Quiet | Susan Cain | Audiobook Review

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

True story, I started college as a psychology major, hah until making the switch to education as a major because my psychology 101 professor never called on females and because I was passionate about my history classes but you know, I am practical. Anyways, things like behavior are interesting to me and while I might not be an expert or super educated in psychology, I still find books that explore those things fascinating. When Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain made the rounds, I was very much interested but didn’t really have time to learn all about introverts. Eventually I caved in and bought it on Audible, because audiobooks are my favorite way to experience non-fiction. After being in a I NEED VARIETY mood, I downloaded this to my iPhone and kept a listening ear ready.

Quiet by Susan Cain | Good Books And Good Wine

What Is Quiet By Susan Cain About?

Essentially, the title Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking says it all. The book opens with a story about Cain in a meeting sitting there quietly letting people talk over her and be rude and she’s got the impression that her contributions will not matter. Anyways, she gets this great idea, so she waits until the loudmouths shuts up and then quietly and calmly lays out her ideas. Everyone is astounded by her quiet confidence and she proves that introverts can be creative and awesome. This sets the tone for the book which basically compares introverts and extroverts and talks about why introversion is not the terrible thing society seems to make it out to be.

What Did I Learn?

Guys, as much as I thought I was an extrovert, I think I might be an introvert. The book talks about how our society places so much value on extroversion and group work that some people learn to fake extroversion just to get ahead and well you end up thinking you are an extrovert when you aren’t. My reasoning behind thinking I might be an introvert is that my ideal weekend involves not leaving the house and holing up with a book or my boyfriend, well probably the book before Tony. So, anyways, basically I learned that group work can stifle the creativity of introverts and that there’s nothing wrong with taking a pause to think something out.

How’s The Narration?

The narrator is Kathe Mazur and she’s basically perfect. Her voice is intelligent and crisp yet gentle and soothing. She has um, dulcet tones whatever that means. The audiobook is 10 hours and 39 minutes unabridged but does not drag. It’s produced by Random House and there are no weird noises at all. It’s a fantastic listen.

Who Would I Recommend Quiet To?

I think that Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain would be perfect for bookish types, because you’ll understand why you need to recharge your batteries after social outings better. I think that it would also make a good read for people who are convinced they are extroverted but have introvert tendencies. If you find pop psychology interesting, you’ll probably like this book. Also, I bet you’ll like this if you’ve taken one of those Meyer-Briggs test to heart.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

I Like Sweatpants And Staying Home

Basically this book told me I am an introvert and I think that this GIF kind of sums up why.

Disclosure: Purchased My Own Copy

Other reviews of Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain:

The Boston Bibliophile – “I really appreciated the thoughtfulness she brings to the subject
Reading For Sanity – “If you can’t tell, I’m sold on this book
S. Krishna’s Books – “a fascinating look at introversion

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. Sounds like a great listen! I read a similar book a few years ago (“The Introvert Advantage”) and it really is eye-opening to discover that introversion does not equal “shy.” In a weird way, it’s made me embrace – perhaps a little too enthusiastically – that part of myself that dreads long periods of interaction and social time. It’s okay to say no, it’s okay to need time alone, and I no longer feel bad about that at ALL. It’s just how my brain works.

  2. I really want to read this. Maybe I need to investigate nonfiction on audio, because it can really slow me down in print. I’m just not sure if I’d like it any more on an audiobook. Hmmmm.

    Anyway, this has been on my list of things to read since it came out, because hello it’s about me.

    Basically, the way I think of it is that introverts are drained by being social and extroverts are energized by it. I can go out and be social, but then I basically don’t want to see anyone for a couple of days. Whereas there are people who, left to their own devices for a day, are basically not functioning because they NEED PEOPLE.

    “She has um, dulcet tones whatever that means.” <-lols

    Also, fyi, your gif is doing weird things. If you have Jetpack's Photon thing turned on, that might be why. Or I just don't know.

  3. I read this book a while back and I learned a lot but I think it’s a much more insightful read for introverts. As an extrovert I had a hard time relating to some of it but I understand my quiet friends better!

  4. I adored this book as a very introverted person; it made me feel so much more comfortable with some aspects of my personality and more confidence in what I can contribute at work. Glad to hear the audiobook is a good experience!

  5. I am in LOVE with nonfiction audiobooks. They are great for mixing it up. I can totally relate to really being an intervert who has conditioned themselves to be an extrovert. Sweatpants and staying home, preferably with a book and wine, is always my first choice!

  6. I have had this on my TBR ever since I heard it on NPR (yep..I am one of THOSE) but I have been wary to pick it up because non-fiction makes me snooze and really aint nobody got time for that. Then I wanted to pick up the audiobook but it was a female narrator and I am a brat who only loves accented males reading to me..ahem..but I TRUST YOU so I am checking this out from work TODAY. I know that I am one of those peeps who has learned to be an extrovert for sure, so this is going to be awesome 🙂

  7. Even though I’m the kind of introvert that can be an extrovert when the situation calls for it, I still think I’m really just an introvert in general. My idea of a good time always involves quieter things — house parties, chilling at home, hanging out with a select group of people. So I think this book would be fascinating for me to read! It’d definitely help me understand my introvert side better, I think.