11 Books for Introverts
I’ve compiled this list of books for introverts because I believe reading is one of the most powerful acts of self-care a person can partake in. A good book is a powerful thing. Reading can provide an escape when everything seems too much, it can also provide guidance on everyday life situations. There is nothing like the written word to make a person feel accepted and validated.
First rule of introvert club: there is no introvert club. Thank goodness.
It’s no secret, I’m a bit of an avid reader. Take a look at my book reviews section if you don’t believe me. It’s full of romance novels because they make me happy. However I also have a tendency to read a lot of self-help type books. Firstly because I think I can always be a better version of myself. Secondly, as a social worker I’m always looking for new tools and ways of looking at the struggles my clients face.
As an introvert myself, I know first hand the struggles of thriving in a world dominated by extroverts. It’s draining having to interact all day. Sometimes it’s downright baffling that people seem to enjoy being surrounded by others so thoroughly. A few months ago, I went on a hunt to find a book that would help me find a way to cope with all the extroverts in my life. I found some books that did the job. I also found some books that made light of things I do every day.
Regardless of tone and agenda, each of these books helped me feel validated in my introversion. These aren’t how to act like an introvert type books. They say “it’s okay to be an introvert.” That was refreshing.
I hope these books help you as much as they helped me. Without further ado.
11 Books for Introverts
QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
by Susan Cain
370 pages | Random House | January 24, 2012
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At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.
In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves. Read More
Related: Books for Introverts in Business
THE 5 SECOND RULE
by Mel Robins
240 Pages | Savio Republic | February 28, 2017
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Throughout your life, you’ve had parents, coaches, teachers, friends and mentors who have pushed you to be better than your excuses and bigger than your fears. What if the secret to having the confidence and courage to enrich your life and work is simply knowing how to push yourself?
Using the science of habits, riveting stories and surprising facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art and business, Mel Robbins will explain the power of a “push moment.” Then, she’ll give you one simple tool you can use to become your greatest self.
It takes just five seconds to use this tool, and every time you do, you’ll be in great company. More than 8 million people have watched Mel’s TEDx Talk, and executives inside of the world’s largest brands are using the tool to increase productivity, collaboration, and engagement.
The secret isn’t knowing what to do—it’s knowing how to make yourself do it. Read More
THE CHARISMA MYTH
by Olivia Fox Cabane
272 Pages | Portfolio | March 26, 2013
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What if charisma could be taught?
For the first time, science and technology have taken charisma apart, figured it out and turned it into an applied science: In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers could raise or lower people’s level of charisma as if they were turning a dial.
What you’ll find here is practical magic: unique knowledge, drawn from a variety of sciences, revealing what charisma really is and how it works. You’ll get both the insights and the techniques you need to apply this knowledge. The world will become your lab, and every person you meet, a chance to experiment.
The Charisma Myth is a mix of fun stories, sound science, and practical tools. Cabane takes a hard scientific approach to a heretofore mystical topic, covering what charisma actually is, how it is learned, what its side effects are, and how to handle them. Read More
Related: “Why are you so Quiet?”
THE CONFIDENCE GAP
by Dr. Russ Harris
240 Pages | Trumpeter | September 13, 2011
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Too many of us miss out on opportunities in life because we lack self-confidence. Whether it’s public speaking, taking on a leadership role, or asking someone for a date, there are situations in which we just don’t feel equipped to handle the challenges we face.
Russ Harris offers a surprising solution to low self-confidence, shyness, and insecurity: rather than trying to “get over” our fears, he says, the secret is to form a new and wiser relationship with them. Paradoxically, it’s only when we stop struggling against our fearfulness that we begin to find lasting freedom from it.
