Hiding in the Bathroom: An Introvert’s Roadmap to Getting out There (When You’d Rather Stay Home)

In this riveting look at redefining personal approaches to work, Aarons-Mele, a marketing expert and self-described hermit, shares her experience “faking {her} way” and working through her tendency toward introversion. Her book is aimed at anyone whose “constant companion” is anxiety. Aarons-Mele spells out her goal early on—to impart “strategies and concrete career-development and management tools” for managing anxiety—and delivers from the start. The book, bolstered with helpful tools including quizzes and worksheets, covers topics from “setting your vision” to developing a “strong digital brand” to managing a work-life “fit,” rather than balance. The author’s attention-grabbing headlines and subheads relating to common business manual topics—“What If You Only Gave 89 Percent?”; “Saying No Well”; “Is Managing My Social Network Slimy?”—keep the pace quick, while her willingness to share illustrative personal experiences, both good and bad, adds vivid color to the strategies she shares. The book concludes with the author’s gentle and encouraging reminder that introversion and anxiety “are not weaknesses” but can “be the keys to your strength and success as a businessperson.” [em]Agent: Lorin Rees, Rees Literary Agency. (Sept.) [/em]