Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story is a brilliant autobiography of the introverted author, Debbie Tung, as she learns to negotiate her way in an extrovert's world. She's in graduate school when it starts, working on her dissertation. She enters "adulthood", and lands her first job, while wondering in what direction she should take her life. Each page (or sometimes two) contains its own story, and each story rings true. She starts out filled with self-doubt, and the desire to please others. Most of the time what she'd like best is being home with a hot mug of tea and a good book. Sound familiar?

Tung is honest, self-deprecating and funny. She's also enormously likeable. There's a gradual recognition that she's not alone in show more being an introvert, and she develops a freedom as she finds ways to balance the different parts of her life and how she wants to approach them. I loved every bit of this one. show less

Debbie Tung tells her story, from graduate school to a couple of years later, of learning about who she is and learning to embrace it, in panels showing both humor and awkwardness in situations in which introverts will recognize themselves. I especially loved the scenes with her extrovert husband and how understanding he was of her difference. Though I don't have the same shyness or social anxiety as the author, I could relate to a lot of what she said - like how excited she gets about having nothing to do this weekend (I *might* have done that when a bachelorette party was postponed last weekend due to snow) and brings a book everywhere, even when she know she can't read it. This is a really delightful collection that may appeal to show more readers of Sarah's Scribbles (Adulthood is a Myth and Big Mushy Happy Lump), though the drawing in Quiet Girl is more realistic. show less

I could have used this book twenty-five years ago.

(Full disclosure: I received a free electronic ARC for review through NetGalley.)

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World is a memoir in graphic novel format. Author/illustrator Debbie Tung explores the growing pains of adulthood ... made all the more agonizing and confusing by her introversion. As she struggles to maintain a proper level of sociability - first as a graduate student, then as a member of the workforce - Tung wonders what the heck is wrong with her? When she stumbles upon a personality test online one day, it all clicks: she's not broken, just different.

I have social anxiety; I'm probably an introvert, too. I wasn't exactly sure how much I'd relate to Tung's life but, as it turns out, show more it's like looking in a mirror. Whether it's celebrating the cancellation of a much-dreaded get together, lying awake obsessing over an embarrassing episode that transpired years ago, or spending the remainder of the day napping to recuperate from an hour-long appointment, many of these could be scenes from my own life.

Yet these are pretty common manifestations of social discomfort and malaise, especially in the modern era, where technology often circumvents face-to-face interactions. It's when Tung's more specific weird quirks hit home that my mind was well and truly blown.

Humiliating parent-teacher meetings about your shyness? Check.



(My sixth-grade teacher actually set me up with another girl, on account of we were both so quiet and friendless. Like can you imagine?)

Fantasizing about eloping in order to avoid the public spectacle of a wedding? Check.





(My husband and I did elope, in Las Vegas. The only witness? The secular priest. My mom tried to send some family along and was super-pissed when I begged off.)

Not being able to make a phone call around other people? Yup, I'm afraid so.





Honestly, it just got freaky deaky after a while. It's like she cracked my skull open and was crawling around inside my mess of a brain.

The artwork is sweet and complements the story nicely; the color scheme is a muted grey, which suits the story's melancholy feeling. Topics like this can get real dark, real fast (seriously, just read my journal. Or don't!), and there are some rather depressing panels, but overall it's pretty gentle and forgiving. It's clear that Tung has found a place of acceptance and self-love (or at least understanding), which lends the book a hopeful vibe.

Along with Hyperbole and a Half and the Sarah's Scribbles collections, this is a book that I'll keep on my bedside table and return to in the future, whenever life feels like it's just too much. A must read for introverts, the terminally shy, those with social anxiety - and the people who love them.

http://www.easyvegan.info/2017/12/15/quiet-girl-in-a-noisy-world-by-debbie-tung/ show less

Two weeks ago I read Book Love by Debbie Tung and I adored it. I couldn’t wait to read Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, a beautiful work of Art that depicts the special, demanding nature of the ‘’introverts’’ who have to put up (personally speaking) with a world that likes to talk too much, rarely saying anything meaningful…

Motivated by my own hesitation to ask questions, I learned to ‘’read’’ my students’ eyes. I know when they have difficulties and questions. Unlike my own teachers who used to say that I was too quiet and it wouldn’t do me much good, even if my grades were perfect. Thank you, teachers, I hate you too. You didn’t do much to help, by the way. You sucked big time!

