Living Introverted: Learning To Embrace The Quiet Life Without Guilt [Paperback]

Lee Ann Lambert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2009

Exploring the world of the introvert, Living Introverted: Learning to Embrace the Quiet Life Without Guilt brings together all the elements of introversion and all the reasons and ways to honor one's introverted personality. This exceptionally helpful book is also handy for extroverted friends, co-workers, partners and parents in giving an excellent overview of what it means to be an introvert and how to successfully understand the introverts of the world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Formerly a freelance writer, Lee Ann Lambert lives in Michigan with her husband and is currently pursuing her degree in psychology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (March 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1441464050
• ISBN-13: 978-1441464057
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Being introverted hasn't been the easiest or most fun aspect of my life. There have been days when I've sort of hated it, to be honest, especially before I knew what was different about me. Having figured it out, I'm much more at ease with myself.

In case you're wondering, I'm not shy (at all), I'm actually quite assertive. And when in the mood and conditions are right, I can be pretty talkative and fun to be around. However, people seem to find me aloof and cold at times. That's my introversion shining through, and it's not aloofness (is that even a word?) or coldness. It's me being overstimulated by everyone talking at once, or me being wrapped up in something interesting that's going on in my head, or me needing some quiet alone time. Introverts can identify with what I've just written. Others might not.

I wrote Living Introverted: Learning to Embrace the Quiet Life Without Guilt for myself at first. It was a way to record what I've learned about myself. Then it became its own thing--it had a life of its own. When I look at the book now, I realize that it's a great introduction to the world of introversion, with some excellent tips for both introverts and extroverts. Its a primer, and a quick read that will help acquaint anyone with the wide open world of being introverted.

Maybe someday there will be a follow-up.

Meanwhile, I am the creator of a blog, which is aptly named Living Introverted. I'm also picking away at a degree in psychology (go figure).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 22, 2009

By 

Cathy Mason (Preston, ID) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Introverted: Learning To Embrace The Quiet Life Without Guilt (Paperback)

I am one of those older people who never knew, and was never told, about introversion - my life has been confusing sometimes because I saw myself as an extrovert, but acted differently much of the time. I started reading about introversion in books such as this and finally saw puzzle pieces fitting into place.

When I discovered this book I was in the beginning stages of my journey of self-discovery. As I read I was shocked to see myself in every page. I couldn't believe what I was learning, but everything started to make sense very quickly. Ms. Lambert does an excellent job of fleshing out what an introvert is (and is not), how we function in and view the world, and how to treat us if you aren't one yourself. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on introverted children - I wish that knowledge had been available when I was young, and I hope that other parents read that and become more informed about what might be going on with their own child that they're not fully understanding.

One of the major things this book does is validate who we are and that we are perfectly o.k. Society generally does not value introverts, but we have an enormous amount to offer, especially if people allow us to be who we are and do things on our own terms. The information on parties and holidays was particularly enjoyable to read because it helped me give myself permission, as it were, to continue to be who I am and not beat myself up for swimming against the tide of societal expectations. What a relief! As well, introverts often have many extroverted friends who ask much of them, or who simply assume that everyone is like them, but when we use our homes as retreats and sanctuaries and do not emerge from them unless we have to, this can look bad to others and damage our self-esteem. Ms. Lambert points out how we can manage these situations, and also how to maintain energy levels and some peace of mind. The information on how introverts are viewed is also valuable - we are sometimes considered rude, aloof, or cold, and she discusses why this is, how to handle that, and why we don't need to feed into other peoples' assumptions or demands.

Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for those who know they are introverted, those who are wondering if they are, and those who know someone who is introverted and is unsure how to maintain a friendship or working relationship. In searching for books on introversion I was surprised at how few there really were, but with a book like this you won't need much else in order to understand yourself or anyone else. It is well written and easy to read. I highly recommend it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living Introverted: an Owner's Manual, June 11, 2009

By 

Olorin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Introverted: Learning To Embrace The Quiet Life Without Guilt (Paperback)

LeeAnn Lambert's "Living Introverted" serves as an owner's manual for the estimated 25% of the population who prefer the quiet life. LeeAnn guides the reader through what is and isn't introversion while providing ample tips and tricks to getting the most out of your personality and your life, guilt-free of course.

Not an introvert? No problem. The crisp and concise chapters will help you learn more about that quiet friend, a spouse who doesn't care for parties or the coworker who never talks at meetings. You won't be bombarded with psychobabble, although the book cites the psychological basis for introversion and you won't forced to wade through piles of research, although you will find the book well-researched. Instead, personal stories and anecdotes abound from introverts of all ages and all walks of life. "Living Introverted" is a thoughtful and compelling read for anyone curious about the quiet life.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too many generalizations, too many bullets, September 19, 2009

By 

Red Riding Hood (Springfield) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Living Introverted: Learning To Embrace The Quiet Life Without Guilt (Paperback)

The book is not what I expected. It seems like the title doesn't reflect the content. A more appropriate title might be, 'bulleted lists of observations about how introverts cope in extrovert situations.'

Overall, "Living Introverted" reads like a college thesis assignment. Review the literature, put in some discussion with footnotes, and try to add something original, but the original material is limited to generalizations. For example, Lambert says, "introverts are masters of subtle humor," but doesn't explain the basis for this or give any examples.

Or, "many people look to introverts as stabilizers." These statements just seem to pop up out of the blue without solid connections to the surrounding text.

Repetitive: It seems like I read three times, in the first 15 minutes, the same reference to a 1999 study about differences in introvert/extrovert brain scans.

I guess I expected more of a positive take on introversion. For example, Tiger Woods is listed as an example of an introvert, but there is no explanation of this. I would like to read an interview with Tiger or any successful introvert, with some questions about personality.

If it matters, the printing is not professional--It looks like the default Microsoft Word formatting. The pages have tons of white space, the indents are huge, there are no em dashes, etc.