Being mainly a fiction reader, I branched out when choosing this book. I am so glad I did! Also being an introvert, it was nice to read this kind of material. I loved it.

As an introvert (who pretends to be an extrovert), I can relate to this book. Introverts RSVP yes to parties that they don't actually want to go to and bail at the last moment to watch Netflix. We can relate to Jessica. But then as you get older, how do you make new friends if you are staying home? You say "yes" and actually do them. This book shows all of us that we should also keep plans to make new friends, and become more confident in meeting new people like Jessica. This was a funny, super relatable story that every introvert needs to read to understand how to better them selves. And for every extrovert to read to better understand their "flaky" friends.

I wanted to immediately give this book to several people as I was reading this laugh out loud memoir by a 30ish “shintrovert” (shy introvert) who decides to undertake a year long experiment being more like an extrovert. It was such a refreshing lesson on connecting with other humans face to face, even when it means having to deal with intimidating strangers in unfamiliar surroundings. Jessica Pan is an American transplant in England. Feeling friendless (aside from her husband), she subjects herself to stomachache inducing ventures that start with talking to random people on the train and advance quickly to doing stand up comedy at The Fringe. Her goal with each experience is to make deep, meaningful connections - to get past small talk and surface friendships. It’s a nerve wracking but ultimately highly rewarding year. As a journalist who lived abroad, travelled and even did a (what she described as failed) stint on TV, I think her introverted nature certainly didn’t stop her from being pretty adventurous. Her willingness to put herself out there in various painful ways is really inspiring. And, she survived! Even had fun! Although I would draw the line at doing a joke monologue on stage, based on how funny she is on paper, I think she obviously had something in her that would make improv and stand up viable challenges. At a minimum, I found myself at a reception recently where I thought to myself, “what would Jessica do?” and made more of an effort to talk to new people. That’s a start!

As an introvert, I found this book to be so relatable. I loved that I could see myself in the scenarios as well as be inspired by the author and her stories. Too much fun! Anyone could benefit from reading it.

Relatable on so many levels! I flew through this and had so much fun reading it. If you consider yourself an introvert, this is a must buy!

I’m am sorry to write the following, and I should have know better when the sassy title contained both words, “I’m” and “I.” The premise seemed promising; something relatable. However, this book disappointed me with its unlikely scenarios, unsatisfactory explanations of events, and journal-style writing. 2 Stars for the title, though.

This is a hilarious, totally relatable read. My attention was instantly grabbed by the title, but it was sustained by the humor and heart of the author, not to mention her openness, honesty, and bravery. Highly recommend.

As an extroverted introvert, I related to this book so much! I recharge by reading books by myself, and while I love my friends, I need that personal time. I laughed out loud and was able to take away several nuggets to push myself. Recommended for both introverts and extroverts.

How far would you go in order to make friends (in a foreign country, in a busy city)?
Jessica Pan goes the whole nine yards, which is admirable. She challenges herself to overcome her natural shyness, to leave her comfort zone and live as an extrovert for a year. And she does it by the book: she sets her target, does research (sometimes on Google!), talks to specialists (not necessarily licensed, anyone with a vast experience should do!), puts the ideas in practice and then quantifies the results. Talking to strangers on the street or on the bus, going on a trip in a surprise city without a map or tourist guides or eating magic mushrooms might not yield the desired result, but networking, friend-dating and taking improv classes might. By the end of the year, Jessica gathers enough friends to host a Thanksgiving dinner (the ultimate challenge!).
The author's light tone, the self-deprecating humour reveals not only Jessica's vulnerabilities but also shows she's aware of her shortcomings and needs people in her life that might compensate for them. We all do, so grab a pen and paper and start taking notes!

I loved this book! Jess' first book 'Graduates in Wonderland' is one of my all-time favorite books.
This one was more thought-provoking than I was anticipating. She writes in such an honest and naturally humorous way that I just adore. Plus she's talking about real things that we all experience and sharing how she's learn to deal with it in a healthier way. This book made me laugh out loud, but also made me really contemplate areas in my life where I have become complacent or have been missing out because I was afraid or thought I wasn't a certain "type of person."
I really appreciate that the moral of this book wasn't "Change who you are! If you're an introvert that's bad and extroverts are BETTER!" But she simply (through vulnerably sharing her own experiences) encourages us all to stop limiting ourselves based on labels or waiting for some day to come when we will be more perfectly suited to step out of our comfort zone.
Overall, such an enjoyable read. I flew through it because in reading this Jess felt like my cool older sister who was sharing wisdom with me and making me laugh and almost cry. Definitely recommend

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC!

Since the first time I saw the cover, I just knew I had to read this book. I’m clearly an introvert too and I immediately felt a connection with the title.

