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The Introvert's Way

Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World
Nov 22, 2013jmikesmith rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The Introvert's Way is an informal, chatty book. The author is a blogger and seems to prefer short-form writing. The chapters are only three or four pages long and generally move briskly from topic to topic, not always with a connection between chapters. The vocabulary is simple and colloquial. Dembling writes in the first person plural, using "we" often as if she were speaking for all introverts. I found that a bit annoying, because I frequently disagreed with her about what introverts like and don't like and why they feel that way. She cites only a few research studies and admits she doesn't have the background to judge them, but nevertheless latches onto the idea that introverts must manage their "psychic energy" properly to feel happy. This essentially means knowing when and how to bow out of social situations without offending people. In spite of the informal tone, unsupported positions, and heavy emphasis on parties (the whole middle section of the book deals with strategies for surviving parties, which seem to be a major part of Dembling's life), there were some interesting observations and advice. I lean towards the introverted end of the personality spectrum, and some of what she writes makes sense to me. But everyone is different and you have to find your own way. Dembling's approach will not work for everyone.