I’m looking to buy my daughter some books for Christmas. She is an introverted person who is very smart but has difficulty engaging people and developing any type of relationships. She’s never had any friends and prefers to be by herself (outside of her family). That being said, I feel like I can’t send her off to college in a few years without giving her some tools to help her learn how to build some type of relationship. I’m hoping for some book recommendations about having conversations, listening, engaging, developing confidence, etc.
I appreciate any recommendations you may have for me

This post was edited on 12/3/25 at 7:40 pm

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Posted by TAMU-93

Sachse, TX

Member since Oct 2012

1172 posts

Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:23 pm to Bourre

As an introvert myself, I think Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking would be a brilliant selection for both you and your daughter. It could spark some really helpful conversations about how you both see the world.

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Posted by Bourre

Da Parish

Member since Nov 2012

23204 posts

Posted on 12/3/25 at 7:40 pm to TAMU-93

Thank you. Just ordered the kids version

This post was edited on 12/3/25 at 7:41 pm

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Posted by Adajax

Member since Nov 2015

8297 posts

Posted on 12/7/25 at 9:11 pm to Bourre

I don't know the first thing about this book but I saw it on Goodreads.

The Brave Introvert

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Posted by Alyosha

Member since Nov 2020

9914 posts

Posted on 12/7/25 at 9:14 pm to Bourre

Sophie’s World

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Posted by shspanthers

Nashville, TN

Member since Sep 2007

884 posts

Posted on 12/9/25 at 11:09 am to Bourre

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry wouldn't be a bad option, I don't think. Same guy that wrote A Man Called Ove.

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Posted by Tigersforthee

Member since Dec 2025

121 posts

Posted on 12/10/25 at 9:11 am to Bourre

All the Light We Cannot See

Not a self help book obviously but the story tends to focus on a blind girl and how she navigates the horrors of WW2. Excellent in every way.

This post was edited on 12/10/25 at 9:14 am

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Posted by 4cubbies

Member since Sep 2008

59277 posts

Posted on 12/13/25 at 10:06 pm to Bourre

Reading fiction has been consistently linked to the development of several key social and emotional skills that help people connect and relate to others. If she has a hard time connecting with people, I’d get her some novels. Another poster recommended a WW2 book, which made me think of The Book Thief. Might be one of my all time favorite books.

I googled it a 16 yo girl would like it and Google said
Yes, a 16-year-old girl would likely love The Book Thief.

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Posted by chity

Chicago, Il

Member since Dec 2008

6708 posts

Posted on 12/23/25 at 12:37 pm to Bourre

One of the best quotes I heard from a girl like your daughter was:

" you laugh at me because I am different, I laugh at you because you are all the same ".

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Posted by BogDaHOg

Member since Aug 2023

39 posts

Posted on 12/24/25 at 12:28 pm to chity

I think you'd find some comfort and companionship with Children of the Neon Bamboo

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Posted by GreenRockTiger

vortex to the whirlpool of despair

Member since Jun 2020

58842 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 9:53 pm to Bourre

I am way late but some of my favorite books when I was 16 was The Joy Luck Club and Les Miserables

Also, Wuthering Heights.

My older daughter read everything - she liked Eragon and the Series of Unfortunate Events.

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Posted by GenesChin

The Promise Land

Member since Feb 2012

37822 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 10:28 pm to Bourre

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. Easy read and enjoyable, has a full series and appropriate for teenager.

It is a good introduction to Brandon Sanderson who has an entire library of great novels that all interconnect

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