Overview:

 

Jennifer Soldner’s A Look Inside a Rare Mind centers on the author’s personal journal of self-discovery as an INFJ, one of the sixteen

Myers Briggs Personality Types. She writes with the intent of helping other INFJs understand themselves better. Admittedly, Soldner

has no experience or expertise in the topic, apart from, of course, being an INFJ and starting the blog INFJ Anonymous. Most of her information comes from first-hand experience, as well as the reports of other INFJs. The book contains 197 pages of pure self-discovery, which most INFJs will easily relate to. Be warned: if you consider yourself an INFJ, you might at times wonder if someone accidently

published your diary instead of Soldner’s.

 

 

Insights: 3 out of 5 stars

 

Well, if this book has anything, it has raw emotions. Some of the material lacks credibility and it basically centers on the author’s own emotions, but, hey, her INFJ audience possesses the key function of feeler (F). If her target audience consisted of any of the thinking (T) personality types, this book’s insights would basically equal squat. Yet her audience consists of INFJs, so I applaud her. INFJs love

raw discovery like the cookie monster loves his cookies (it’s practically a given). You could probably find some of this information on the Internet through blogs, including hers, but Soldner’s book takes the self-discovery to a whole new level.

 

 

Readability: 2 out of 5 stars

 

Her book reads like a diary because you could basically consider it one. Most diaries lack editors, and this published book almost reads that way. (Imagine having an editor stand over your shoulder while writing in your journal. Like, excuse me miss, you missed a comma there, and I agree that Joey has a wild crush on you.) Also, the book lacks clear organization of the material because subheadings and sections are missing. Soldner’s book certainly follows the pattern of a journal in both of these instances. Although, to her credit, I never noticed any glaring grammatical issues. (Can commas glare?)

 

 

Value to Price: 4 out of 5 stars

 

I paid $2.99 on Amazon for the e-book. Considering the book contains almost 200 hundred pages, that adds up to basically $1.50 per one hundred pages. When you compare the fairly inexpensive pricing to the content, I would suggest that the read is worth the price. Of course, keep in mind that e-books cost significantly less than hard copies, so the price will increase if you want an actual copy in your hands (which I completely understand). In that case, you might want to think twice about forking out the money for this book.

 

 

Customer Reaction: 3.7 out of 5 stars

 

Amazon gives Soldner’s book 3.7 out of 5 stars. One reviewer said the following: “[Her book is] a portrait of how an insecure, moderately-theory-savy INFJ goes about trying to justify what she is to herself. If, however, you are looking for a more technical or objective self-reflection on the why and how behind an INFJ’s inner workings, this may not be the book for you.” As already mentioned, this customer 

highlights that the worth of the book depends on the reader. Another customer says that he/she “highly recommended” the book, explaining that “each section is a quick and easy read” and the material proves insightful. Overall, the customers who have lower reviews based their reflection on the content not matching up with their expectations; however, many customers enjoyed the material when they expected a more introspective, journal-like, I-love-puppies type of book.

 

 

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

 

After considering all the factors, Soldner’s book earns 3 out of 5 stars. Some may rate her book higher, some lower, as it depends on the reader’s expectations for picking up the book. If you start reading Harry Potter with expectations of a real-life, practical, and boring story, you will most likely end up not enjoying the series (I know, blasphemy!). Similarly, don’t buy this book with the sole goal of reading an objective, scientific book on the INFJ type; you will end up with the opposite. Soldner’s book, much like Harry Potter, focuses on a “you’re a wizard, Harry” kind of moment from a very personal, individual point of view. Soldner, just like any true INFJ, seeks understanding through writing. Thus, Soldner’s A Look Inside a Rare Mind helps both herself and other INFJs understand and accept themselves in a 

personal and emotional manner.