What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she’d normally avoid at all costs? Writer Jessica Pan intends to find out. With the help of various extrovert mentors, Jessica sets up a series of personal challenges (talk to strangers, perform stand-up comedy, host a dinner party, travel alone, make friends on the road, and much, much worse) to explore whether living like an extrovert can teach her lessons that might improve the quality of her life. Chronicling the author’s hilarious and painful year of misadventures, this book explores what happens when one introvert fights her natural tendencies, takes the plunge, and tries (and sometimes fails) to be a little bit braver.

I could relate to this book so much! There were so many times I laughed and said sounds like something I would do. I've always wanted to try and not be introverted, so it was great reading what the author went through. She was funny and honest, I loved it!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #SorryImLateIdidntWantToCome
Pub Date: 28 May 2019

I feel like I somehow wrote this book (or at least the begining) and didn't even realize it. Jessica Pan describes how you can be a "shy introvert" and, oh my god, it describes me 100%. She references the book <i>Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking</i> (which I added to my TBR list), writing that introverts concentrate well, relish solitude, dislike small talk, love one-on-one conversations, and avoid public speaking. On the same note, Pan writes that she as a "very real allergy" to small talk (i.e. discussing jobs, weather, and commutes) and how introverts hate chit chat. Yep....totally me.

Basically, I really enjoyed the premise of this book: an introvert trying to branch out out of her comfort zone and be around people when she'd rather be home curled up on her couch. It made me realize that sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone (even if its scary as hell) and try to meet people because as humans we're meant to be social beings. In a time of social media when we can just hide behind screens all day long, getting some face-to-face interaction with people is still necessary.

However, no matter how desperately this introvert might want to interact with new people and make new friends, you will never catch me doing improv or performing stand up. I'd rather listen to nails on a chalkboard for an hour.

As an introvert- or shintrovert myself I found parts of this book comforting and relatable and other parts absolutely terrifying. I really loved the first half of the book as she wrote about her social experiments and I could relate and actually see myself trying things such as randomly talking to strangers and pushing myself to try new things. But later in the book it started to feel a bit uncomfortable as she pushed harder to do things that caused her a great deal of stress, lack of sleep and anxiety. I didn't know why she wanted to do this to herself! I do agree it's good to push ourselves and get outside of our comfort zones a bit but not to the point of feeling terrible and not being able to sleep. I've spent a lot of my life trying to be more of an "extrovert" and a few years ago finally accepted that I am truly an introvert and honoring that. Of course that is not to say I will not try things within reason. I do love the conversational writing and found myself cracking up often while reading this book (again more so in the first half) and kudos to Jessica for finishing out her year and sharing her story. Thanks to Andrew McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A funny introspective memoir of Pan, a self-described "shintrovert" (shy introvert) who takes a year to live like an extrovert. She challenges the way she uses introversion as a crutch to avoid certain things that made her scared or uncomfortable. She takes improv classes, surprise trips, learns how to make friends.

Pan balances appreciating introversion, but knowing when to embrace extrovert tactics in order to be a bit less lonely. While I am a deep shintrovert, Pan made me think about the ways I, too, use my introversion to avoid doing stuff i just don't want to do and look for ways to challenge myself more. Though I will NEVER take an improv class.

The author is funny and honest, challenging without attacking, always acknowledging that her experience is her own, never trying to NOT be an introvert. A delightful read.

When I was a junior, my high school offered a poetry writing contest.
I entered and didn't tell a soul.
No one knew until it was announced over the loud speaker that I had won first place.
Teachers, friends, classmates, my parents.... were SHOCKED.
The even bigger catch....
I had to read my poem (which also had a visual aspect) in front of the school board, along with all the other winners.

I wanted to throw up. I cried on the drive there. I was so thankful I included my visual aspect (I wrote my poem in the shape of a question mark and only included questions in the poem). Which they displayed on the big screen at the front of the room. I thought, "Good, people will be looking at that and not me."

I got up there, I read my poem, got off stage and asked my mom how I did and if you could tell my face was covered in bright red fire up there.... and her response?
"I didn't look at you because I thought it'd make you more nervous."
LOL THANKS MOM.

But honestly, I'm glad I did it. I've given countless presentations since then and I think that was the first one that kicked me in the ass. That being said, Jessica Pan struggled with a lot of the same issues and she set out on a year of extroversion. She was determined to make her friends, better herself, and even got a few fun stories out of it.

Now I could never imagine doing some of the stuff she did, ex. see chapters "Everest or Stand Up Comedy" and "La-La-Land or Traveling Solo."

But I see a lot of myself in her and finally understand why I hate small talk...it's because I want the meat of what makes people tick. I want to know intimate details about their lives and understand who they were when they were living through it. I don't care how the weather is, I don't care that traffic was bad. I want to know WHY you love/hate this weather or what was really bothering you when that guy cut you off in traffic.

Her year of extroverting gave her a new sense of what it means to be an introvert.
She found a happy medium between the two and I think we could all use a little help finding that line.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Andrew McNeels Publishing, and to Jessica Pan for providing me with a copy of Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come.

I am so glad I found this book!

