These are the best books for introverts, carefully reviewed and ranked.
Sections
1. Non-fiction
2. Novels
We have separate book guides on social skills, conversation skills, social anxiety, confidence, self-esteem, making friends, loneliness, and body language.
Non-fiction
1. Quiet
Author: Susan Cain
This book by Susan Cain is one of the most popular books on the topic of introversion.
In her book, Cain points out that some of the world’s best-known names have been introverts (think Mark Twain, Dr. Seuss, Rosa Parks, etc.). As she dives into the many accomplishments of introverts throughout history, Cain emphasizes the point that to underestimate introverts would be a huge detriment to our society. Cain also gives some strategies for using the power of your introversion to be successful both personally and professionally.
Negatives: The book is more about validating the introverted reader than actually giving an objective point of view. She talks down on extroverts to get her point across instead of giving the reader a fair and balanced picture of extroverts.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to understand more about yourself or other introverts
2. You want stories about real and successful introverts
3. You’re interested in how introverts can thrive in business and in life
4. You want to feel good about being an introvert
Skip this book if…
You’re looking for an objective and scientifically accurate book about introverts and introversion
4.06 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
2. The Introvert Activity Book
Author: Maureen Marzi Wilson
Unconventional, but It’s the best rated introvert-themed book with over 40 reviews on Goodreads. It could be described as self-help mixed with adult coloring for introverts.
The Introvert Activity Book gives you doodle ideas, lists to make, paper-craft projects, writing prompts, and more.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to embrace your inner child
2. You want to create, doodle, and experiment
3. You want something light-hearted and fun
Skip this book if…
1. You don’t like anything that can be interpreted as childish
2. You just want to read
4.34 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
3. Quiet Influence
Author: Jennifer B. Kahnweiler
Written by an extrovert and dealing with utilizing an introvert’s strong points at the workplace, this book’s main idea is to teach the introverted reader to stop trying to push themselves to be more extroverted, and instead focus on their strengths and use them to their advantage.
The book includes many real life examples of introverts using their strengths in different situations. It also has two tests you can take: one to find out whether you’re introverted, and another one to see how well you’re doing at the 6 main introvert strengths that the author identifies.
On the negative side, the book may feel too “common sense” and basic to a reader who’s already well acquainted with the concept of introversion.
Buy this book if…
1. You’re not very familiar with the concept of introversion
2. You’re an extrovert and you have trouble understanding the introverts around you
3. You want tips on how to work more productively, focusing on your strengths
4. You want real life examples of introverts using their strengths to their advantage
Skip this book if…
1. You’re already familiar with the concept of introversion and extroversion and are looking for more in-depth knowledge
2. You want a book written by an introvert
3.83 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
4. Introvert Power
Author: Laurie A. Helgoe
This is a book that explains exactly what it says it will – the characteristics that make you an introvert are the same characteristics from which you can draw your strength and power, according to Laurie Helgoe, Ph.D.
This book is about acceptance of your introversion, more than it is advice or deep analysis.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to feel good about being an introvert
2. You want to become better about establishing your boundaries
3. You like interesting diagrams and statistics about introversion
Skip this book if…
1. You want actionable advice on how to be more social, outgoing, or extroverted when life demands it
2. You’re more toward the middle of the introvert-extrovert spectrum (this book mostly focuses on the extreme introvert)
3. You’re looking for an unbiased look on introversion and extroversion
3.87 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
5. The Introvert Advantage
Author: Marti Olsen Laney
If you don’t know a lot about introversion, this will help you understand and accept yourself and others better. It’s not a big favorite of mine, but it’s a popular self-help book for introverts.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to learn basic coping skills for how to handle extrovert life as an introvert
2. You want some light pop-psychology about introversion
Skip this book if…
1. If you’re looking for something more scientific and deep
2. If you already know a lot about introversion
3.87 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
6. The Secret Lives of Introverts
Author: Jenn Granneman
If you don’t always understand your own introversion, that makes this book perfect for you.
Granneman explains what is really going on in the mind of an introvert. She discusses what is happening in our brains when we get “too into our heads,” what we need out of a partner in order to have fulfilling personal relationships, and more.
This book is for anyone who is looking to better understand what it means to be an introvert.
What I like most about this book is that it gives a balanced and non-dogmatic look on introversion. It neither glorifies nor vilifies introversion nor extroversion. It gives a more balanced and fair picture than most other books in this niche.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to learn more about introversion and understand yourself more
2. You want advice on finding a partner or choosing a career as an introvert
Skip this book if…
1. You already know a lot about introversion
2. You want more of a feel-good-book about introversion
3. You want something scientific and deep
3.78 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
7. Networking for People Who Hate Networking
Author: Devora Zack
As can be gathered from the name, this is a narrowly themed book. Aside from the main focus, which is networking, it also includes some basic quality of life tips for introverts.
Easy to read and fairly short, it’s a mix of basic, but actionable advice and pop psychology.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to improve your networking skills
2. You want a light read
3. You are not familiar with introversion
Skip this book if…
You want something scientific and deep
3.55 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
8. The Introvert’s Way
Author: Sophia Dembling
This book aims to encourage the introverts to accept themselves for what they are. It could be a good starting point for someone who only recently started identifying as an introvert and feels lost or unsure of themselves.