The author tells us about a very tense moment in her life, when her father had an open-heart surgery in LA and she saw herself alone in the waiting room. Her mother was there too, but they only allowed one visitor at a time, so she had to wait by herself for a while. Days later, after crossing the ocean and going back to her home in England, she realized how lonely she was. She wondered what would happen if she had sudden major surgery, with her parents on the other side of the world. She didn’t want her husband to sit there alone in the waiting room. She needed to find more close friends who lived in the same city.

But, who? How? Where?

She talks about a very common issue we face in adult life. Most of us have some really great childhood friends, but we often live too far from each other. Our lives changed a lot since we met. Now we have jobs, husbands, wives, kids, taxes to pay... We shared lots of experiences together, but we're all living different lives now.

We have internet friends, who are amazing, cause we usually share the exact same interests. But again, they live too far away. They probably wouldn’t be able to visit us at the hospital, for example.

Then, we also have friends from work, but not everyone is lucky enough to actually enjoy these people. And honestly, we don’t wanna see the same faces on our days off. We all need a break, right?

So, Jessica decided that she needed to find other creative ways to make new friends. Even being very shy, she just had to put herself out there, just to see what would happen if she tried to be a little bit more extroverted.

She tried a bit of everything. Friendship apps, book clubs, weekly improv classes, networking meetings, travels, stand-up comedy, etc.

She met some great new people along the way, but the most important thing was learning to see herself in a different way. She’s much more confident now. She’s still an introvert, but the idea of meeting new people doesn’t seem so scary anymore.

I loved all her references to tv shows, movies and music. As a big gilmore girls fan, I was very glad to see it being mentioned too.

I really enjoyed this read. :)

Upfront, I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for possibly reviewing it.

I LOVED this book. I am an Introvert with a Myers-Briggs I. This book was on my TBR as soon as I saw the title. I'm not a shintrovert like the author. I have to pretend to be an extrovert for work, and it is exhausting! What's a shintrovert? Read the book. Still, I could relate to her story on so many levels. Oddly enough, I have also lived in Beijing and London. I know exactly the challenges she's talking about. She is a lot kinder in describing them than I am. I really enjoyed her approach to the personal challenge she set. Besides being funny and entertaining, the book is surprisingly educational. I learned quite a bit, and I felt she really incorporated expert advice so well.

If you are an introvert, read this book. You'll find a kindred spirit. If you are an extrovert but always wondered why introverts do the things they do, read this book. If you don't know what you are, take a Myers-Briggs test first, then read the book.

And Jessica, now that I know many of your deepest, darkest secrets, would it be weird if I still wanted to be friends?

#SorryImLateIDidntWantToCome #NetGalley

If the title of this book speaks to you, you absolutely need to get a copy! Pan tells her story of stepping out of her introvert shell with relatable and laugh out loud humor. While reading there were so many things that made me think, made me stop because I was laughing so hard, or made me say "Oh my goodness, me too!"!
Really looking forward to the audiobook version of this, I'll be snapping that up ASAP!

I recieved an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

#SorryImLateIDidntWantToCome #NetGalley

Never have I felt so connected to a book since I stumbled across Susan Cain’s “Quiet” years ago. Pan does an excellent job making a nonfiction work flow as beautifully as a novel. This was compulsively readable, highly relatable, and thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

I used to always be outgoing and still am to an extent, but I have become more and more of an introvert over the last few years. This book was funny and I could relate to her. I realize that I should be more of a “yes man” then a no man.

It’s so easy to just stay in and browse through the internet, but this was a nice reminder to get out and about.

I read this in an afternoon. What a great memoir for introverts and I could totally relate to the author. A must read for anyone who is introverted.

This book caught my eye and I thought it would be a funny read. I think it was ok. A bit of it gets redundant and a bit cheesy, but still a fast read with some interesting points that lead to introspection.

n 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.

Totally loved the book "Sorry I'm Late, I didn't Want to Come". As I am also an extreme introvert, It made me smile. But it also gave me thought to get out and make an effort. I must say, I do have an excuse for everything. In this day you can order weekly groceries online, food delivered, even restaurants and pharmacies. Amazon is a friend.
Love this book. I will be buying the paperback.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.

Really good read. Some interesting points! Enjoyed it. Will post a full review soon on the blog. Great job. Look forward to reading more!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

As a somewhat introverted person, I related to this book on so many levels! I felt like Jessica Pan was a kindred spirit for me. I found myself nodding my head in agreement while reading the book and at some points (well most) saying to myself "Oh my god! Me too!"
This is a must read for all introverts and even extroverts because it is laughing out loud funny and also very relatedable!