Shyness

Many people assume a bashful child will grow into a withdrawn adult, but this book pushes back on that idea. Shy children, it argues, are not fated to remain shy, and shyness is not the same thing as low self-esteem.

Rather than treating shyness as a sickness, a personality shortfall, or a moral failing, the book presents it as a normal part of being human. Its view widens further when it notes that shyness is not limited to people. Scientists have studied shy cattle, cats, fish and dogs. Among people, it points out, many of the world's most famous, wealthy, clever and brave individuals are shy.

Written by Bernardo J. Carducci, PhD, this is a psychology book about a trait that many readers will recognize in themselves or in others.