LAGNIAPPE - A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA

BOOKS THAT ALL INTROVERTS SHOULD READ

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?

I ran across an article earlier that had to do with introverts. Since I am an introvert, I stopped to read it. It gave twenty-six (26) books that introverts might enjoy. I have read a couple of them and I am going to add another one or two to my ever-expanding TBR list. However, my list will outlive me, I have no doubt. I’m in the process of writing a post about my goals as far as book reading goes, during 2020. I’m aiming high and hope I can live up to.
Please check out this article. You can find it here. You will probably find some you have read and add to your list as well
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There is also a quiz on this site that you can take to determine to what degree and what kind of introvert or extrovert you are.

I have listed below six of the books from this list that either caught my eye, I have read, or I’m planning to read. There are twenty more to check out. It’s a fun list to look at.


TELL THE WOLVES I’M HOME
BY CAROL RIFKA BLUNT

SYNOPSIS
It’s 1987, and June Elbus has lost her best friend in the world, her uncle Finn. June is 14, and reserved in a way her sister, Greta, will never understand. They used to be so close, but now, the only comfort June can find is in the woods, where she is free to think and be alone without the painful eyes of other people on her. As June finds out more about her uncle, and comes to learn more about herself, her family, and the world itself. This perfectly quiet novel will make any shy or introverted person feel immediately understood.

MY THOUGHTS
I have not read this book, however I find the synopsis above to be tempting. Sometimes when I was a child, after I lost my grandmother who died at 96, I would go off in the woods next to our house with just my dog, Lucky, and roam for hours. If I found a cleared spot or got tired, I would stop to rest. I had all I needed. My lunch, my dog, and a book. I may add this to my list. Said list is already so long, it will undoubtedly outlive me. This book is available at Amazon



READY PLAYER ONE
BY ERNEST CLINE

SYNOPSIS
It’s 2044, and the world is falling apart. Ernest Cline’s bestselling first novel tells the story of Wade Watts, a teenager who has almost completely removed himself from reality in order to pursue an “Easter Egg” within a video game to win a billion dollar prize. Wade, and the rest of the world, would rather communicate via virtual reality than actual reality, they feel more themselves tucked away, a feeling most introverts know all too well.


I’m reading this book now (October 30, 2019). I haven’t gotten very far into it, but it has been on my TBR list for a very long time. I checked Goodreads for reviews and came away with many 5* reviews. A good many, from long-time friends of mine whose opinion I trust. So, I have high hopes for this one. This book may be found at Amazon


WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE
BY MARIA SEMPLE

SYNOPSIS
Bernadette might be the ultimate introvert in literature. She would rather disappear from her daughter’s life all together than take a trip to Antarctica, because other people will be there. While we’ve surely all felt this way at one time or another, Bernadette takes introversion and dislike of crowds to an entirely new, hilarious level.


MY THOUGHTS
This is another book that has been on my TBR list for a couple of years now. It will go on my list of goals for 2020. Be on the lookout for a separate post later in the year.


It really sounds good. While I am an introvert, I don’t think that I would risk losing contact with one of my children rather than go anyplace undesirable to me. I would probably just “suck it up” and be miserable. I’m looking forward to reading this book. This title can be purchased from Amazon


Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
by Susan Cain

SYNOPSIS
Susan Cain takes a scientific look at introverts, and the quiet power they hold, even in a society that seems to grow louder and louder every day. A must read for any and all introverts who could use a little empowerment every now and then.

MY THOUGHTS
I have read this book and it was an epiphany to me. It’s a must if you’re the least bit curious about introverts and extraverts and the difference between the two. I highly recommend reading this. You can find it here.


THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
BY STEPHEN CHBOSKY


SYNOPSIS
It wouldn’t be a list about being an introvert without this one. Stephen Chbosky (literally) wrote the book on it. There’s a good chance you read The Perks of Being a Wallflower at some point in high school and related so well to Charlie that you couldn’t quite believe it. He’s quiet, he just wants to read his books, go to school, and make things work, and, sometimes, he just can’t put those things into words. Been there, felt that.

MY THOUGHTS
I have read this book many years ago. It described exactly how I felt as a teenager in high school. I was a big geek, as I am now, and would rather read than socialize. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, young or old for either a reminder of their teenage years, or to make them feel better to know that lots of people go through this to some degree.
Find it here . A movie was also made several years ago. Find it here


THE GOLDFINCH
BY DONNA TARTT


SYNOPSIS
The Goldfinch features the ultimate dynamic: the introverted, shy friend joined by the incredibly spunky, outgoing best friend. Tartt’s writing has so much to it, but one of the best parts by far is the friendship between Theo and Boris. An introvert brought out of his shell and pushed by an extroverted friend is something all introverts have experienced at least once!

