I’ve never read a book that knew me so well or that I read so easily. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has struggled on how to deal with being an introvert in a world that seemingly primary rewards the extroverts.

Quiet, describes every struggle I felt since I was a ki[a:Susan Cain|4101935|Susan Cain|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1315319296p2/4101935.jpg]d. Being told I’m too “sensitive” or labeled as shy when really I’m not shy b...I just don’t want to talk to you. I’m an introvert who prefers to drive in silence for hours & have alone moments, yet loves living a full life. I enjoy public speaking & events, but I’m done after a few hours of being around people. I’m surrounded by extroverts who require a lot of energy & it can feel draining. My best work & ideas come from when I’m solo, not in groups. All things this book helped me see as normal. However, I’m more than capable of acting like an extrovert and do small talk just fine.

So for my fellow introverts I leave you with this quote from the book - “If you’re an introvert, find your flow by using your gifts. You have the power of persistence, the tenacity to solve complex problems and the clear-sightedness to avoid pitfalls that trip others up.” [b:Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking|8520610|Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking|Susan Cain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328562861l/8520610._SY75_.jpg|13387396][a:Susan Cain|4101935|Susan Cain|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1315319296p2/4101935.jpg]

Great read. Short chapters that make it fly by and it’s as inspirational as it is instructional. I enjoyed this book much more than Eat, Pray, Love because it shared more of her thought-process and decision-making. I find her storytelling engaging and she tells her story in a fanciful way that engages readers while making you re-examine your own life.

“Creativity is sacred, and it’s not sacred. What we make matters enormously and it doesn’t matter at all. We are terrified and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Make space for all these paradoxes to be true. The treasures are hidden inside you, hoping you will say yes.” - [b:Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear|24453082|Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear|Elizabeth Gilbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451446242l/24453082._SY75_.jpg|44044797] ✨

The Color of Money: This book taught me, educated me, upset me and exposed me to so much! I love this book and what it did for me...what it does for us, for society. It exposes us to the real and honest implications of Jim Crow era laws that discriminated against, wore down and separated people by skin tone. The author did a phenomenal job of taking a complex problem, summarizing it, simplifying the laws and implications and then providing a road map for change.

It breaks down the policy and laws around money in the black and brown communities. Explains why banking black was/is so difficult, black Wall Street (there was more than one), housing policies, loans, etc. This book reads like a textbook so be prepared for lots of data, but even more prepared to be informed.

I really enjoyed this book! Recommended to me by a a friend who wanted me to understand the ups and downs of building a company and this book was eye-opening. It provides a realistic roadmap for what your journey will look like as an entrepreneur and what skills are necessary at each stage.

For anyone out there who has a side hustle or main hustle I recommend - it helped me understand that just because I launch Thing A doesn’t mean it won’t turn out as Thing D after making changes.

This book covers the life of a trans-gender woman, her obstacles and wins throughout life- personally and in politics. The book stretched my perspective and brought me to tears a few times from dealing with grief.

Having recently gone through loss, I felt an emotional connection to her stories on loss and grief. It is part biography, part letter to others who relate to her experiences, and part letter to allies.