Drawing on the techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a cutting-edge form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, The Confidence Gap explains how to:
HOW TO CHANGE MINDS
by Rob Jolles
216 Pages | Berrett-Koehler Publishers | June 4, 2013
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Persuade, Don’t Push!Surely you know plenty of people who need to make a change, but despite your most well-intentioned efforts, they resist because people fundamentally fear change. As a salesman, father, friend, and consultant, Rob Jolles knows this scenario all too well. Drawing on his highly successful sales background and decades of research, he lays out a simple, repeatable, predictable, and ethical process that will enable you to lead others to discover for themselves what and why they need to change. Whether you hope to make a sale or improve a relationship, Jolles’s wise advice—illustrated through a bevy of sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always illuminating stories—will help you ensure that changing someone’s mind is never an act of coercion but rather one of caring and compassion. Read More
Related: Short Non-Fiction Books
TEXT DON’T CALL: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life
by INFJoe
144 Pages | TarcherPerigee | August 15, 2017
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An illustrated guide to the challenges and pleasures of the introverted life
Introversion is “in.” But there are still many misconceptions about introverts in the world. They’re shy. Anti-social. They don’t want to have close relationships. They’re all cat people. They don’t like big parties (okay, that last one might be true).
INFJoe, the cartoon persona of artist and introvert Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, is here to set the record straight. Filled with charming comic book style illustrations, this book provides invaluable insights into the introverted life with plenty of humor and wit. Full of moments that will make introverts say, “That’s so me!” as well as helpful tips on surviving at parties and in the workplace, Text, Don’t Call is the perfect gift for your quiet friends, or the extroverted ones who could use some help to better understand the introverts in their lives. Read More
TEN % HAPPIER
by Dan Harris
256 Pages | Dey Street Book | December 30, 2014
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Nightline anchor Dan Harris embarks on an unexpected, hilarious, and deeply skeptical odyssey through the strange worlds of spirituality and self-help, and discovers a way to get happier that is truly achievable.
After having a nationally televised panic attack, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. A lifelong nonbeliever, he found himself on a bizarre adventure involving a disgraced pastor, a mysterious self-help guru, and a gaggle of brain scientists. Eventually, Harris realized that the source of his problems was the very thing he always thought was his greatest asset: the incessant, insatiable voice in his head, which had propelled him through the ranks of a hypercompetitive business, but had also led him to make the profoundly stupid decisions that provoked his on-air freak-out.
Finally, Harris stumbled upon an effective way to rein in that voice, something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation, a tool that research suggests can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain. 10% Happier takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives. Read More
TELL ME MORE
by Kelly Corrigan
525 Pages | Scholastic Press | January 30, 2007
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It’s a crazy idea: trying to name the phrases that make love and connection possible. But that’s just what Kelly Corrigan has set out to do here. In her New York Times bestselling memoirs, Corrigan distilled our core relationships to their essences, showcasing a warm, easy storytelling style. Now, in Tell Me More, she’s back with a deeply personal, unfailingly honest, and often hilarious examination of the essential phrases that turn the wheel of life.
In “I Don’t Know,” Corrigan wrestles to make peace with uncertainty, whether it’s over invitations that never came or a friend’s agonizing infertility. In “No,” she admires her mother’s ability to set boundaries and her liberating willingness to be unpopular. In “Tell Me More,” a facialist named Tish teaches her something important about listening. And in “I Was Wrong,” she comes clean about her disastrous role in a family fight—and explains why saying sorry may not be enough. With refreshing candor, a deep well of empathy, and her signature desire to understand “the thing behind the thing,” Corrigan swings between meditations on life with a preoccupied husband and two mercurial teenage daughters to profound observations on love and loss.
With the streetwise, ever-relatable voice that defines Corrigan’s work, Tell Me More is a moving and meaningful take on the power of the right words at the right moment to change everything. Read More
THE SECRET LIFE OF INTROVERTS
by John Grannemanbr>
320 Pages | Skyhorse | August 1, 2007
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An introvert guide and manifesto for all the quiet ones—and the people who love them.
Is there a hidden part of you that no one else sees? Do you have a vivid inner world of thoughts and emotions that your peers and loved ones can’t seem to access? Have you ever been told you’re too “quiet,” “shy,” “boring,” or “awkward”? Are your habits and comfort zones questioned by a society that doesn’t seem to get the real you? If so, you might be an introvert.
