So interesting - being a life-long introvert, it’s fascinating seeing so many aspects of my personality tied together so well.

I don’t know that I ever thought of over-thinking and regret of not doing what I think I should have tied to being introverted. And how social anxiety translates to life anxiety - wondering if I’m good at anything at all.

And I guess I’m not the only one who goes to the bathroom for a little relief from the crowd.

"I hate it when people invalidate my feelings and anxieties. It just makes me feel worse about myself. As if what I’m feeling isn’t normal."

Yes! I love it when a book - even better a comic book - puts into words things that have rolled around in my brain.

"I always doubt that I’m living up to my full potential. I feel like I should constantly be doing something to improve myself, learning new things, and growing as a person."

Get out of my head, Debbie!!

Also interesting - we score the same way on the Myers-Briggs (INFJ). No wonder I relate.

(I think INFJs get excited about finding out about INFJs - because they spend so long wondering why they are the way they are; often confirmed by others that their personality isn’t valid; yet when they find out that this is a personality type, they feel vindicated. I am this way and it’s ok!)

Highly recommended - if you’re an introvert, you can relate; if you’re an extrovert, you can see how the other half lives!

've enjoyed reading this graphic novel primarily because I could relate to this so much. I am introvert and I saw myself probably on every page. The artwork is on the simpler side yet quite nice and with muted colour tones goes well together.

There are pages that depict struggles of an introvert separately but all together create a story too. I was surprised that the story is quite dark at some places which isn’t bad thing and it gives the book depth. I relate to the whole story so much that it is impossible for me to not like this book.

Highly recommend to every introvert!

So many of these comics were recognisable, especially for the younger me. And that is exactly why this is such lovely thing. Many people will know the feelings and thoughts that comics portray. I just screamed ‘so true!’ at way too many of them. I too have a social limit. After a few social occasions I need recharging time. Meeting and greeting people is hard work! And I love how Debbie Tung manages to portray that, especially in the latter half.

I love the drawings, I love the subject matter, I simply love!

I will be getting a print copy of this for sure and I recommend this to anyone who has a bit of the introvert in them!

PS I keep thinking there’s a big fat lizard on the cover…

Thanks to netgalley for this advance copy !

Awwwwww this was such a nice read !
This lovely comic book will speak to most introverts, that's for sure. The author doesn't offer us mindblowing advice or new situations we haven't seen all over the internet BUT her drawings are really cute and she writes simply but effectively.
I'm happy to see she's in a good relationship and that she took the hard decision of leaving her previous job. I admire her for that !

Formatted review available at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2109410768

Being a quiet person can feel really lonely, because some people feel comfortable pointing out our “flaws” or see our quietness as a problem that needs to be fixed. It can make you feel really guilty for being yourself! This book of short black and white comics reminded me of how many kindred souls are out there, even though we may never meet each other because we prefer being cozy at home! Through her art, Debbie Tung recounts various milestones and experiences in her life from the end of college through the beginning of her career: navigating the social sphere, college (group projects!), dating, marriage, and starting a career.

I loved the moments of recognition! I related to so many of the author's life experiences:
• The small reliefs of dating/being married to an extrovert.
• Speaking up at strategic moments to earn more quiet time.
• Obsessing over embarrassing moments from 2+ decades ago.
• Being able to write complex thoughts down in excessive detail, but not being able to articulate my thoughts out loud. I write crazy long book reviews, but if someone asked me about the book in real life they'd probably get a four-word sentence!

“When I think about it, everything I am and everything I’ve achieved I owe to my introverted nature and all its little eccentricities."

Not only is this book filled with relatable moments, but it also shows that it’s okay to be an introvert. One of my favorite parts is when the author tells her boyfriend that she wishes she could socialize more like him. Later, he tells her that he wishes he could have “intense powers of concentration" like she does. We all have something to offer! Make the most of your assets. An introvert may not be comfortable with small talk, but they're able to contribute in other valuable ways. The author realizes how many of her unique traits actually contributed to her success. She learns to stop being so hard on herself and to stop pretending so much. There’s more than one way to live a life and it’s okay to forge your own path!

