I ended up buying a hard copy of this book. I really enjoyed it! The things the author forced herself to try and get out of her comfort zone made me squirm. But the results of her experiment were so interesting. I felt inspired to try some new things too.

Listened to the audiobook of this from my library and it was awesome! I was worried that it would come off as introversion being an innately negative thing. After all, nobody is asking an extrovert to stay home and shut up for a year and then write about it, right? But it was totally lovely and funny and endearing. Especially hearing the author read it herself.

That being said, I would never in a million years agree to this challenge. It's like every nightmare i've ever had. Except the hosting a dinner party bit, I quite like hosting...but only for my nearest and dearest.

Sorry! I downloaded this book but then had exams and didn't have time to read and review this book...

This book reads like a memoir. A full year of an introvert doing extrovert stuff. A full frigging year! Why? because she also had that burning question “What if I was an extrovert?“. Alright, here comes the advisory note: If you tend to get emotionally disturbed when reading a book that hits home, remember that she will be telling, in detail, her experiences doing things like improv in front of a crowd. Can you handle reading about that? Then you are good to go.

This book is full of humor and humanity. I could relate to her and feel her worries. I cheered for her in every step of the journey and got butterflies in my stomach when she dared to try things I think of as embarrassing.

The best part, is that through her journey, I realized how extroverts get shy and nervous too, that we can all boost our confidence and people skills. That it will be a struggle, but we can do all those fun things despite our irrational fears. But most of all, that it’s always worth going out of our comfort zone for a moment, than regretting not doing so for the rest of our lives.

I would definitely recommend it to introverts out there asking the same question to themselves: What if I was an extrovert?. With a mix of humor and self-help worthy material, this is a great gift for yourself or your dear introvert.

As an introvert myself, I was interested with the book description. The author was brave to try those things that an introvert wouldn't normally do. The book tells of her adventures of stepping out of her comfort zone, exploring an unfamiliar world to see what its like to be an extrovert.. A good and fun read, and the thoughts of an introvert are so relatable.

Help! My copy cut off at page 37 and I don’t know what to do! It literally cut off mid sentence ahhh. I was loving this book more than ever. I want to keep reading and don’t know how! I wish I picked up the ARC earlier so that it had not expired off of Netgalley. Despite only making it to page 37, as a therapist, I’ve already recommended it to many clients. I need more.

I always considered myself an introvert. Guess I'm not. I can talk to anyone, anywhere, everywhere. I never realized how hard it is for people to find friends. I thought just talk! I liked how the author tried different things and sought out help. I never knew you could look for friends online. Interesting and eye opening.

Extremely humorous! I am an introvert and it was totally relatable, down to every single thing. Def going to buy the hard copy.

If the title of this book provokes a reaction then follow your gut and read it.

For all the introverts out there who think it's just them, or who wonder what the appeal is of a rowdy party, or who just want to give after work drinks a swerve and go home and read a book this is the book for you. Presumably after you have ducked the drinks.

Funny and interesting. Recommended. #SorryImLateIdidntWantToCome #NetGalley

I thought I'd really relate to this book but it just didn't hit the spot for me. I didn't seem to relate to Jess's interactions and I think that we are just do dissimilar. However, Jess reminded me of my friend and I did buy the book for her as a gift. So although I didn't love it, I do think some people will!

I enjoyed this book about the author's journey to step out of her comfort zone as an introvert in order to make friends. I relate to a lot of what she was saying, but then she kind of lost me when she went from being a traditional homebody to performing on stage... multiple times. I don't get that! She pushed herself, but I'm not sure how relatable it would be for other introverts who aren't writing a book about being more extroverted. Hosting a dinner party seems like a good, relatable step, but preforming stand-up isn't something I would ever imagine doing in order to become more extroverted! I realize this wasn't a manual on how to go from introvert to extrovert in so many steps, but I also feel like her experience of being an introvert who has been separated from all of her close friends who then goes on a journey to find a new group of her people could have been looked at in a way that all of us could more closely relate to. Aside from moments of my asking "why is she doing this to herself?!" it was a fun read and there were multiple laugh out loud moments that kept me reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Pan's first epistolary book "Graduates in Wonderland" that she co-wrote with Rachel Kapelke-Dale and "Sorry I'm Late..." is just as funny and wonderful to read. It's more than just a memoir but also a guidebook for shy introverts to gain confidence through experiences and ease the loneliness we all have at different points in our lives. She inserts research and advice from well-known sources. It was very interesting to see her voluntarily put herself in one uncomfortable situation after another. I saw myself in Jessica back in my late-twenties. I also pushed myself into uncomfortable situations (just not as extreme as Jessica's) and faked confidence until I actually felt it. That confidence it still with me today. It feels good to not be intimidated. Jessica also points out how our circle of friends dwindles over time due to varying circumstances. Making new friends is hard but now I know a surefire way to find them again. Ask the "deep questions." It's worth reading at any age.

