Quiet

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So now I go around asking everyone if they are an introvert or an extrovert. This was a compelling look into how and why introverts think the way they do and gives good arguments about how (forgotten) qualities of introverts are just as beneficial as those of extroverts. She gives good advice on how to get along with an introvert partner or parent an introverted child. (Weirdly, it did not cover introverts raising extroverts, which can still be a challenge). This book answered a lot of my questions and gave some credence to thoughts I’ve always theorized about. In the end, it’s a book about appreciating our differences and valuing each other.


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We like to think that we value individuality, but all too often we admire one type of individual— different kinds of introverts and extroverts. Introversion and extroversion interact with our other personality traits and personal histories, producing wildly different kinds of people.

The number of Americans who considered themselves shy increased from 40 percent in the 1970s to 50 percent in the 1990s, probably because we measured ourselves against ever higher standards of fearless self-presentation.

Extroverts tend to experience more pleasure and excitement than introverts do—

 Extroverts’ dopamine pathways appear to be more active than those of introverts Introverts, in contrast, are constitutionally programmed to downplay reward—to kill their buzz, you might say—and scan for problems. “As soon they get excited,” says Newman, “they’ll put the brakes on and think about peripheral issues that may be more important. Introverts seem to be specifically wired or trained so when they catch themselves getting excited and focused on a goal, their vigilance increases.”