You can view Debbie Tung's artwork at her blog Where's My Bubble, website, and Instagram.

This is the coming of age story of a young woman struggling to fit in and be like everyone else, until she discovers a personality test that accurately describes her. Realizing she's not alone, that she's normal after all, gives her the courage to be true to herself. Charming drawings accompany these sweet and funny vignettes. Debbie Tung so accurately captures the inner monologues and life of an introvert - I have never felt so understood by a complete stranger. Reading this book was as revelatory as Myers-Briggs was to Debbie. An excellent book for all - extroverts can consider this a field guide to introverts, and introverts will feel they have a kindred spirit out there in the world.

I loved this graphic novel so much, as an introvert myself, I could relate to every situation Debbie faced throughout her life, especially the one about discovery you are a normal person, you are just an introvert and being one is pretty awesome. The drawings were quite simple but nice and it fits the story pretty well.

This book is essentially ME in graphic novel form. I found it so incredibly relatable. It was a great representation of what it is truly like to be an introvert.

This was honest and relatable and so brilliant. I enjoyed it massively. The illustrations that went with it were great too.

This is a simple, but very relatable, story for anyone who is an introvert. The simplicity of the illustrations add to it and make it an enjoyable read. While it certainly can't speak for all introverts, it is a good place to start.

I honestly though the cover was a baby dragon, chilling with his favorite book a cup of tea that he had heated himself by blowing on it. I was not far off. The story is about an introverted woman that comes into her own and realizes that she is not wrong or broken for being introverted. She learns to put herself first and allow herself the time she needs to recharge instead of killing herself for others. So, in my eyes the woman is in fact a dragon. She is powerful, brave, and should hoard more books and tea.

The book itself followed a very loose plot. I kept expecting there to be a real plot, but every time it started to get there, there were just random pages of one shot comics. The comics did give depth to the characters, but it felt a bit out of place. I loved the book and the one shot comics, don't get me wrong, but I kept getting pulled out by those pages.

I identified so much with both Debbie and her partner, depending on the scene. I am introverted to some extent (it is more like selective extroversion or an extrovert who can't stand being around people for long periods of time). My best friend from high school up to now is an introvert. I often had to navigate the social world for her. The dates that Debbie's partner plans were the same ones I planned for my best friend for our "parties". The anxiety Debbie faced at her wedding was the same anxiety that my best friend was facing and I was trying to save her from.

The art was cute and it fit the story very well. The physical representation of recharging her social batteries was perfect. I am a sucker for a physical manifestation or a physical representation of mental illness and emotions in general. So this book hit that button for me.

I highly recommend this book for introverted people. I already sent about a dozen texts to my best friend trying to get her to read the book. I think it will help her.

Instantly relatable.

This is a very enjoyable piece of work but more than that, it's instantly relatable. This is true whether you're an introvert or extrovert- everyone sort of finds themselves feeling some of these things or behaving in a similar way to the Debbie character in the cartoons.. If not, you're bound to know someone who is an introvert and identifies with the kind of behaviour portrayed.

I easily saw myself in most of the cartoons- particularly the ideal date night or staying in over going out as well as the ideal day being a day spent with a good book. It's just that nearly all of the time when I do go out, I have such a blast that I don't want to leave!

Debbie Tung's drawings were perfect for the book as she presents her own life on paper: her own social interactions, feelings and anxieties. The honesty was so valuable. I, myself, am more of an introvert than an extrovert- in the Asian culture with all the big family gatherings nearly every weekend, this isn't exactly ideal. Though, I have managed to embrace it- you can't always change who you are, particularly if you aren't naturally inclined to and thankfully I never had much of the doubts or the low self-esteem. And I was pleased that Debbie managed to embrace her own introversion as well, and in such a public way- through this book.

I do recommend you give this a read: it is insightful and assuring to the point that it has something for everyone.

I received this book through NetGalley.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book.
I'll start off by saying this book is just wonderful. Extra wonderful for book worms.
I'm not exactly an introvert myself, but I do enjoy time alone once in a while. And I do feel awkward in some social contexts.
There are moments in this book that made me feel it's my life. But of course, I don't have an amazing partner as Debbie does. That's another aspect of the book that just warms my heart. The romance is cute and actually gives me hope that there are still loving relationships out there.
All in all, perfect for anyone who loves books and enjoys time alone.

