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You Took All the Personality Quizzes. Now What? Read Reading People.

August 30, 2017

I’ve never met a personality quiz that I didn’t want to take. I’m an INTJ Slytherin Questioner. I am an Escapist Reader. My love language is Acts of Service. I’m an Enneagram 1 (a perfectionist – SHOCKING). The list goes on and on.

Typically, if there is an answer that indicates crazy ambitious (or perhaps cunning?), I’m going to get that one. I own it. (Yeah, Slytherin was hard at first. I thought from a Buzzfeed quiz that I was going to end up in Ravenclaw. Nope. Pottermore totally saw through that.)

Once I know about these categories, I want to know exactly what that means and how I relate to all the things.

(And we’re about to start a book review. All Amazon links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my link, I will receive a small commission to fund my book habit.) 

Imagine my delight when my very good (completely one-sided) friend Anne Bogel announced that she was writing a book called Reading People. It’s about how to use all of those personality results. Yeah, signed up for that pre-order on Amazon right away. Then, I got the chance to read it early as a part of Anne’s Launch Team. And I’m dusting off ye olde blog to participate in the blog tour.

My Reading People Review

And, because I like to keep things tidy, we’ll use the same review format I always use.

First, here’s the blurb.

If the viral Buzzfeed-style personality quizzes are any indication, we are collectively obsessed with the idea of defining and knowing ourselves and our unique place in the world. But what we’re finding is this: knowing which Harry Potter character you are is easy, but actually knowing yourself isn’t as simple as just checking a few boxes on an online quiz.

For readers who long to dig deeper into what makes them uniquely them (and why that matters), popular blogger Anne Bogel has done the hard part–collecting, exploring, and explaining the most popular personality frameworks, such as Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Enneagram, and others. She explains to readers the life-changing insights that can be gained from each and shares specific, practical real-life applications across all facets of life, including love and marriage, productivity, parenting, the workplace, and spiritual life. In her friendly, relatable style, Bogel shares engaging personal stories that show firsthand how understanding personality can revolutionize the way we live, love, work, and pray.

Why Did I Want to Read Reading People?

Because I’m me, let’s make a list:

  • Right now, Anne Bogel and Cat at Reader Eater are tied for having the most influence on my reading life. I am completely obsessed with Anne’s podcast, What Should I Read Next. I mean, I’m doing a WSIRN challenge to keep me occupied this fall. I have imaginary interviews with Anne all of the time, telling her three books I love, one book I hate and what I’m reading now.
  • I am obsessed with personality quizzes. I’ve never seen Game of Thrones, but I know from a Buzzfeed quiz that I am Daenerys. It means nothing to me, but I still need that categorization. Buzzfeed, collect my data and tell me everything about me.
  • When I read non-fiction, I usually do take the time to implement what I learned. I love the idea of figuring out how to work all of the different things I know about my personality.
  • The cover is very pretty.

Did I Like Reading People?

This is a solid five stars from me. In each chapter, Anne walks through different personality frameworks and how understanding your results can help you in your life. Whether it is for your relationship, as a parent or even in your faith.

I don’t feel boxed in by my personality; instead, understanding myself has taught me how to open the box and step out of it.

–Reading People

Here are the frameworks she analyzes.

Introverts and Extroverts

I don’t think it is a surprise that I am an introvert. For years, I used my introversion as an excuse. Oh, I’m not good at networking because I’m an introvert. Within the past year, I called myself on my BS. After doing some self-study on introversion and reading this book, I realize that, for me, it’s all about how I manage that introversion. I have a much easier time extraverting now that I know myself a bit better and can plan time to recharge when I am in big-group situations. (Hence, you may see me hiding in a corner at a conference with my Kindle.)

Highly Sensitive People

A few years ago, my friend Stef sent me an article on how to tell if you are HSP and it described so many aspects of my personality. Now, I don’t feel as guilty that I hate horror movies and can’t handle graphic depictions of violence in books. It’s part of how I’m wired. If you are an HSP or you live with an HSP, this section will be incredibly helpful for you.

The Five Love Languages

I originally heard about the love languages book at a blogging conference and read it when I got home. I think this framework is so important for relationships. I am Acts of Service 100%. My secondary language is probably gifts because I really like sending people little surprises that I know they will like.

If you and your spouse speak different love languages, it can definitely cause strife. Reading People will give you some tips and tricks to dealing with each of the five love languages. (Apparently I need more foot rubs. I approve!)

Keirsey’s Temperaments

I have never heard of Keirsey’s Temperaments. It’s based on your MBTI (see below) and for me, none of them felt 100% right. It definitely didn’t align with my MBTI.

