The Quiet Rise of Introverts Lib/E: 8 Practices for Living and Loving in a Noisy World

by Brenda Knowles

Many introverts in our world: More and more, people are identifying as introverts. Studies show that at least one-third of the people we encounter in our lives are introverts.Introverts and relationships: The Quiet Rise of Introverts: 8 Practices for Loving and Living in a Noisy World is a guide to help tenderhearted and introverted individuals grow and nurture their peace, purpose, and relationships.Many types of introverts: There are many facets to being an introvert and many variations to each type. But as you peel back the layers to all these you quickly learn that introverts may make up 50 percent of the world's population.Introverts and sensitivity: Author, speaker, and life coach Brenda Knowles presents 8 unique practices to help readers learn that they are not alone or flawed in their sensitivity and introversion. Certified as a Myers-Briggs practitioner, she has been writing and guiding introverts for five years in space2live and has provided training as a family mediator.Incorporating the 8 Practices into your life yields a calmer sense of self, a deeper understanding of mental and physical self-care, an embracing of positive conflict, growth in responsiveness, andthe secret to healing every d

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Born an introvert in a family of extroverts. I am the creator, writer and personal/relationship coach of BrendaKnowles.com. I coach and empower introverts and highly sensitive people (and their partners) as they process transitions and navigate relationships.

I created my blog, space2live, in Feb. of 2011.

My first book, "The Quiet Rise of Introverts: 8 Practices for Living and Loving in a Noisy World" will be released October 3, 2017.

I am fascinated by relationships, connection, curiosity, empathy, family dynamics and personal evolution. If you approached me with one of those topics at a party or event, I would talk to you for hours. You'd probably think I was an extrovert. ;)

I currently live outside of Minneapolis, MN with my three children and two guinea pigs.

Reviews

[Lauren Sapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book with the expectation that I would learn more about how to be a healthy introvert, but I left it with an entirely new perspective on intimate relationships, inner exploration, and self-actualization.

Every single chapter hit me with a stunning new insight about the way I communicate, connect (or disconnect) from people, and navigate my way through the world. I had inklings about some of my weak spots as an introverted personality, but after this book I can now point to very specific strategies I use with people that are good and not so good, and the protective mechanisms I call on whenever I’m stressed.

And an awesome unexpected side effect—within two days of starting this book I ended up deeply bonding with my husband over the conversations we had about it (he’s an introvert too).

I highly recommend this book to anyone passionate about personal growth and/or insatiably curious about psychology. Brenda Knowles definitely delivers on both, in a big way.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a toolkit in book form. The author describes skills & techniques geared towards helping introverts deal with parts of the world around them that can be particularly difficult for that personality type. If you are fairly new to the introvert / extrovert distinction, this book could help you learn the standard differences and ways in which people can be introverted.

The author very much buys into certain psychology models as they are defined, starting with introversion / extroversion. She also closely identifies with attachment theory, and talks about how it might interact with introversion. And the whole book is structured by Stephen R. Covey's Dependence => Independence => Interdependence progression. The definitions seem to very closely match how the author has experienced life. While I don't identify with them nearly as closely, the book is still useful as a starting point for thinking about how to deal with some parts of life as an introvert, or to make things easier for an introvert.

[Rena Sherwood]

DNF

The title is misleading. This has nothing to do with "The quiet rise of introverts." It's just a crappy, unfocused, pop psychology self-help book ... teaching introverts to be more extroverted.

Because fuck you, introverts.

This also seems to be the author's revenge against her extroverted family and ex-husband. Although, it's not much of a revenge. She just whines about them.

The woman can't write. She's boring as hell. I had to bail at Chapter 2, because life is too damn short.

No stars for this mess.

[Valeria Koopman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Practice paying attention, spending time in solitude, and with significant others who mirror your good and bad traits. Figure out your values and let them guide you and keep you focused.”

The Quiet Rise of Introverts invites us to connect with ourselves and others in the light of understanding and love. Brenda’s work illuminates the importance of self-awareness, inner exploration through compassionate practices.

This is a healing book that speaks to our inner world with clarity and gentleness. A must-read for anyone looking to be healthy within and with others.

It was a wonderful experience to have had the conversation with Brenda Knowles in a podcast interview! I love her commitment to changing lives!

[Doni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I felt like this book was nothing more than brief descriptions of other books cobbled together with passages of mistakes she had made in former intimate relationships. The area where I felt differently was when she described attachment theory. It is not as if she created attachment theory either, but it felt like she was familiar enough with it through her work, that she added depth to it. I have often read about attachment theory in context of a parent-child relationship. I had never thought to connect that pattern with our romantic relationships. Despite my low rating, I liked this book better than Quiet by Cain, which I couldn't settle into enough to read all the way through.

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more. I found this to be very much about the author much of the time, which could be alright if it was relatable, but much of it I felt she was talking for herself not others. I also found much of this advice to be assuming that the introvert in question struggles with other issues such as social anxiety on pretty debilitating levels. Perhaps that is sometimes the case, but this isn't the case for myself so much of what was suggested was useless. I didn't like this book at all despite really wanting to.

[Kalimorgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The organization bugged me. The author clearly wanted to write a self-help book but I would have enjoyed it more as a memoir. The most interesting parts were when she shared her realizations about her marriage and her personal growth process that started toward the end of the marriage. Unfortunately the authors she quotes are more interesting in their own books.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book I really liked and other parts where I felt she was doing some self-therapy. However, in my quest to better understand being an introvert, it was a helpful read.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good things to say, but editing was distracting.

[Mieke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like they just threw facts at me with no storyline or structure or something.

[Carmen Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that blends research, the author’s experiences, and new insights to create a toolkit for the readers. All of the practical guidance in this book offers many benefits to any relationship in the life of an introvert. The narrative talks directly to the introvert, giving sound viewpoints and concepts to embrace our agitated world. Easy to follow and connect with the author’s thoughts and her life journey. I’m refreshed for Brenda’s offerings. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

[Ronnette Benke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didnt realize how much of an introvert I was until my later years. But when i look back i see all the signs. I am a mix of introvert and extrovert, leaning towards the introvert. Privacy, peace, solitude, calm, etc. It was always there. This book gives a good look into introverts lives. If you aren't one most likely you know one. Its a noisy world and this boom let's light into a introverts life.

[Caroline Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tool for understanding my sensitive self better. This was clearly a cathartic book for the author to write and I think some of the details shared weren’t as much for the benefit of the reader, as much as the author, but overall still found it very useful. Very well-researched.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting...
It's half her life story, and half musings on introverts. I like how it's written so I kept going with it, even though I was like, who is this woman and why do I care about her relationship with her sister? I don't really recommend it, but it's not bad.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book includes a nice mix of personal stories and academic descriptions of relationships. However, based on what she wrote, I suspect she's more ambivert than introvert on the personality spectrum which made much of her advice inapplicable to me as an INTJ with a big "I."

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good all around tips. There are similar books out there that are more in depth but this is a great starting point.

[Bernie Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author shares strategies for introverts to learn a more satisfying life. She uses a step-by-step guide to for learners to move outside ones comfort zone.

[noa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
lots of relatable bits, a bit redundant and abstract sometimes

[Jennifer Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite but it was ok for what it was.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting points. Mostly on how various people relate differently. Was a bit long and dry.

[Melenide · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*

[frikatrika · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite quote: "Introverts don’t necessarily prefer less time in groups socializing but are more focused with their interest and relationships. When in groups or relationships that advance their interests and make efficient use of their time, introverts are happy."