The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for providing feedback. (via NetGalley)

3.75 stars. Interesting read that I could relate to at times. Illustrations were well done.

As an introvert this book was very appealing to me. It was a bit grueling going through the first pages hoping the author and illustrator would perfectly capture the essence of introversion. Page after page she hit introversion on the spot and conveyed her autobiographical story in a way that made me both smile, laugh and cringe, because I could absolutely understand where she was coming from.
Even though some of the quick comics were a little exaggerated, I believe that Debbie Tung managed to show the life of an introvert and the challenges introversion pushes upon introverts.



The illustrations are simplistic and grey scale which adds to a nostalgic feeling where we follow Debbie Tung from childhood to adulthood, from a miserable working to an artistic success.

The story she illustrates shows how society highly prefers extroverts over introverts, and how introverts need to early create survival mechanisms, because the introverted steel focus or researcher mastermind is not appreciated before we are far into adulthood.   

The book centralises the need both extroverts and introverts, and how these two conflicting personality types can work perfectly together by showing each other mutual respect and understanding. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from finish to end.

This is a lovely graphic novel about a quiet girl who finds a way of living in a noisy world. It is probably the story of introverts everywhere but this one is brilliant because it tells her story through pictures.

The simple black and white drawings tell the true story of Debbie Tung, an introvert, and how she copes with living in an extrovert world. We see glimpses from her childhood and growing up, her Uni days, her marriage and her first job. We get to see her life and as she navigates through the demands of a noisy world her story will resonate with many.

Why is our world so noisy and demanding and how can we create the alone time we need in this world of noise and competing demands?

I really enjoyed this. Obviously being an introvert myself there were some of the pictures and parts of the story that resonated with me. I loved the way that this book conveys a sense that not everybody wants to be sociable and noisy, and not everybody wants to be part of the crowd. That we don't all want to be chatty or friendly at work or have to go to those never ending work social events.

I have an extrovert job and my times of aloneness are just so precious to me. The best part of the book is where Debbie shows how her batteries lose power and how she recharges them again and the ghastly times when she is really peopled out. She also come to terms with herself and recognises that it isn't wrong to be an introvert. We don't all need to be in a crowd 24/7. Sometimes we need the quiet and we thrive on it.

The artwork is lovely and quite simple but able to convey the story through the drawings. The artwork is also beautifully accompanied by a simple text and so the story isn't too wordy which is just as well give the story is about an introvert.

This would make a lovely gift for all the introverts and extroverts out there!

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I think Debbie just illustrated my life. I could relate to her so much that I wish I had a copy of this book for everyone I know. This book will be a favourite among us introverts who have often felt left out and judged for out quiet nature. It's a book you'll often point to and say "that's me!" because it accurately captures multiple moments we all know too well and understand. Delightful from start to finish and one of my treasured favourites.

This book is the perfect portrayal of the life of an introvert, 100%. I related so freaking hard to every single thing that Debbie said, and I found myself snickering and nodding along to pretty much every other page. If you're an introvert - especially one who doesn't frequently find books you can relate to very well - I highly recommend picking up a copy of this when it releases!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This books speaks to all the book loving, waiting to read, thank you, people out there that just want to have a little quiet time, and not socialize all the time.

I love how she has her battery that wears down the more she socializes, and how she feels she has to go home to get any work done, because working in an office if filled with people talking and not working. I remember that well.

It is a fun series of cartoons, that actually have individual meaning, as well as a narrative of her final year at grad school, getting married, and working her first full time job.

Apparently this is an online comic, and it is a cool collection, good for the introvert in your life, especially if that introvert is you.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

I haven't read a graphic novel or illustrated book for a while and this one was a great refreshing read! I would definitely categorise myself as an introvert and so much of this book was relatable to me and I think it would for many other people too. I liked the illustrations and the topics as well as how thoughtful it was; however I did find it a little repetitive but that's the only negative.