MY THOUGHTS
This is in my top five favorite books for me in 2019. It was absolutely wonderful. Donna Tartt is a terrific author and I have read several of her books. Unfortunately, I could not find a website dedicated to her. You can find out more about her from goodreads.com. You can find the book at Amazon. The Goldfinch was a Pulitzer Price Winner for fiction in 2014. A movie came out in 2019. I did not get a chance to see it. I’m hoping it will hit Netflix sooner than later. It is fantastic and I would recommend it to all.

So that’s it folks. I hope you look over the entire list and maybe you will pick up one or two that you must read. I know I did.

ABOUT ME

THINGS TO PONDER

I’m having a lazy day today. Just sitting here thinking about things I need to think more about. Just random thoughts. And it suddenly occurred to me that maybe someone else out there needs to give more thought to things in their life. I will add to the post from time to time. For today, I am thinking about two things.

I think about this a lot. How much does swearing and pitching a fit about something really help any situation. I’m sure that most people will say, it only makes the situation worse, but it always makes me feel better to let loose with a temper tantrum and a few well-chosen curse words.
You know what they (I’ve never really known who “they” is specifically) say. Opinions are just like a**holes, everyone has one. I always try to remember that I can agree to disagree with many different opinions but still remain open to others.

I’ve been putting a lot of thought into the fact that I wasted so much time of my life doing things that I really didn’t enjoy. Putting up with people that I really didn’t enjoy. No, I’m not feeling sorry for myself or regretting the life I have led. At the time, I was doing exactly what I thought I wanted to do at the time. One of the main things I really should have thought about was getting married fresh out of high school at 18 years of age. I had no idea who I was or who I might become . I stumbled around for years, hating the jobs I had, not being with people that I really enjoyed being with. I could go on and on about the stupid things I did as a younger person. I have to laugh at some of my shenanigans. I have come to realize that I had to get past 60 to settle down into a job I love, travel where I want to go and have found my soulmate.

I’d like to see what things you regret as well as things that have gone right for you. I’d be interested to know.

THINGS I'M DOING

One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America by Gene Weingarten- ARC Review — Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub

This is a re-blog book review from the ‘Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub’ that I found very interesting. I immediately ordered this book and am really looking forward to reading it. I thought maybe some of you might find it interesting and want to read it as well. I think it would be a very good book for discussion. See what you think. While you’re enjoying this post, you might want to check out her blog. She’s got lots of interesting things on there.

Originally posted on Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub: On New Year’s Day 2013, two-time Pulitzer Prize–winner Gene Weingarten asked three strangers to, literally, pluck a day, month, and year from a hat. That day—chosen completely at random—turned out to be Sunday, December 28, 1986, by any conventional measure a most ordinary day. Weingarten spent the next…

One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America by Gene Weingarten- ARC Review — Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub
BOOK REVIEWS, YA BOOKS

THE NIGHT THAT OLIVIA FELL BY CHRISTINA MCDONALD

Publishing Information from Amazon.com

  • Print Length: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Gallery Books (February 5, 2019)
  • Publication Date: February 5, 2019
  • Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
  • Language: English

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS

In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.

When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?

Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heart wrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you? 

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My Thoughts

When I first saw this book, I knew it would be an easy read with a little mystery in it. I didn’t realize it was a YA book. I should research more carefully in the future. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a terrible book and I’m sure that middle school and high school age children would eat it up. But for me, not so good.

The book centers around a 16-year-old high school girl named Olivia who has a terrible “accident”. Or, is something more sinister at the root of her fall? Her mother Abi, an overprotective single mother who adores her daughter and keeps a tight rein on her.

Olivia has a BFF, Madison, a boyfriend, Tyler. Madison has been a friend since they were small children and Tyler is, of course the handsome but shallow captain of the football team.

I could go into great detail about all the characters and the twists and turns this book made, but I will let you read it for yourself.

All of this is quite predictable and I had no problem figuring out how it would end. Like I stated above, it was not a terrible book, but pretty lightweight. I didn’t research it or read reviews.

The book has some redeeming features that will be evident toward the end. If you like YA books or have a teenage daughter or son that is a reader, this is a perfect book for them.

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About the Author

Christina McDonald

Christina McDonald is the USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell (Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books), which has been optioned for television by a major Hollywood studio. Her next book, Behind Every Lie, is out Feb 2020. Her writing has been featured in The Sunday Times, Dublin, USAToday.com, and Expedia. Originally from Seattle, WA, she has an MA in Journalism from the National University of Ireland Galway, and now lives in London, England with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.