Ever feel like your introvert personality is holding you back in life? Keeping you from meeting new people, making new friends, chasing your dreams? Maybe it's time you embraced the extrovert side that's just dying to come out. That's exactly what Jessica Pan did for a year. Instead of remaining shy and trying to avoid a lot of contact with people, she decided to push herself in a bunch of different ways - talking to strangers on the train, traveling alone, taking an improv class, even doing some public speaking! Along the way, she meets many interesting people who advise her on the best way to be more social and open to surprises in life.

As an introvert myself, I could relate 100 percent to the anecdotes Pan includes. I too would run the opposite direction from stand-up comedy classes or dinner parties (I hate small talk!) Although I'm not as brave as Pan, I really admired her courage to face her fears. She writes with a funny, yet emotional tone, so it's easy to connect with her. I really loved the writing style and tone of this book and will definitely recommend it to my fellow introverts.

Wow! What a fantastic journey! I loved Jessica Pan's writing and appreciate the way she opened herself up to the world and exposed some of her deepest fears and dragged us readers along (willingly) on her journey to face them and challenge the things that she finds most terrifying. Kudos to her for being willing to do this to herself -- Ms. Pan, you probably don't know how much you've done for all the other introverts out here in the world!

When I think of overcoming some of the things I find difficult as an introvert, I'm thinking joining Toastmasters is a step out of my comfort zone. Improv? Standup comedy? Acting in a play? Asking unwitting strangers crazy questions? It's clear it's all a journey and none of this stuff will kill you, although it probably feels like it should. Loved her wry sense of humor and sense of optimism tinged with dread that's imbued throughout the book, and I am amazed by her sense of purpose and courage to put herself out there just to see if she can accomplish her goals (when she could have just curled up on the sofa and read a book or binge watched Netflix). Just saying.

I recommended this book to a good friend, with this caveat: Don't sit down and read it all at once like a novel. This book needs to be savored, and can't be appreciated as well if you just plow through it to get 'er done. I will make sure we incorporate this book in our displays at my library and will push it through readers' advisory. This would be a great read for our book club.

Please give this woman another book contract, Pronto! I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

I loved this book! A lifelong introvert (shintrovert - shy introvert) decides to try out some extroverted activities in an attempt to become more outgoing. For a year, the author participates in activities like improv, stand-up, talking to strangers, and traveling alone. Though this is my worst nightmare, I found this book engaging and inspiring, and I found myself wanting to try a similar experiment. I would definitely purchase this book for my library, and I think any introvert could benefit from giving it a read.

I enjoyed this book! I thought it was really funny and well-written, and i definitely identified with it as an introvert. Some of the situations that Jessica put herself into gave me a bit of anxiety, but I loved to see how she dealt with her uncertainty. I think this book was a good reminder to step out of my comfort zone more often!

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come is something all of us could have said at one point in our lives if we were being more honest and less polite.

It's also the title of Jessica Pan's hilarious and insightful memoir, chronicling a year in this shy introvert's life as she challenges herself to spend a year talking to strangers, accepting social invitations, making new friends, and otherwise living like an extrovert.

Jessica Pan is very down to earth, and the book reads like a conversation with a good friend. It's no surprise to hear that she is accepted to do a storytelling event with The Moth- when you hear this story you will laugh, cringe, and smile right along with her.

Pan consults experts in areas such as social anxiety, public speaking, charisma, and stand-up comedy and uses the information she gathers to take steps outside her comfort zone. She shares this insight, information from her research, and personal observations and experiences with readers.

The result is inspiring and informative; I can't remember the last book I highlighted so many passages to refer back to. I found it relatable as an introvert, but I feel that what Pan has to say could help more than those like herself.

I'd recommend this fast and insightful read to introverts, those that love them, people who want to get outside their comfort zones, improve their public speaking skills, make new friends, or have more meaningful connections with people in their lives. I believe that anyone reading could find something to take away from this fun book.

I received this ARC book in exchange for my honest review.

The title caught my eye first on this book and made me want to read it. This isn't just a book for introverts,
It is a good read with witty commentary, that most readers would enjoy. Some of the material felt a bit repetitive at times but overall I liked it.

As I read about your experiences, I nodded my head at your fears and worries. But I also cheered you on. Some of the things you jumped out and did – improve, live comedy, traveling alone to a strange city – made me initially recoil. But you did them and then told us readers about what happened. Then bared your soul to write it all in the book. Thank you for sharing from other mentors the information that most people do want to wave back and to enter a conversation. They just usually need someone else to get the ball rolling. I am enthused by your statement that “things that seem impossible can suddenly become possible.”

So yes, I lived vicariously through some of your year and would probably not have the courage for some things but I admire the heck out of you because you went for it and didn’t back down. Your book will help me try to ask Deep Talk questions, to creep a little bit outside my shell, to take a few more risks though honestly I’d rather try and climb Everest than do stand up comedy. B

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just while reading the introduction of this book, I could already relate to it SO MUCH! It was super interesting to read her journey throughout the year. It was a fun, light hearted read with lots of funny parts!

