As a self-proclaimed "introvert" this book peaked my interest on a whim. I was looking for something new to read from my local e-library (have you tried Overdrive Media App? That's a post for another day.) I stumbled across Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking and decided to give it a go. I thought maybe it would help me "fix" my introverted behavior.
Regardless of where you fall on the introvert-extrovert scale, as a teacher, parent, friend, or sibling, I urge you to read this book. My whole world has been opened. Until I read this book, I thought that there was something wrong with me.
As it turns out, I'm good as an introvert. I don't need fixing. I just need to re-frame my perspective and this book helped me to do just that.
Cain takes studies, interviews and puts them into an easy-to-follow story line where every word packs a punch. She explores the concept of introversion in our very extroverted culture.
I think one of my favorite paragraphs is, "Yet inner behavior was still behavior, thought [Dr.Elaine] Aron, even if it was difficult to catalog. So what is the inner behavior whose most visible feature is that when you take them to a party they aren't very pleased about it? She decided to find out."
I laughed out loud as I read that because I have never been able to explain why I dread (with anxiety attacks) going to a party.
Cain catalogs old and cutting edge research on the topic of introverts, high-reactive personalities, and sensitive personalities. I have already benefited from reading the book in my own personal life, and with the way I talk to my three year old son who I suspect is a sensitive type. Maybe he's introverted like his mama, maybe he's more like his dad. Whatever the case, if you know someone who is an introvert or one yourself, your interactions will benefit from reading this book. Your introverted students will thank you - and if these findings are true, you may propel them into a very bright future by acknowledging and fostering their introversion.
