Member Reviews
It is so cute. I loved the illustration style. And it was a reflection of myself in so many ways. The habits and all.
Truly adorable.
this book says exactly what ever introvert is thinking with lovely illustrations.
this tells how you want to hang out.. but you actually don't
this talks about how you really want to be left alone.. and being alone isn't lonely at all!!!
and it talks about how you get "people" and being with that person or people is plenty and you have no desire for more.
I am one of those weird extroverts who is an introvert in my spare time which means at work I'm a social butterfly but once closing time happens i just want to be with my 2 people and my dog in silence and relaxation.
received from net galley for an honest review.
This is the book I wish existed 20 years ago as I began to navigate the beginnings of adult life!
I related very strongly to introverted life of a young adult that Debbie portrays. Her drawings capture the mood and the dialog is perfect. She also captures the arc of college, to young adult navigating the extroverted (and open business plan) office world, to self employment contentment very well. I think with a few minor changes, it's as if she drew 15 years of my life.
Tea really does make everything better!
As an introvert, there was so much in this little graphic novel that I could relate to. There were so many pages, where I was just like yes, exactly!
I feel like other introverts will probably feel the same way. Debbie Tung does such a fantastic job of getting down the introvert experience.
The art was also pretty adorable, and totally fitting for this little graphic memoir. Perhaps the only issue I had with the book was that it was often non-linear and didn't really have much of a 'story' per se for much of it. There were little strips where we learn about Tung feeling uncomfortable with socialising, how she has to recharge after a party, etc., which were great but didn't fit into a larger arc. I think if the book was a little more structured, I would have felt more invested in it. Despite that, I did greatly enjoy it and would recommend it giving it a read!
This book got me nodding like if I was listening to my favorite song. It is so relatable that it is scary! Most of my "weird" traits are nothing but normal characteristics of being an introvert: the most typical is that we need time to recharge after social interactions (messaging counts as well, but not as tolling as face to face interaction...usually). What surprised me was how many of Debbie's everyday actions were similar to mine, it made me laugh and feel connected.
The stories Debbie tells are mostly 1 page long divided in panels and show all kinds of "introvert struggles" she has faced along the years; as a college student, working adult, girlfriend and then wife of an extrovert, plus all the hassles of adulting while trying to fit in the world. Even though each mini story is individual, there is a chronological order and her shift in perspective is noticeable. At first everything feels like a struggle and she pushes herself to fit in and act extroverted while feeling alienated from the world. Then, as she discovers she is an introvert and that there is nothing wrong with her, she starts to accept herself. By the end of the book, it is clear that the struggles will continue, but she no longer tries to be someone she is not and embraces her true introverted self. The illustrations are monochromatic and really cute. I like Debbie's drawing style, it is pleasing to the eye, without too much detail but enough to catch the expressions and the general mood of each story.
I cant recommended this enough for all introverts; you will find yourself in most, if not all, pages of this book. For those with an introvert partner, friend or family member, before gifting this book to your loved one, read it first! and then, let them know you read it, or better yet, read it together. I believe there is no greater gift than knowing that there is someone out there who truly understands and accepts you as you are.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me an eARC in exchange for an fair review.
I can hardly put into words just how much this book touched me but I'll try my best! It's like Ms. Tung read the heart of every introvert and bravely illustrated it in a relatable, sweet, open minded way. It's like belonging to a tribe of like minded people and Debbie Tung is the thread that weaves it all together. If it's ever difficult for an introvert to use their voice then I would point them to this book because it speaks life! There's a gentle, loving quality to the writing and illustrations. They're simple but filled with so much tenderness. I'm not going to lie, there were some comics that made me tear up. But there were more that made me smile and laugh and see the humor in our funny little introvert brains. This is ultimately a love letter to the introvert. It's about loving yourself, embracing your differences, and finding freedom when you do. It's also deeply human and capable of making an impact on all people; introverts, extroverts, and any combination in between. Did I mention how brave this work is? It was not only brave to put this into the vast, loud world but it also made me feel brave too. Thank you Debbie Tung.
If someone was to ask me to name 1 book that I relate to the most to, it would be this one.
Quiet Girl I a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story was the story I never knew I needed in my life until now. Honestly, I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can tab the heck out of it and keep it at my bedside. I don't think I've ever connected with a character as much as I connected with Debbie. At some point while I was reading this I completely forgot that the character's name was Debbie as I just kept seeing myself.
For all my introverts out there, this story is for you.
Would I recommend Quiet Girl in a Noisy World? YES!!! Absolutely!! DUH. I strongly feel that this is an absolute must read.
For some reason, the PDG did not download appropriately. It was mostly black pages with some white areas.
To be fair to the author and publisher I am giving this a 5 star review.
This is a treasure of a book for people who are shy and a great opportunity for discussion about shyness/introversion. There's so much insight offered, acceptance, and understanding. Set up in a cartoon style, the illustrations are engaging and beautifully done. It's almost like advice from a friend or a good listening ear from someone who has been there, someone who truly understands introversion.