(And, friends, that’s okay. Not every framework will work for everyone. It’s all about knowing yourself better and enhancing your life with that knowledge.)

MBTI

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is my favorite. I took the test in a trial advocacy class in law school. I was an ENTJ then. I’m an INTJ now. (I suspect that the E at the time was probably on the cusp.) This is my favorite framework and it has taught me so much about myself.

Except I share a personality type with Walter White and Putin. (Remember when I said I was ambitious?)

The MBTI Cognitive Functions

This section was my favorite piece of the book. I have never read about the MBTI Cognitive Functions that make up the basis for the MBTI types. Absolutely fascinating and it can help you really dive into your type even more.

The Clifton StrengthsFinder

I took StrengthsFinder a few years ago and they say not to retake it, so I haven’t. My top strengths are Strategic, Achiever, Relator, Competition, and Significance.

How on earth did I ever doubt I am Slytherin?

The Enneagram

When I read the book, the Enneagram was the test I knew the least about. Now I am fascinated and plan to learn all the things.

The Enneagram pinpoints not our weaknesses but our motivations – the underlying reasons that drive everything we do.

–Reading People

I am an Enneagram 1, which is all about perfectionism. Not surprising at all. It’s been really interesting to dive into the ways that it impacts my life and how I can help myself when I get stuck.

Then what?

What I loved most about Reading People is that Anne walks you through the frameworks, but the goal is really to help you understand what it means for you and how you fit into the world. Anne offers great insights and offers stories on how knowing her personality helped her in so many ways.

Learning more about personality has helped me make peace with the way I was made (even though some days I’d rather trade myself in for a different model).

–Reading People

Who Else Will Like Reading People?

Don’t worry – you don’t have to be a personality quiz lover like me. Although, warning, you may become one by the time you are done reading. This book is structured so that you can dive into the information that most interests you.

We all live in the first person. I experience the world through my eyes; we all do. But each of these personality frameworks, when used thoughtfully, gives me eyes to see the world from someone else’s point of view for a little while.

–Reading People

And one more quote to send us off:

They’re not crazy; they’re just not us. They are hardwired differently than we are, and personality insights explain why and how.

–Reading People

Pre-Order Bonuses

The book comes out on September 19, 2017. If you pre-order, you can get the audio version for free when the book is released and access to Anne’s class, What’s Your Reading Personality. (I’m an escapist, which surprised no one.) The class includes recommendations for your reading type.

Go to Amazon or wherever else you buy your books. Then go to ReadingPeopleBook.com and enter the info. Get those pre-order bonuses!

And while you are on the Reading People site, take the quiz to see your reading personality!

Want to know more about Reading People by @annebogel? Check out this review.Click To Tweet

I hope you love Reading People as much as I do!

What Should I Read Next Inspired Book Challenge

August 1, 2017

In my Books with Big Feelings Challenge post, I discussed my recent reading slump. I decided to create two challenges for myself to complete before the end of the year.

In a post earlier this year, I also talked about my love of the What Should I Read Next podcast with Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy. I’m still a diehard listener and I love hearing Anne’s book matchmaking skills each week. (I’m also a recent addition to the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. Yeah, Anne Bogel has a lot of say in my reading life lately.) I’ve read a number of books based on her recommendations and have added a ton of others to my TBR list. Using some of the most notable seemed like a perfect challenge to help me through my book slump. And, since some of them are lighter fare, it will help balance out the ugly cries from the Books with Big Feeling Challenge. (Fingers crossed.)

Here are my What Should I Read Next Challenge selections.

All links to Amazon are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. 

Beartown by Frederik Backman

I’ve read three other Frederick Backman books and enjoyed them all. (A Man Called Ove was my favorite.) Anne has said this one is quite different, and I’m eager to read it.

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham

The description of this book was compelling and not like something I would typically pick for myself. But, I kept thinking about it, particularly the aspect of the race riots of the 20s and I grabbed it when it was on a Kindle sale. Now, time to read it.

Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery

This book is at the absolute top of the list for this challenge. First, Anne of Green Gables is my favorite book ever. Anne B. (as opposed to my beloved Anne Shirley) and many guests have talked about this one and some feel it is a better book than my favorite. (WHAT?? I don’t feel like that is possible.)

Second, I was considering joining the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club when I got an email from them with their fall selections and this was one of them. (Way to lure me in, Anne.)

Third, Emily’s last name is Starr. My middle name is Starr. It’s meant to be, people.