On behalf of those who have long been misunderstood, rejected, or ignored, fellow introvert Jenn Granneman writes a compassionate vindication—exploring, discovering, and celebrating the secret inner world of introverts that, only until recently, has begun to peek out and emerge into the larger social narrative. Drawing from scientific research, in-depth interviews with experts and other introverts, and her personal story, Granneman reveals the clockwork behind the introvert’s mind—and why so many people get it wrong initially. Read More
INTROVERT DOODLES
by Maureen ‘Marzi’ Wilson
176 Pages | Adams Media | December 2, 2016
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Whoever said there’s strength in numbers lied.
Meet Marzi. She’s an introvert who often finds herself in awkward situations. Marzi used to feel strange about her introverted tendencies. Not anymore! Now she knows that there are tons of introverts out there just like her–introverts who enjoy peace and quiet, need time alone to recharge their battery, and who prefer staying in with their pet and a good book to awkward social interactions.
Just like Marzi, these introverts can often be found in libraries, at home watching Netflix, brainstorming excuses to miss your next party, or doodling cute cartoons. Being an introvert in an extrovert world isn’t always easy, but it certainly is an adventure. In Introvert Doodles, follow Marzi through all of her most uncomfortable, charming, honest, and hilarious moments that everyone–introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between–can relate to. Read More
QUIET INFLUENCE
by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler
192 Pages | Berrett-Koehler Publishers | April 15, 2013
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Introverts may feel powerless in a world where extroverts seem to rule, but there’s more than one way to have some sway. Jennifer Kahnweiler proves introverts can be highly effective influencers when, instead of trying to act like extroverts, they use their natural strengths to make a difference. Kahnweiler identifies six unique strengths of introverts and includes a Quiet Influence Quotient (QIQ) quiz to measure how well you’re using these six strengths now. Then, through questions, tools, exercises, and powerful real-world examples, you will increase your mastery of these strengths. Read More
15 Comments
tcleland88
I think I’d really like Text, Don’t Call–it’s so me. There are very few people that I actually like to talk to on the phone.
Love, Sawyer
Of all the books on the list, that ones probably my favorite. It’s a surprisingly good coffee table book, so many people can relate and everyone wants to take a peek inside.
Serena Millet
I am very introverted and never thought to look up books for introverts. This is a great list. I’m going to check some of these out!
Sawyer
You should! I found Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking really beneficial.
simplyshannonagins
Loooove the first rule of introvert book club. Also always looking for new reads and I’ve never heard of any of these! So excited to check some of them out!
Pra.kriti (@pracreation)
I’m an introvert and would love to read one of them for sure.
Treasures in Christ
Love it…Text Don’t Call, I can relate
Karla Strand
What a great list! I’ve only read Quiet but really liked it. I have dealt with explaining my introversion to people for my entire life. I am an outgoing introvert so I like to talk and can handle being in the spotlight. BUT I need lots of alone time to regroup and am super-protective of my time and the things I say yes to. People just don’t get it! I will definitely be checking out the rest of the books on your list!
maddy
I can so relate to this – ‘Please don’t answer the phone when I call. I just want to leave a message’. I am not a complete introvert. I live in a foreign country. I realize that I am a complete introvert with my colleagues (I am the foreigner :D) and with my friends, with whom I share the same mother tongue, I am partly introvert – meaning that I need some alone time.
I would like to read Quiet, The charisma myth and How to change minds. Look interesting.
Arya D. @Arya's Fangirl Lexicon
I love this list! I’ve read Quiet and it was amazing and honestly I felt like it “changed” me or at least appreciate my personality. I’m really excited to check out the other books in your list!
bookwormscornerblogspotgmailcom
This is a good list. Nicely compiled!
Megan @ Ginger Mom
I have wanted to read Text, Don’t Call since I heard of it! Another great list 🙂 As an introvert, I definitely need to check some of these out.
Empress DJ
I love this post and wants them all!
Eline @Lovely Audiobooks
I have to check out INFJoe right now!!
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