If you’re also an introvert, I highly recommend checking this one out! It’s out in stores TODAY May 28, 2019!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come. As an introvert, Jessica Pan is so relatable. I do try to say yes to think I don't want to do, but I can't imagine doing it on this scale. It was fun and mortifying to read her experiences in extroverting. I got stressed out, my palms got clammy, and I inevitably cheered for her when she overcame extreme reticence and did extroverted things. My favorite essay was her Moth podcast experience. I can't imagine telling a personal story in front of so many strangers.

If you're an introvert, ambivert, or just an extrovert who is curious about the inner thoughts of introverts, definitely check this one out.

As an introvert, this book was painful for me to read at times. I so appreciated Jessica Pan's quest to live her life as an extrovert for one year. She writes conversationally and her ability to laugh at herself and situations made the experience enlightening. I admire her willingness to share her journey. I would liken it to Shonda Rhimes' The Year of Yes, both in tone and in humor.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

This was an alright book. Ultimately it didn't do that much for me, which is a shame, considering the concept and the fact that I, too, am an introvert-- I felt like most of the stories were too mundane to really have been worth recording. There were gems here and there, but as a whole the book felt like the author sold the book on a pitch, then when it came time to write the book there wasn't nearly as much there as she thought there would be. Her writing is strong, though, so I think she'll have more promising work in the future.

As a shy introvert frequently known as a "shintrovert", Jessica Pan decided to take a year to step out of her shell and enter the "extroverted world". After a family crisis in her family turned into a light bulb moment she realized she was lacking in the friend's department. She decided to take this time to focus on connecting with new people who might just turn into the good friends she was hoping for in her own life.

She shares her trials and tribulations and also the things she learned along the way...many of which, pleasantly surprised her. This book was insightful and humorous and if this title catches your eye, you might enjoy it too!

Part memoir, part self-help, Jessica Pan takes on a challenge that literally makes my palms sweat and heart race, and lives to relay the tale. In recounting her experience “extroverting” for a year, she shares tips and tricks that seem basic enough for a 10 year old, but are helpful for introverts like me for whom holding a conversation with a stranger is a mentally demanding task. There were parts of the book I related to less than others, mainly because Jessica is a “shintrovert” (a shy introvert), and I’m just an introvert, but overall it was a rewarding read that challenged me to rethink the excuses I make as an introvert. I’d recommend it for any introvert willing to push themselves outside their comfort zone to experience all life has to offer.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!!

I loved this book! It shows just how amazing those experiences that we think are going to be uncomfortable can be if we push past our anxiety and experience new things!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this memoir eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings . . .

sorry i'm late, i didn't want to come: one introvert's year of saying yes (Jessica Pan)

Title: sorry i'm late, i didn't want to come: one introvert's year of saying yes

Author: Jessica Pan

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Publication Date: Tomorrow!! (paperback/e-book)

ISBN: 978-1449499235

Source: NetGalley

Okay so I be an introvert from an entire family of very extroverted people.  The ma can meet and talk to anyone and makes life-long friends everywhere she goes.  Me sis loves parties and tons of people hanging out at her house.  I be a tough ol' salt who has a withering glare, a distaste for crowds, and a cutless for prodding if ye get too close.  And yet I be the weird one.  Bah!  As I grown older and even more set in me ways, I like nothing more than long nights at sea with me book and me bunk and the peace of the waves.  So when I saw this title it made me laugh and I had to give it a go.

And the author's journey is hell, pure and simple.  I was impressed.  I can talk to strangers if I must.  Though the sails end up tattered and all hope was nearly lost, I have survived public speaking engagements.  A Captain must do such things or face mutiny.  But doing improv or performing stand-up comedy.  I would rather slit me own throat.  I am an introvert who despises having to force extrovertedness at all costs.  Only for survival mateys!

I ended up having a decent time reading this one.  I certainly found the first half of the book much more to me taste then the second half.  I feel that the latter part of her year seemed to be discussed in less detail.  It was less about the interesting people she met and more about the social situations liking traveling alone or taking magic mushrooms or more comedy nights.  I have no interest in the mushrooms and no problems traveling alone.  So I did get a bit bored.  But ultimately I applaud this kindred introvert and her pluck.  Congrats matey.  I raise me grog in toast.  Arrrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing!

Side note: for the large majority of introverts on me crew, if ye haven't read quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking then I suggest giving it a gander!

Goodread's website has this to say about the novel:

An introvert spends a year trying to live like an extrovert with hilarious results and advice for readers along the way.

What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she’d normally avoid at all costs? Writer Jessica Pan intends to find out. With the help of various extrovert mentors, Jessica sets up a series of personal challenges (talk to strangers, perform stand-up comedy, host a dinner party, travel alone, make friends on the road, and much, much worse) to explore whether living like an extrovert can teach her lessons that might improve the quality of her life. Chronicling the author’s hilarious and painful year of misadventures, this book explores what happens when one introvert fights her natural tendencies, takes the plunge, and tries (and sometimes fails) to be a little bit braver.

To visit the author’s website go to:

Jessica Pan – Author

To buy the novel go to:

sorry i'm late, i didn't want to come - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

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