The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz- Feature and Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Feeling cornered at a wedding reception by gossipy guests? Stuck at a holiday party that lasts forever? This beautifully illustrated book is the ultimate funny, sometimes absurd guide to escaping those painfully awkward situations. 

Trapped in an airplane seated next to a chatterbox? Are you hosting a dinner party with people who just won't leave? Katie Vaz has the key to your escape. The Escape Manual for Introverts guides readers through different scenarios with themed chapters ("Friends," "Relatives," "Strangers," etc.). Each chapter covers a range of situations, from an invitation to karaoke night to group lunchtime. And she offers a number of escapes for each scenario: bringing odoriferous foods to lunch for a while, having a pet (real or imagined) that "requires" frequent check-ins, and even investing in a jet pack. This book features Vaz's full-page illustrated spreads, hand-lettering, and spot illustrations. From the silly to the sincere, Vaz's clever, hilarious escape plans and bizarre excuses speak to the introvert in all of us.

READ AN EXCERPT:





MY REVIEW:


The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz is a 2019 Andrews McMeel Publishing release.

A constructive, comical, and applicable guide for all introverts!

Anyone following my reviews has probably heard me allude to my being an introvert. I’m not just an introvert- but an extreme introvert- I also LIKE being an introvert. Extroverts tend not to understand that, so I’ve read several books on how to bridge the gap or cope in an extroverted world.

This book does a fine job of giving those who find themselves in overwhelming social situations a way out without looking anti-social or rude. Some of these suggestions are a bit outlandish, but most are quite plausible.

My one complaint, though, is that the book is listed as a graphic novel. I’ll have to agree to disagree on that point, since I’d call it a self -help book with graphics included, since it is mostly written in black and white text. The 'graphic novel' description is used fast and loose and I think it's misleading.

Although I was a bit irritated that the graphics weren’t quite as advertised, the artwork is a nice addition, even though it is a bit simplistic.

While some folks might look at the antics suggested in the book as over the top, truth be told, I’ve actually done many of the things the author suggested. The great thing is these suggestions help one plan and execute the escape with grace and aplomb.

Naturally, the book is also funny, and very relatable for the introvert- but It might also help extroverts gain a better understanding of how we think and how the stress of ‘peopling’ makes us feel.

I think these tips will be especially useful at this time of year when the holidays present a slew of social invitations and family gatherings, which are very stressful, and invade one’s quiet alone time.

The book is short, easy to read, and while some of it is a bit exaggerated at times. it is also very entertaining- and most of the tips are quite useful and I will certainly make use of them.

Overall, this is a fun, little book all introverts will find helpful and enjoyable!

GET YOUR COPY HERE:

https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Manual-Introverts-Katie-Vaz-ebook/dp/B07S29FLWZ/


https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-escape-manual-for-introverts-katie-vaz/1129827622


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katie Vaz is an illustrator and hand-letterer based in Binghamton, New York. She designs her own line of greeting cards, prints, and other stationery products, which are sold both online on her Etsy Shop (www.katievaz.etsy.com) and in brick and mortar shops across North America. Katie also works as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer on a variety of branding, illustration, web design, print, and packaging projects. She studied graphic design (BFA) at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY and integrated design (MA) at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Dessau, Germany. Katie is particularly bad at talking about her feelings, so she creates art that can do it for her.