In case you’re wondering, I don’t receive any compensation for book reviews.  It’s about sharing my love of books with the world and, let’s be honest, to justify buying more books.  I encourage you to check out the following book from your library or purchase from a local book store.  

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As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), I love getting lost in an amazing book.  Also, from time to time, I will dip my toe into the world of graphic novels, much like the book I’m reviewing today.

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story describes a woman’s coming-of-age experience as she navigates school and falling in love.  She overcomes social pressures, an overwhelming workplace and learns to embrace her introverted nature in all of its (quiet) glory.

I devoured this book.  As soon as it arrived in the mail, I started reading it in my car.  I rushed home and curled up on my bed with my kitten, Juniper (well, she purred a healthy distance from me, she’s not so much of a cuddler these days) and read it from start to finish in less than an hour.

Reading this book is like waking up to a clear sky on the weekend.  It’s the feeling of a comfy, oversized sweater.  It’s the shared glance with a stranger in a book store when they grab a book you love.

At the end of the book, I felt like this:

Simply put, it’s a delightful speck of literature that introverts, INFJs, and HSPs alike will enjoy, absorb, and carry with them.

For those of you who have ever been in a close relationship (romantic or platonic) with an extrovert, you’ll also enjoy the fact the main character’s partner is an extrovert.  I resonated with other aspects of the story – the character’s dread of group projects, bringing books to overwhelming family gatherings, the torture of open office floor plans and a secret joy of rainy days.

The illustrations are serene and rich.  They convey complex ideas and feelings with simple designs.  The black and white illustrations appealed to my HSP nature; I embraced the subtleties in every shade of black, charcoal, cream, and grey.

There are many pages I want to show someone and righteously exclaim “See! I’m not that weird! There are even books about us!”

My critique of this book? Two things:

1) No cats! Or any kind of furry companion. (But, seriously, what introvert doesn’t have a cat?)

2) No representation of BIPOC people or queer folx.  I would love to see a book like this with some better representation.

But, perhaps that’s the book I need to write?  The story about a queer INFJ/HSP woman and her love of black tea, quiet mornings and her life with her fur children?

I like the sound of this.

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Seeking a therapist who will help you embrace and celebrate your introverted and sensitive nature?  Learn more about me here.  

Arianna Smith, MA, LPC, EMDR

arianna@quietmooncounseling.com

720-772-7413