At the age of 20, I realised that I show more shouldn’t have forced myself to interact with toxic people just because we had known eachother since primary school. I decided that I wouldn’t go to parties of people I hated just because all my friends would be there. Thus, I found who my real friends are, the ones who accept me as I am. The ones who respect my wish to stay home with a book instead of going to the cinema (which I hate).

Through the support of people very close to me, I found the strength to participate in group projects and to speak my mind. To firmly stand behind it when I was convinced I was right. To reply to any condescending remarks that sounded like ‘’aren’t you a bit too quiet’’ with a ‘’I’m surprised you noticed, you are awfully loud’’ kind of line that sends any f….to immediate silence.

I cut off potential relationships when I visited houses devoid of books. Houses without souls, occupied by people who were empty. I hate small talk with people I don’t know. However, I can talk for hours with those who are special to me. We ‘’introverts’’ aren't stubbornly unresponsive. It’s just that we prefer to talk to the ones who really matter to us, about subjects that concern us. I will never engage in a discussion about politics, TV, films or fashion. I couldn’t care less. But if there is a discussion about books, sports, History, I forget to stop.

I relived these moments through Tung’s marvelous book. Through her cozy, whimsical illustrations she takes us on a beautiful, heartfelt journey to the unique world of those of us who are traditionally called ‘’introverts’’. I prefer to use the expression ‘’silent thinkers’’. And be proud of it…

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ show less

The title of this graphic novel leaped out at me and I quietly squealed with delight! "This is me, I'm that quiet girl"! The thing is, although the book began with the typical quiet reader's idiosyncrasies like introverted behavior, the love of cozy spaces and peaceful environments, it went far beyond what I've experienced. Angst? Over thinking? Huh! I'm too busy reading to even think let alone over think. Not to say that it doesn't happen. Author and Illustrator, Debbie Tung, seems to have wrapped all the possible behaviors into her "Quiet Girl", Debbie. The message being, you are normal! There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a quiet reader, in fact, you are not alone, just too quiet to discuss it with others. Revel in your show more shyness, accept your bookishness and instead of adapting to the behavior of others, adapt your life style to your love of books and like Debbie, you too, may find the people who love and accept you for what you are. show less

This book got me nodding like if I was listening to my favorite song. It is so relatable that it is scary! Most of my "weird" traits are nothing but normal characteristics of being an introvert: the most typical is that we need time to recharge after social interactions (messaging counts as well, but not as tolling as face to face interaction...usually). What surprised me was how many of Debbie's everyday actions were similar to mine, it made me laugh and feel connected.

The stories Debbie tells are mostly 1 page long divided in panels and show all kinds of "introvert struggles" she has faced along the years; as a college student, working adult, girlfriend and then wife of an extrovert, plus all the hassles of adulting while trying to show more fit in the world. Even though each mini story is individual, there is a chronological order and her shift in perspective is noticeable. At first everything feels like a struggle and she pushes herself to fit in and act extroverted while feeling alienated from the world. Then, as she discovers she is an introvert and that there is nothing wrong with her, she starts to accept herself. By the end of the book, it is clear that the struggles will continue, but she no longer tries to be someone she is not and embraces her true introverted self. The illustrations are monochromatic and really cute. I like Debbie's drawing style, it is pleasing to the eye, without too much detail but enough to catch the expressions and the general mood of each story.

I cant recommended this enough for all introverts; you will find yourself in most, if not all, pages of this book. For those with an introvert partner, friend or family member, before gifting this book to your loved one, read it first! and then, let them know you read it, or better yet, read it together. I believe there is no greater gift than knowing that there is someone out there who truly understands and accepts you as you are.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me an eARC in exchange for an fair review. show less

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World is a quirky illustrated tribute to what it means to be an introvert.

This charming collection of comics follows author/illustrator Debbie Tung in her journey of self discovery, learning that she is perfectly normal as is. These comics look at Tung’s life as she wraps up college and joins the ranks of the working world, gets married, and stumbles upon the key to her seemingly odd lifelong behaviours, complete with flashbacks to childhood that any severe introvert is sure to recognise (I know I did…).

The title is what drew me to this book, and I wasn't disappointed. Being a severe introvert myself, so much of this resonated on a deep level. Social interaction does me in, quite rapidly, and I most show more appreciated the 'battery’ comics. Combined with spoon theory of hidden autoimmune conditions, I’ve long felt like a battery that not only drains fast, but can't charge properly in the first place. I have the same rare Myers-Brigg rating Tung does, and get highly irritated with overstimulation.

A great gift for the introverts in your life, and who knows, it may even help them understand better what they are and why they are that way.

***Dos mere to Andrews McMeel/ Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review! show less