This book was hilarious I completely relate to this. I love being on my own and not talking to people. I had a few spewing water from my mouth my poor husband was in front of me I don’t think he was happy with that.

Like many, Jessica Pan is a self-professed introvert. She would rather stay home in her comfort cocoon than be around people, going to parties, or being the center of attention. Sorry, I’m Late I Didn’t Want to Come is the story of Jessica and the year she pledged to break out of her shell and take life by the horns. I must admit the older I get; the more introverted I’m becoming. Gone are the days when I would get up and sing karaoke for hours on end, or go to random get together to meet new people and try new things. I applaud Jessica for acknowledging the problem (even though an introvert doesn’t think their behavior is a problem) and deciding she was going to do something about it.
This book reminded me a lot of Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes (that’s an excellent book to check out). Both ladies we brave enough to only to change their ways albeit only temporarily, but they wrote about it for others to see. That takes guts. I appreciated this book, and I feel as though it helped me feel as if I’m not the only one that struggles with their feelings. I will use this book for reference in the future when I have a “moment.”

Thank you Netgalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is about an introvert doing her best to be outgoing for a year. The author was funny and very relatable. I have recommended it to several people already.

I finally decided to read this book and honestly enjoyed it a lot. It was the kind of book that I could 100% wholeheartedly relate to. It was like having a chat with a friend and having them actually understand how I was feeling. While it wasn't perfect, and it did take me a while to get through, I did enjoy it and I'm happy that a book like this is finally out there in the world.

I felt really uncomfortable with the things she was forcing herself to do and don't think I would ever be able to do things like that but it makes you think of what you can do if you push yourself.

I've also never heard of the term 'shintrovert' but I quite like it.

Overall, this was quite an enjoyable read.

I was unable to read the ARC from NetGalley because of the format but I got a copy from my local library.

Yay for libraries!

Jessica Pan is an introvert. And lonely in a new country with her husband. She is looking for new friends.

So, what does she do?

Something that makes all introverts (including myself) shudder with fear, horror and revulsion.

She puts herself out there in the world to be SOCIAL.

THE HORROR!

Ms. Pan's summary of her escapades that include improv comedy, talking to strangers and taking an unplanned weekend trip (to name a few) is scary, vomit inducing, hilarious, relatable and awe inspiring.

She says everything I think and know about myself as an introvert.

Like her, I've been trying to do more 'social' activities this year, getting out of my comfort zone and its not easy. No way. Just writing this out makes me sick to my stomach.

But as Ms. Pan discovered and documented, after you've completed the nausea inducing task, you feel better. Happier. Proud. I love that feeling. I just wish every task that required socializing didn't make me feel like I was being chased by Jason Voorhees at summer camp.

This is a great book and it has given me some ideas on what steps I should take in meeting new people and developing social and charisma skills.

Except improv comedy. That will never be my jam.

This was a hilarious and somewhat relate able book about how being an introvert can affect everyday life in different ways than those who are extroverted.

What a funny read! This is a hilarious memoir. Seriously funny! I could relate so much! I so enjoyed reading about the situations that she found herself in!

This is the most difficult book I have ever tried to rate. The first half of the book had me in fits of laughter, mostly because I, like the author am an introvert. It’s not uncommon for me to laugh whilst reading. The beginning of the book had me on cloud nine. Unfortunately, by about 45% I started to lose interest. I couldn’t even finish the book which was such a let down after such a positive start. There was a comment in the book where I felt the author alluded to Australian Universities not being of a very high standard compared to the rest of the world. Perhaps Pan did not mean it in this way but it definitely contributed to putting me offside.
3 stars for the superb beginning