Sorry I'm Late I Didnt Want To Come
A Lovingly Awkward Leap Outside the Comfort Zone
If you’ve ever found solace in NOT attending a party, or if you silently exhale relief when plans get canceled, then Jessica Pan’s memoir "Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come" is likely going to feel like a comforting hug wrapped in relatable, laugh-out-loud storytelling.
This charming non-fiction adventure documents the author’s year-long dare to herself—a commitment to live “extrovertedly” after feeling stuck in the comfortable but isolating cocoon of her introverted self. Through witty prose and refreshingly honest moments, Pan invites readers into her world of social anxiety, awkward encounters, and eventually, surprising triumphs. Think Eat, Pray, Love but with more small talk and stage fright.
Real Fear Meets Real Fun
What makes this book so compelling is how Pan tackles the terrifyingly awkward aspects of socializing—public speaking, making friends as an adult, even trying stand-up comedy—with courage and a razor-sharp sense of humor. The way she details her anxious mental loops before each encounter is both hilarious and heartbreakingly honest. Somehow, she makes panic attacks sound poetic, if not incredibly funny in hindsight.
But it's not just a comedy of social errors. There's real growth here. Readers witness how saying “yes” to human connection—messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming—can lead to confidence, new friendships, thrilling experiences, and self-discovery.
A Book for Introverts, Ambiverts & Everyone In-Between
"Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come" isn’t just a feel-good book. It’s a relatable manifesto for anyone who’s ever wondered what life might be like if they stopped saying no. For introverts, it resonates deeply. For extroverts, it offers rare insight into how the other half lives—and feels—a valuable perspective.
Jessica Pan’s writing is breezy yet introspective, wise yet self-deprecating. It’s the literary equivalent of chatting with your funniest, most emotionally intelligent friend over coffee—if that friend was also actively avoiding group karaoke night.
Final Thoughts
This memoir is a must-read for anyone teetering on the edge of their comfort zone, anyone who’s said, “I can’t,” then wondered, “What if I tried?” And if nothing else, it might just inspire you to strike up a conversation you were planning to avoid. Or not—no pressure.
Grab a copy, cancel your plans, and dive into this delightful reminder that life begins where your RSVP hesitations end.