Quiet

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

It's clear from Susan Cain's matter-of-fact yet earnest prose that she not only clearly understands her subject matter, but also deeply identifies with it.

In Quiet, Cain goes further than merely delineating the characteristic mannerisms of introverts, or the fascinating science behind introversion (did you know that one's introversion level may be deducible at birth?). She explains, with a slew of authentic examples, why the unsociable often trump the gregarious and why the diffident surpass the assertive. She sheds light on the power of the reticent, the ones who would rather lie in bed with a book than host a gathering, and the astuteness of the reserved. Without being downright partisan, Cain reveals why although sociability may be an enviable trait, the quiet and withdrawn too discover happiness and success in life.

An introvert myself, I connect with nearly all the "introvert-traits" that Cain discusses in Quiet - shyness, a penchant for "living in my head," a proclivity for indulging in solitary activities, among many - making this read not merely an informative experience, but also a personal one.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes non fiction, especially those along the lines of Malcom Gladwell's works.

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