Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: One Introvert's Year of Saying Yes

By Jessica Pan

An introvert spends a year trying to live like an extrovert with hilarious results and advice for readers along the way. "Charming. Brave. Hilariously honest." --David Litt, New York Times-bestselling author of Thanks, Obama What would happen if a self-described "shintrovert" (part shy, part introvert, entirely committed to the sofa) 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 humorous memoir explores what happens when one introvert fights her natural tendencies, takes the plunge, and tries (and sometimes fails) to be a little bit braver. - A year-long real-life experiment in living more boldly - Honest reflections on introversion, anxiety, and loneliness - Perfect for fans of Quiet by Susan Cain, Yes Man by Danny Wallace, and The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes -- witty, warm, and deeply relatable - Encouragement for readers (introverted and otherwise) who want to challenge their own comfort zones - More than a self-help book -- Pan's "shintrovert" experiment is backed by real psychology, offering genuine insight into how fear and habit shape the lives we think we're stuck with - A funny, relatable, and highly readable perspective that respects introversion rather than trying to "fix" it Grounded in behavioral science and driven by sharp, self-deprecating humor, this is a book for anyone who has ever felt lonely in a crowded city, struggled to make friends after thirty, or wondered what they might be missing by always choosing the sofa.

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Published May 28, 2019

272 pages

Average rating: 6.36

109 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

ValerieRuiz
1/10 star
I'm Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan is a memoir that explores one introvert’s attempt to step outside her usual routine and try living like an extrovert for a year. Feeling stuck and disconnected, Jessica decides to challenge herself by saying "yes" to things she’d normally avoid—like performing stand-up comedy, attending networking events, striking up conversations with strangers, and traveling alone. I really wanted to like this book—mainly because the title is so catchy and relatable. I thought I’d be laughing, nodding along, and feeling seen as an introvert. But honestly? It just felt... meh. The book felt oddly disconnected. It’s framed as a memoir for introverts stepping out of their comfort zone, but as someone who actually is an introvert, I didn’t find it relatable. The experiences Jessica Pan took on—stand-up comedy, solo international travel, hosting big dinners—felt more like bold bucket list items than the everyday struggles of introversion. I kept thinking, “This isn’t the stuff I wrestle with—it’s just stuff I wouldn’t want to do.” It felt more like watching someone perform extroversion for content than genuinely exploring growth. There were a few funny or heartfelt moments, but overall, it lacked the emotional depth or insight I hoped for. It was quirky, yes, but also kind of surface-level. I couldn’t connect with her journey, and by the end, I wasn’t sure what the takeaway was supposed to be.
Gabriela-in-Amherst
8/10 stars
Hilarious. I could relate - until she did some seriously courageous things.
Gias_BookHaven
I thought this would be a more interesting and relevant book for myself. Not to say that I didn't relate to the book because I did. It's just that I didn't find anything that made me want to continue to read about her tying to wade through her struggles because a lot of them are things I am still facing. On top of that, I didn't find the narrative funny as I too am an shy introvert who knows a great deal about the London area so🤷🏾‍♀️
yerita
10/10 stars
A quick read. I loved the author's sense of humor, and how as an introvert it resonated with me as I've gone through similar struggles in my life. I wish I would have had this book handy 20 years ago. Great book to get some motivation to stop binge watching Netflix and attend a Trivia game at a random bar with strangers, and not even feel embarrassed when you realize you can't answer any of the questions and trivia is definitely not for you!
VanniBoo
8/10 stars
Inspiring! Jessica showed incredible bravery for someone in her situation. This book has shown me where I might have similar introvert tendencies in my life and how I can possibly go about improving myself.

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