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I am pretty familiar with what I like and how I want things done. I have preferences about almost everything, even if I don’t realize it because I think my way is obviously the ‘normal’ way. But we all do that. It’s easy to assume we’re thinking the same way when actually our unique brains and personalities can cause us to think very differently.

So we’re all different, but now what? And why does it matter?

This book, Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Anne Bogel, has all the answers and the easiest introduction to personality systems that I have ever seen. Instead of reading stacks of material or page after page online, you can just read one book to give you the basics of a variety of different systems. Which is really helpful, even if you think you already know a lot about specific personality systems (we’re not snobs here, just nerds).

There’s a chapter each for Introverts/Extroverts, HSP, love languages, Keirsey’s Temperaments, Myers Briggs, Cognitive Functions, StrengthsFinder, and the Enneagream.  All throughout this book I found helpful ideas, thought provoking personal stories from the author, and entertaining examples from literature – because who doesn’t love typing their favorite characters?

I’d never heard of the Keirsey’s temperaments (related to Myers Briggs somehow), but here’s a little of what Anne Bogel had to say about Idealists (me).  I thought it perfect to include, since I’m here to sell you on a personality book all nerdy and inspired-like ;)

“Idealists adore metaphors and have a penchant for hyperbole. They are extremely good at putting themselves in someone else’s shoes. They are sensitive to nuance and good readers of body language and facial expression. They trust their intuition, their first impressions, and their feelings. As a group, they’re generally positive, highly emotional, and prone to wishful thinking.

Idealists believe everyone is unique and special in their own way. It’s true that Idealists probably see themselves as special snowflakes, but the truth is they see you as one too. This is why out of all the temperaments, Idealists are most likely to go gaga over personality typing of any sort. They are fascinated by identity and devoted to pursuing, identifying, and understanding their own. They need to understand themselves and strive to understand others as well.” (Bogel, Reading People. p105)

So if you’re curious about personality typing systems, but don’t where to start, this is your shortcut to understanding you and your people better:  Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything.  I love it. I especially love the literary examples from fellow booknerd, Anne. And I love the brief overview of all the different systems of personality typing. Easiest personality intro ever.

For me, I’m an INFJ, One, Introvert, Idealist, HSP.  But I’m inspired to dig into the Enneagram more, because I still have so many questions and I enjoy it.

What about you? What caught your eye? What are you nerding out on?

I’d love to hear!

Find me most often on Instagram!

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Bonus Content!

• More books to investigate: HSP-> The Highly Sensitive Person, Introvert/extrovert -> Quiet, Enneagram -> The Road Back to You.
• A kid-centered personality/parenting book I recently read: Raising Your Spirited Child.
• Podcasts to try- Typology by Ian Morgan Cron and What Should I Read Next by Anne Bogel

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((Baker Books provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. And just so you know: Amazon Associates program is my $10/year jam.))