Member Reviews
This was...cute? I guess. As someone who has almost crippling anxiety, I'm unsure how much work this really was, or how the efforts worked out. It seems like she found out some interesting things about herself and it was a neat experiment. It seemed to follow a similar vein of Shonda Rhimes Year of Yes but, not for minorities if that makes sense!
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come- Otherwise known as what I think EVERY TIME I go to a social event. Jessica Pan is a witty "shintrovert" (shy introvert), that I could relate to in more ways than one. I struggled to start reading this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I was intrigued by her decision to quit her job after receiving the award for staying late at work (having no social life), and pretty much hooked after that. The way she described her depression and caving in upon herself in such an honest way made me realize that I may be in the same situation as her. As she repeatedly states, meeting friends after age 30 is ridiculously hard. I, myself, have tried the friend-dating scene and failed miserably at my attempts to make a connection. I laughed and cringed while reading this book. Many of the situations she (willingly!) put herself in were one of my worst nightmares, and many times I was relieved that it was her in the story and not me (sorry, Mrs. Pan)!
Although I read this book mostly for the humor, I'm pleasantly surprised to admit that I may actually have learned something from the book as well. (Why isn't charisma and small talk a subject taught in school?!)
For introverts looking for a good read, with a few chuckles, cringes, and even some ah-ha moments dropped in, I highly recommend Jessica Pan's book.
P.S. I just forgot, does England have a Queen and if so, what's her name?
This was a very relatable and humorous book about an introverted woman who, feeling lonely in a new country without a friend group, decided to attempt to be an extrovert for one year. In this time, she spoke to stranger, traveled alone, went to conferences, parties, and get-togethers, tried improv and comedy, and played hostess. In short, everything every introvert dreads. To her surprise, she found that she made friends and had some fun. That is not to say there weren't some bad moments as well, or that she would choose to live that way full-time for the rest of her life, but she found that sometimes forcing oneself to be extroverted had benefits. I enjoyed her story and her triumphs, though, in classic introvert fashion, I think I'll stick to just reading about most of them myself.
Laughing and trying to understand the pain associated with neurosis, is a twist for this book reader. Seeing the author expand her world is crafty creatively and kept my attention. Some of the "perilous" social situations carried a common ring even for me, not an introvert. Interesting read. loved the unique design in her life of "danger'
Very intriguing and somewhat relatable topic. I was cracking up at some points and scratching my head at others...mostly wondering how the pendulum could swing so much for a true introvert. Regardless, this was a fun, worthwhile read for anyone on the “I” spectrum. The human brain is so trainable—apparently even with personality traits, to a degree. Thanks to the author and publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am an introvert, through and through, so this book sounded fascinating to me! I know my strengths and my weaknesses, and let me tell you, much of the things she forced herself to do gave me anxiety! Huge props to her! This book was witty and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Being an introvert, this book was completely relatable. I'm sure there are some people that don't see the big deal in walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation with them, but I am not one of those. Reading about Jessica taking a year to try and be an extrovert made me wonder what it would be like if I were to do the same. Honestly, I think I'm good in my little introvert shell, but I enjoyed reading about her adventures. I do however want to go to England now and ask people who the queen is, because it seems some people like to mess with tourists.
It was interesting to see how her life evolved as she went through the year. It was like she changed but remained the same at the same time, if that makes any sense at all. We all put ourselves in little boxes, but this book shows that sometimes it's okay to leave them for a minute and see what else is out there. The box will still be there when we get back.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Jessica Pan
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 28 May 2019
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
A young woman, self-described introvert (or even "shintrovert" - shy introvert), decides to take time to try and overcome her introverted nature - because she realizes she is very lonely and has no idea how to make new friends. To that end, she attends meetings with "charisma couches", improv classes, and performs onstage. All described in a light, witty voice.
Overall, it was a joy to read, prompting many laugh-out-loud and read-out-loud moments. Still, as a fellow introvert, I have to say that doing improv and performing comedy standup sound like absolute nightmare. I mean, I guess I can see the point of the former - making friends in the improv class - but the latter? Shudder. Nope.
To each their own, though, and even if I don't agree (spiritually ;)) with all the choices Jessica Pan has made on the journey described in this book, I still think that it is a book very much worth reading. Not necessarily as a guide, mind you - as a very fun effort.
Hmmmm.... So here's the thing about this book for me. Is Pan for real? Or is she faking it to make it. Could a real introvert actually do ANY of the things she does in this book? When I read her account of an introverts year of living dangerously and really putting herself out there, part of me just felt, you're not an introvert, you're just a normal human being who when push comes to shove prefers staying indoors and hates public speaking!