Thank you to Debbie Tung, the publisher, and Netgalley for the complimentary copy to read and review.
Such an enjoyable and fun read! As an introvert myself I found myself feeling relatable to almost every scenario. I also really liked the art style. :)
When I first saw the cover of Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, I was instantly drawn in. I often feel like a “quiet girl in a noisy world” and the illustration could have easily been of me on any given night after my children are asleep. There's nothing like the peace I feel when I'm cuddled up with my book + tea. And for these reasons alone, I couldn't wait to dig into these pages. I was hoping to find bits of myself sprinkled somewhere in the book. And I wasn't disappointed.
Not only are the illustrations adorable, pairing them with Tung’s honest thoughts made me smile and nod my head in agreement. I found myself mumbling "me, too" many times as I flipped the pages. And while I don't believe I am socially awkward, I do identify as an introvert. I enjoy the company of others (a few at the time) and am often exhausted after a lot of social interaction. I felt those moments when she couldn't wait to get home to her books to my core. And as I continued reading, I found that she put words and illustrations to so many moments I had experienced as well. “Someone gets it,” I thought to myself. It’s safe to say I felt right at home in this graphic novel. I’ve even bookmarked the pages that resonated with me the most to revisit later.
There were two things that really stood out to me in this book. One was the way Tung’s husband was so supportive and understanding. The author illustrates how the support of a loved one can help you cope and deal with “life stuff” in such an endearing way. Another was the growth that took place in Tung’s life after she accepted who she really was, quirks and all. After learning she has an INFJ personality type, she started seeing everything with different eyes. Instead of allowing her introversion to hinder her, she found ways to interact in ways that worked for her. These things were so reassuring to read about in a graphic novel. There are people that will love you and support you as you are. And you don’t have to use your differences as a crutch, you can use them as strengths to allow you to live life on your terms.
I recommend this read to anyone who is an introvert and has a difficult time interacting with others socially. I also recommend this to anyone who loves an introvert, whether it be friends, family, or a significant other. It illustrates the way our minds operate in such a refreshing, yet lighthearted way. I will be obtaining a physical copy for myself (and a few of my friends) soon.
I appreciate you for being so open and honest in your work with us, Debbie Tung.
*Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*
Page after page, all I did was nodding, mmmming and relating to almost all the situations. I've found the art to be simple and highly enjoyable, it was a fun read.
Based on her actual experiences, Debbie Tung's Quiet Girl In A Noisy World was tranquil but entertaining. Accompanied by her adorable illustrations, Tung penned a good book to read for every occasion. It understands the silence that is not only desired by introverts but also by the exhausted wishing to lull the noise around us even just for a moment.
What I enjoyed best in this book was how she and her husband adapted to each other. He was an extrovert but he invariably understood her. He knew when she needed her own time and space and when to get out of a crowd. It’s really nice to see them fit with one another perfectly.
I think this would be best read during a rainy day or when cuddling is needed. I recommend it!
<p>Yay! Another book that conforms to my world view! Introverts of the world unite (albeit, separately, in their own homes, with blankets and mugs of hot chocolate and/or tea)!</p>
<p>Now, I'm back -- with my cup of hot chocolate.</p>
<p>So if you're an introvert, read this quiet graphic novel and nod along knowingly. If you're not an introvert, read it too for insight into why one of your friends seems so antisocial sometimes -- you know the one, that friend at the party who somehow finds a bookshelf and sits there reading a book they've already read before so they don't have to interact any more with people. </p>
<p>Now, <i>shush</i> internet; I need some quiet, alone time to recharge.</p>
<p><A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/20162555/book/145603026">Quiet Girl in a Noisy World</a> by Debby Tung went on sale November 7, 2017.</p>
<p><small>I received a copy free from <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> in exchange for an honest review.</small></p>
Ce livre est tellement doux. Je pense que c'est vraiment ça, le mot qui convient le plus. On nous parle ici de l'introversion et des dérives qu'elle peut entraîner, comme la dépression et l'angoisse. Je connais bien ça puisque je suis moi-même très introvertie, alors j'ai été particulièrement touchée par pas mal de choses que fait Debbie pour tenter de donner le change, mais aussi par ses pensées, que j'ai déjà partagées. Le tout est porté par un dessin à la fois simple et porteur, dont les nuances de gris exacerbent encore les sentiments de Debbie. En bref, un plaisir, que je recommande aux introvertis et aux extravertis !
New people overwhelm her but her current friends and family give her comfort. She would prefer to be alone but she agrees to the plans that others have arranged as she doesn’t want to hurt their feelings by turning them down. She would prefer to have an empty calendar than a full one. As I read through this novel, I found myself agreeing with some of the feelings that she was acknowledging, could it be that I had some traits of an introvert?