It delves into some scientific research on the difference between extroverts and introverts, but doesn’t go too in-depth. A lot of it is the author’s personal experiences, which may not be relatable for a type of introvert different from her.
While short, the book is still somewhat repetitive.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to feel better about being an introvert
2. You’ve started identifying as an introvert recently
3. You want to read personal insights and anecdotes related to the author’s introversion
Skip this book if…
You’re already somewhat familiar with your introversion and want a deeper understanding of it
3.67 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
Novels for introverts/about introverts
1. Quiet Girl in a Noisy World
Author: Debbie Tung
A graphic novel about Debbie Tung’s experiences in her final year in college, and then her life after college – finding a job, learning to live with her husband, navigating office politics, and more.
Unfortunately, the book creates some confusion between introversion (a personality trait) and social anxiety (a treatable disorder). Both are mixed together in many parts of the story as just introversion. But all in all, this book is cute, relatable, and funny.
Buy this book if…
1. You want a cute and funny read about how life can be as an introvert with social anxiety
2. You love illustrated novels or comics
3. You loved Introvert Doodles by Maureen Marzi Wilson
Skip this book if…
1. You’re unsure about the difference between social anxiety and introversion
2. You want actionable advice for social anxiety-related issues (book recommendations on social anxiety here)
4.32 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
2. Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen
This classic by Austen is all about the introvert heroine Anne Elliot. This is about how an introverted woman deals with love, marriage, and social customs in the early 1800s England.
Buy this book if…
1. You love classic literature
2. You think you could identify with a 27-year-old introvert heroine
Skip this book if…
1. Classic literature doesn’t interest you
2. You don’t like romance
3. You want actionable advice
4.14 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
3. Introvert Doodles
Author: Maureen Marzi Wilson
In this illustrated book/comic, you follow Marzi through her most awkward, honest, and relatable encounters through life.
Some caveats with this book are that it relies on stereotypes of introverts and extroverts which are not necessarily true or correct. It also mixes introversion with symptoms of social anxiety. My main problem with this is that introversion is part of who you are, but social anxiety is not – social anxiety is a common and treatable disorder. But as long as you’re aware of this, this is an uplifting and fun comic.
Buy this book if…
1. You want a relatable, fun, and quick read that makes you feel less alone
2. You love comics and doodles
Skip this book if…
1. You want an unbiased and true picture of introversion
2. You want actionable advice for social anxiety-related issues (book recommendations on social anxiety here)
4.22 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
4. Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Brontë
This book is written like an autobiography by Jane Eyre, an orphan and outcast navigating life in the 1800s London. The novel explores themes such as sexuality, religion, morals, and proto-feminism,
This book, to me, is a celebration of the self-conscious, thoughtful, and overthinking introvert.
Buy this book if…
1. If you want to read a classic novel with an introverted heroine
2. You never quite felt like you fitted in
3. You’re interested in early feminism
Skip this book if…
1. You don’t like romance
2. You don’t like classic literature
3. You want actionable advice (book recommendation on social skills here)
4.13 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
A coming-of-age story, about the introverted and observant Charlie in his late teens. First dates, family drama, love, loss, drugs, anxiety, depression, and life as an awkward teen. Most introverts can probably relate.
There’s also a movie with the same name, I highly recommend that one too.
Buy this book if…
1. You want an entertaining and relatable story about coming of age
2. You’re either in your teen’s or you can relate to those years
Skip this book if…
1. You want to avoid some darker themes like death, rape, suicide, incest, and more.
2. You can’t identify with crippling awkwardness
3. You’re not interested in a teenager’s perspective on life
4.20 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
6. Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come
Author: Jessica Pan
This book is about the author, Jessica Pan, challenging herself for one year to live like an extrovert. The problem? She’s both an introvert and shy. The book is filled with short stories about her adventures and misadventures.
I highly recommend this humorous and relatable book.
Buy this book if…
1. You want to live life vicariously through Pan’s story
2. You love reading stories about social experiments and pushing your comfort zone
Skip this book if…
1. You want something practical or useful
2. You’re not interested in pushing your comfort zone
3.93 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
7. Walden
Author: Henry David Thoreau
This classic details Thoreau’s experiences and thoughts over two years of living alone in a cabin he built in the outskirts of civilization. An introvert’s dream?
His social commentary has had a great impact on millions of people over the years. Some people love it, others see Thoreau’s writing as self-important and arrogant. You be the judge.
Buy this book if…
1. You’re interested in introspection and philosophy
2. You’re interested in simple living and self-sufficiency
Skip this book if…
1. You’re not interested in philosophy
2. You’re not into classic literature
3. You want something easy-to-read
3.78 stars on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any favorites I missed!
Also, you might be interested in our other books guides on the following topics:
– Best books on self-confidence
– Best books on social skills
– Best books on conversation skills
– Best books on social anxiety
– Best books on making friends
– Best books on body language