Why did I feel she was inauthentic? Probably due to some weird fake humility throughout - maybe that's a culture clash for me - she's American, I'm British and come pre-programmed to be introverted and unable to brag about anything I do! It also felt inauthentic as it felt she was afforded opportunities through her connections that were not attainable from the deep cave of your true introvert - I mean, getting to speak at The Moth? Your average dry-mouth, sweaty-palmed, panic-muted introvert would struggle to sit in the audience in case they got asked for an opinion, let alone bathe in the spotlight to tell their story....
So yeah, I found it inauthentic and fake. It was still really entertaining, but something about it just didn't ring true for me.
I liked this book! The author was honest about her shyness and fear of social settings. Though I can't quite relate, but honestly I have no idea if I am more of an introvert or an extrovert (depends on my mood), I admire the courage it took to overcome her fear. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert, but if it is hindering you from meeting new people and experiencing things, time to read this book!
Love Nick's quote: "Nobody waves, but everyone waves back."
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come was a well-written and thoughtful read. Through Jessica Pan's book, all the self-declared introverts who have ever wondered what it would be like to do "extroverted" things like tell a story on-stage or make friends with strangers can live vicariously. Pan's reflections on the ways in which she socially challenged herself, combined with the advice she obtained from field experts, demonstrate that maybe there can be a comfortable middle-ground between introversion and extroversion after all.
I would like to thank the publisher for giving me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read and I really enjoyed it!!
Well, this book made me a bit anxious reading it.
As an introvert myself I really can't imagine myself for a year acting the way this woman did. Being social at parties,being involved in plays,public speaking etc. It makes me cringe to even imagine such a thing.
Now there were admittedly some funny scenes with the repercussions of her actions as I shook my head saying, not me. No way could I do this!
Pub Date 28 May 2019
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I could not stop nodding my head in agreement while I was reading this book! If you're an introvert, you'll feel the same way. I loved all her personal challenges and felt inspired to try a few of my own! The book is well-written and feels like you're talking with a friend.
A lot of the stuff she forced herself to try was waaaaaay out of my comfort zone.
Mad props to her for giving it a go and I was happy to live vicariously through her.
The author is funny and has a way of making you feel a part of the story.
I'm not sure if that's because I related so much to her story or if she is just that awesome.
One will never know.
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for my DRC.
Cancelled plans? Yes, please. A quiet night with just a book and my favorite blanket to cuddle up with while the hours whittle away? You better believe it.
This book was cute and witty while still delivering the point of “Yes! You can and should put yourself out there...because life is best lived when it’s actually lived.”
I look forward to reading more by Jessica Pan, her originality and humor make uncomfortable comfortable when it comes to stepping outside the box...
**4 Stepping Out, Stars**
This book is about how the life of an introvert changed by forcing herself to do extrovert things.
As an extrovert some parts seem kind of weird an not relatable, but it did help me to watch different situations in other personality point of view. It was interesting to read how the life of an introvert is and how they manage certain situations that for me are totally normal. Even when I couldn't relate to certain parts I did enjoy the humor within the story.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity of reading this book.
I really enjoyed this book by Jessica Pan. I did a similar experiment a few years ago which I called the "Year of Yes" where I forced myself to say "yes" to anything someone invited me to in an effort to make more friends and strengthen my current relationships. Jessica's stories rang so true and are fun and. engaging to read through. Her humor also is enjoyable and this book reads like chatting with a good friend and laughing about how awkward meeting new people is (because, well... it is).
This book started off interesting and relatable and just started dragging on. The author is on a journey of interacting more with people. She learns to have deeper conversations with strangers, and to not have so much anxiety. It’s a narrative on her process to becoming more sociable and having more friends.
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: An Introvert's Year of Living Dangerously was a sweet natured read. Being an introvert myself I was immediately attracted to this book (like all other introverts I think) because I eagerly wanted see how an introvert would go living as an extrovert. It thus wasn't completely what I had expected. There were no gloriously huge mishaps or dramatic sequences (as I had hoped), but rather calculated experiences in how to put one's self out there. While this was essentially what I started the book for, I found Jessica Pan's comedic approach towards every event slightly overbearing. With everything constantly exaggerated, the truly funny moments were lost to me in the chatter of trying to bring every experience up to the same level. I'm not sure if this was to compensate for the lack of 'drama' throughout the book, but I do feel a more serious tone would have been welcome. The truly comedic moments would have been able to shine and the inclusion of real life statistics and conversations with experts (which I found really interesting), would not have been as jarring and disruptive to the flow of the text. I actually would have loved more real world information and numbers on loneliness and today's expected societal standards.
I don't know why Marley and Me comes to mind as an example when I think of the tone I wish this book had... possibly because the balance between comedy and just telling the story was so perfect. The comedic moments just arrived by a matter of fact rather than being forced into existence through exaggerated descriptions.
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come overall is a really interesting read. It was insightful and informative, and I would recommend it to any introvert and even extrovert who wants to gain insight into our little brains. Regardless of my preferences for a more serious tone, the light-hearted nature of the book made the information presented enjoyable and easy to read. A very informative and fun book.