As a young child, Debbie was quiet and preferred to be alone so this is not something that has just occurred. Debbie had been struggling with social anxiety for a few years now and she keeps her guard up. As she starts to becomes an adult, she begins to rethink how she handles her social situations.
One of the reasons that I enjoyed this graphic novel was because of the messages it was sending its readers. Debbie liked being by herself and what she was doing was fine but how she felt was causing her conflict. Debbie felt that she needed to conform, to please others but she doesn’t. Debbie needs to only please herself. Debbie also doesn’t need to be upset with herself for not fitting in with other individuals in her life, she needs to do what makes her happy. I liked the way this graphic novel presents this. I also liked the illustrations, I thought these helped fuel the energy towards the messages inside the novel. I think that many readers will be able to relate to Debbie as they read this graphic novel.
This was an arc and I hope that they keep this one page as it made me smile and it is one that I know many people will be able to relate to. This page had two sections, one section was labeled “How Other People Party” and it had individuals dancing with drinks in their hands and they were all laughing and smiling. There were streamers and a banner decorating the room. In the second section of the page, it said, “How I Party” and it had Debbie in her bed with a hot drink on her nightstand. She was sitting up with a book in her hands and she was getting excited as the plot in her book thickened. I loved this.
I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This is going to be one of those reviews where my review is so much shorter than the blurb of the book.
Oh, God! Where do I even start????
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story is a collection of short segments that follow a timeline that begins from being a college student, to falling in love, to getting married, to having a job. I feel like Debbie was able to capture snippets of her life as an introvert, and share it with us through this Graphic Novel.
It was 101% relatable. I was all over the moon when I saw how the character thought and acted similarly to me. Usually, when I say something like ” I need to stay home today to recharge”, people are usually giving me the “WTF are you talking about” look.
Some people gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because there was a thing or 2 that they couldn’t relate with. This sounds a bit ridiculous to me cause not everyone will have exactly the same experience. We, more or less, share a similar experience.
I believe that this book could also be a great portal for extroverts to explore. Through reading this, they can learn a bit more about introverts and understand why we do the things we do.
I really liked the illustrations. They were very simple, and crafted in black, grey, and white. It is the “you get what you see” kind of Graphic Novels, and I highly respect that. I really hate when the art on the cover of the book is something ( usually better) different from the illustrations inside the book.
I really, really, really want to have my own hardcover/ paperback version of this on my shelf, sitting so close and in my reach to grab whenever I need a little boost of self-esteem. That would never happen though because I am INTL reader, ugh.
I received an eARC in exchange with an honest review.
Started reading this on a rainy Saturday night. When I was flipping through the pages, I realised how much I understand and the know the exact feeling of not being sociable. It’s tiring and I always have to rush home to recharge.
Debbie’s illustration takes us through a journey of self-discovery, as she questions who she was and what her life’s purpose was. Her book illustrates our life-long need to identity ourselves so we can feel happier and less constrained by society’s expectations of what we should be and how we should act. In a predominantly extroverted world, it can be daunting and a little intimidating to be the exact opposite of an extrovert – quiet, intense, absorbed, anti-social (and I use the latter term loosely). You feel the need to ask ‘what is wrong with me, and why am I this way’? Well, after some research and getting answers to life-long questions, Debbie finally realizes the truth about her personality type. Her realization leads to self-discovery and acceptance, which eventually leads to self-love.
Needless to say, this graphic book spoke my whole life story. I could relate to so many aspects of Debbie’s life as an introvert, aspects like not knowing who you really are or why you do and feel things a certain way; that feeling of awkwardness when meeting new people, or the overwhelming urge to hide when surrounded by unknown faces. As an extroverted introvert who's highly sensitive to others, I could totally relate to being able to feel exactly what others are feeling and experiencing as they verbalize their feelings to you. I could relate to the desperate need to have a few days to myself to recharge after attending a social event or even a simple hangout with friends. And yes, I could totally relate to looking at your phone with dread whenever it rings! It may all sound weird to some, but it’s completely real and true.
I love the part in the book where Debbie mentions self-love; the moment you begin to understand yourself in a deeper level, is the moment you begin to accept yourself as you are - hence the beginning of the journey towards self-love and utter liberation. I also love the part where she says there is a lot of beauty in quiet strength. I couldn't have worded that any better.
Very enlightening graphic book with beautiful and accurate illustrations – no prose could've adequately described the illustrations as they were presented. Highly recommended to anyone of any personality type. If an introvert, you'll relate and understand a lot more about yourself with this book, and if an extrovert, you'll understand a lot more about introverts. For all introverts out there, don't be apologetic for who you are. Embrace it fully; you're unique just the way you are!
I received a copy of this novel from the Publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I'm an introvert so I could relate to a lot of the situations in this book. There is minimal dialogue but Tung gets the point across clearly. The minimal text actually underlines the introversion of the main character.
The art was awesome. It was simple in that it was black and white, but the facial expressions and shading add a lot of depth to it.
Very charming!