kickstarted a conversation we're better off for having but with flaws. Still an interesting read though, just remember to be critical about it too.
The first part was pretty good with lots of sources and studies and deals with the image of introversion and explaining some of the studies that deals with introversion and extroversion. The last part was not as good as it became all anecdotes as it was related to how introverts could thrive in today's society and how you can deal with introverts. I thought it balanced the introversion vs extroversion well without taking a side although it could seem a bit passive aggressive sometimes. One thing I did not like was how absolute it was treating it almost as binary. She didn't explain a lot about ambiverts are people who are neither introvert or extrovert.
An important book that kickstarted a conversation we're better off for having but with flaws. Still an interesting read though, just remember to be critical about it too.
skerhawx's review against another edition
3.0
I had a real love-hate relationship with this book. There's quite a bit of pop psychology (the author concludes on broad populations based on small, single studies of 61 male students, or anecdotal evidence), and that drove me a bit nuts.
But getting past that, Cain paints a beautiful picture of the power of Introverts, the way in which we tend to view the world differently, and to solve problems in a thoughtful way. She also helps paint ways in which the world (particularly the US) designs systems and institutions that cater to extroverts (schools, businesses). In doing so, introverts tend to have to "fake" extroversion in order to fit in and be recognized. I wonder, as she does in the book, what might happen if we more purposefully recognized the power of solitude and deep thinking, even at early ages, in solving deep problems.
But getting past that, Cain paints a beautiful picture of the power of Introverts, the way in which we tend to view the world differently, and to solve problems in a thoughtful way. She also helps paint ways in which the world (particularly the US) designs systems and institutions that cater to extroverts (schools, businesses). In doing so, introverts tend to have to "fake" extroversion in order to fit in and be recognized. I wonder, as she does in the book, what might happen if we more purposefully recognized the power of solitude and deep thinking, even at early ages, in solving deep problems.
bibliofiendlm's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not a big fan of nonfiction. I read this because our library is hosting a contest for reading this and the author is visiting our branch in February. This was an interesting read and gives insight into some of my coworkers but overall not quite my favorite kind of read.
mjhvollmer's review against another edition
Did not finish. I really enjoyed the information in this book, but because it reads like a textbook at times I found myself consistently picking up something else instead of finishing this. I guess I need the sparknotes version.
vincci's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating and engaging look at introversion and its related personality traits. Cain does a great job weaving together scientific research, personal anecdotes and actionable ideas.
lydiapresley's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Bittersweet is the first book I've read by Susan Cain, having completely bypassed Quiet (probably due to the amount of people I knew reading it and getting their summaries). I picked this title up, though, because my father's passing has really caused me to reflect inward and start to identify those moments of memory throughout each day as those of bittersweetness.
I really enjoyed Cain's exploration of the American need for super-positivity and the shying away we do of the "loser" culture. I see this reflected when I speak to my students about the lessons we learn from failing--but now I'm feeling like tackling "losing" as an idea on the classroom as well.
All this to say that this book has started me on a path to recognize and accept the loss of my own. To sit and embrace my own feelings of sadness without feeling the need to perform for others that I am "okay." I highly recommend this book as a thoughtful, slow meditation on what it means to be vulnerable and to show, embrace, and even celebrate the sadness in ourselves.
I really enjoyed Cain's exploration of the American need for super-positivity and the shying away we do of the "loser" culture. I see this reflected when I speak to my students about the lessons we learn from failing--but now I'm feeling like tackling "losing" as an idea on the classroom as well.
All this to say that this book has started me on a path to recognize and accept the loss of my own. To sit and embrace my own feelings of sadness without feeling the need to perform for others that I am "okay." I highly recommend this book as a thoughtful, slow meditation on what it means to be vulnerable and to show, embrace, and even celebrate the sadness in ourselves.