Can’t wait to read this.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

This book has been on both the love and hate list for WSIRN guests. I bought it during a Kindle sale and it has been untouched because I am afraid of it. (It involves the murder of a child and that requires a lot of mental prep for me.) But, I’m intrigued and I can do it.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

I am a proud Jersey girl living in Las Vegas, but I love southern fiction. (Except I hope they don’t mention okra. Yuck.) When I heard guests talk about this book, it made it onto the TBR.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

I first heard of this book from Cat, but then heard it mentioned on an episode of WSIRN. It’s a heavier topic than I would ever pick for myself, but I was sold when Anne and her guest talked about the audio version. It has an amazing cast, so time to wait for another Audible credit to come through.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Anne has described this one as great fun. Sold. I’m hoping this is an old-timey cupcake book. I’m going to need a light read after some of the other ones on this list.

My Life in France by Julia Child

This has been a favorite for a few guests on WSIRN. While I can’t cook at all, I love foodie memoirs. (And food. Please send snacks.) This book, I think, is the ultimate example of that genre.

My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

This one comes up time and time again on What Should I Read Next. I loved Olive Kitteridge, also by Elizabeth Strout, and there are so many raving fans. I have to give it a try.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

I don’t particularly love historical fiction; however, I do love a good comedy of manners. It sounds intriguing, so I’ll try it.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Another one that has been mentioned many times on the podcast. I’m not usually into dystopian themes, but I also don’t like space books and I really enjoyed The Martian after hearing about it on WSIRN.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

This book was mentioned on one of the first episodes of WSIRN that I listened to. It stayed with me. It’s free verse, young adult and involves basketball. So, totally what you expect from me, right? I don’t think I’ve ever read free verse, so I am excited for this one. Plus, it is so opposite of what I am typically drawn to.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Kate Morton gets a lot of mentions on What Should I Read Next. I originally had The Lake House this list and I asked for input from friends in my little Facebook group, The Booknerdiest. Maggie said that it wasn’t her favorite Kate Morton. I switched to The Secret Keeper when I saw that Anne ranks it as her favorite by the author.

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

Wasn’t this a mini series or something? I like to read good family sagas once in a while and this one sounds good. And long. Really, really long.

The Wife, The Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon

I think this was mentioned on Anne’s live episode. It sounds like juicy scandal with a judge, his wife and a showgirl. Gotta try it.

A book challenge inspired What Should I Read Next and @annebogelClick To Tweet

That’s it. Let the challenge begin.

Books with Big Feelings Reading Challenge

July 31, 2017

The background: I have now read 101 books in 2017. (Including a handful of audiobooks, which is new for me.) I read a lot of cupcake books. Books with heavier themes that may evoke emotional responses other than happiness scare me. I have to mentally prepare for them. I’ve been in a book slump and […]

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Book Review: The Perfect Find by Tia Williams

February 22, 2017

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All links to Amazon are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission.  As I’ve discussed, I’m on a quest to add more diversity in my book diet. I went on a quest in February to find some great romance books written by or featuring WOC. The Perfect Find is exactly […]

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Book Review: Results May Vary by Bethany Chase

February 17, 2017

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All links to Amazon are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission.  Over the summer, I didn’t really know what to do with myself after I finished my 40 before 40 list. Of course, I immediately finished the Harry Potter series, but after that, I had no clue what to […]

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2017 Reading Goals: Balance My Book Diet

February 15, 2017

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All links to Amazon are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I’ll make a small commission.  Mid-February is a perfectly fine time to announce my reading goals for 2017. Better late than never, right? Normally, at the beginning of each year, I set a goal for how many books I want to read. (This […]

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In Praise of Cupcake Books

February 13, 2017

All links to Amazon are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.  I talk about cupcake books a lot. When I ask people for recommendations, I often realize they have no clue what I mean. Seems that I should get specific and, since everyone loves a love story, talk […]

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Honeymoon Hotel: A Perfect Romance

February 6, 2017

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All Amazon links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission, which I use to purchase more books.  If you know anything about my reading life, you know that I love romance novels. I always say that if my favorite books were food, they’d be a vanilla cupcake with pink […]

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20 great podcasts for business, life, and the legal profession

January 31, 2017

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I was incredibly late to the podcast party. Everyone was talking about Serial and I was all, how do you work podcasts? I was convinced that I didn’t have enough time to listen to podcasts. Oh, I was so wrong about that. I realized that I had short pockets of time all over the place […]

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Rising Strong: Book Review

January 30, 2017

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This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you make a purchase using one of the links, I’ll receive a small commission. Which I’ll use to buy more books.  For my 40 before 40 book list, I read Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. I don’t read a ton of personal development books, but it resonated […]

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