4 Funny Illustrated Books that Perfectly Capture the Introvert Life

These books will help you celebrate your own introversion, or they make great gifts for the introverts in your life.

As an introvert with social anxiety, I am always looking for ways to escape into a less chaotic world.

I think I speak for many introverts when I say that, for us, “chaos” can mean everything from unnecessary social interaction to making small talk — and let’s not forget phone calls, which can be utterly terrifying (please, please send me a text instead).

And, when you combine introversion and social anxiety, certain things are more challenging than others, like seeing friends or family. It’s not like I don’t want to see them, but anxiety likes to take over and makes me afraid or self-conscious to be around them: What if I say the wrong thing? What if I’m put on the spot? Why is everyone looking at me?!

As a result, I’m always looking for ways to recharge my social battery, and I’ve found that sinking into books helps me break free.

Of course, all introverts have their go-to methods to relax when our worlds get too “peopley” and overwhelming, and reading may not be for everybody. But thankfully there are a few hilarious illustrated books that capture the true essence of being a wallflower in a world that seems full of extroverts.

If you’re an introvert, book lover or not, you’ll definitely relate to these illustrated books and laugh out loud saying, “OMG — that is so me!”

Illustrated Books That Capture the Introvert Life

1. Text, Don’t Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life

the cover of Text Don't Call by INFJoe — Credit: *Text, Don’t Cal*l

If you are an introvert who prefers texting over calling, it is one of the many reasons why you should read Text, Don’t Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life, by INFJoe.

As an introvert, I loathe phone calls and I’m sure many other introverts do, too. With my social anxiety, phone anxiety/phone phobia is a major part of it, which means I get a mini panic attack whenever I see my phone ring or have to make a call. (Please just text since I’ll watch my phone ring till you stop calling and then return to texting you, completely ignoring the fact that you called.)

a comic about INFJoe making an appointment over the phone — Credit: *Text, Don’t Call*

The book will also teach you ways to survive in a highly extroverted world, and the illustrations reflect the problems introverts tend to face at the workplace, social gatherings, parties, or just about anywhere with lots of people.

a comic about INFJoe, an introvert, wanting to finish his book and skip the party — Credit: *Text, Don’t Call*

Introverts are not that complicated really — most of us love deep, meaningful conversations over small talk.

an INFJoe comic about small talk being distracting — Credit: *Text, Don’t Call*

Overall, the book will make you feel less alone: just because introverts like me want minimal interaction (or no interaction at all), does not make us weird or as though we’re another species.

Basically, INFJoe’s book says everything I’m thinking, and I hope you’ll be able to relate, too. Click here to buy it on Amazon.

2. Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World by Debbie Tung book cover — Credit: *Quiet Girl in a Noisy World*

Deciding between a board game party or sipping tea in solitude? I think that’s a no-brainer for most introverts. And that’s where Debbie Tung’s Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story comes in. It’ll give you a warm fuzzy feeling when you read it and is truly a gem for all the amazing introverts who are also highly sensitive.

a Debbie Tung comic about an introvert's guide to fashion — Credit: *Quiet Girl in a Noisy World*

The book illustrates Tung’s experiences as she steps into adulthood. From socializing and dating in her final year of college to falling in love with an extrovert, finding a job, and getting married, Tung depicts her journey as an introvert through her sweet and funny cartoons.

a Debbie Tung comic about a party being canceled — Credit: *Quiet Girl in a Noisy World*

As introverts, I think a lot of us want reassurance that it’s perfectly normal if we want to spend more time alone than, say, an extrovert friend — and Tung reminds us that it’s perfectly OK.

a Debbie Tung comic about reading a new book — Credit: *Quiet Girl in a Noisy World*

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story is a must-read for you or any introvert in your life. It’ll help you with self-discovery, as well as embracing your introversion. If you prefer staying at home with your pet over socializing because you love their company more, then this is the right book for you. Click here to buy it on Amazon.

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3. Introvert Doodles: An Illustrated Look at Introvert Life in an Extrovert World

Introvert Doodles by Maureen Marzi Wilson book cover — Credit: *Introvert Doodles*

Maureen “Marzi” Wilson’s Introvert Doodles: An Illustrated Look at Introvert Life in an Extrovert World does exactly what its title promises.

I strongly feel that introverts and extroverts can be great friends, as I have friends who are extroverts, and honestly, I think I have learned (or at least think I learned) a thing or two from them on how to not be awkward in social gatherings.

Both introverts and extroverts will enjoy reading this book, as it illustrates how having extroverts as friends creates a balance in an introvert’s life. It also shows what it means for extroverts to have introverts in their lives and how they can make it easier for us “quiet ones” to be our authentic selves around them.

an Introvert Doodles comic about being uninvited to a party — Credit: *Introvert Doodles*

Plus, the hysterical doodles on introversion and social anxiety will make you believe that you are not alone in this extroverted world.

an Introvert Doodles comic about an introvert being told to try harder — Credit: *Introvert Doodles*

Introvert Doodles: An Illustrated Look Introvert Life in an Extrovert World is for all those who constantly find themselves in socially awkward situations and make excuses to get away, like being busy with work just to miss an event (but in reality, we’re staying home and completing movie marathons with our pets).

an Introvert Doodles comic about an introvert's dream house — Credit: *Introvert Doodles*

Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or have social anxiety, you should definitely add this book to your reading list. Click here to buy it on Amazon.

4. The Escape Manual for Introverts

The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz book cover — Credit: *The Escape Manual for Introverts*

The Escape Manual for Introverts, by Katie Vaz, does absolute justice to its name. The book is divided into five different relationships — friends, relatives, co-workers, acquaintances, and strangers — and shows you how to “escape” social situations you are put in by each relationship.

How do you do so? Just follow Vaz’s graph, “Plausibility of Excuse Absurdity,” which tells you whether your excuses to escape a situation sound legit or made up.

the Plausiblity of Excuse Absurdity graph — Credit: *The Escape Manual for Introverts*

For someone like me who has made many absurd excuses to get out of a situation, I think this graph is very useful. After all, we may wish to be like Phoebe from Friends and escape, saying, “I wish I could, but I don’t want to” — but let’s face it, many of us probably chicken out.

a comic about having a book club by yourself — Credit: *The Escape Manual for Introverts*

Vaz also illustrates different scenarios within each relationship and walks you through the entire process of how to escape them without hurting your loved ones’ feelings (because it does get tricky with friends and family).

a comic about avoiding chatty coworkers at lunch — Credit: *The Escape Manual for Introverts*

I think The Escape Manual for Introverts will resonate with any introvert who has ever needed to flee a situation and been in need of a decent excuse to do so. It’s funny, short, and filled with escape plans — need I say more? Click here to buy it on Amazon.

I hope you get your hands on at least one of these amazing books, if not all of them, and learn to celebrate your introversion, just like I did. They also make great birthday or holiday gifts for the introverts in your life!

There are many other introvert-themed illustrated books by the same authors, and other authors, too, which explain introversion through humorous illustrations, but these are my personal favorites. Hopefully, they’ll become yours, too.

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