Hey, Bookworms!

I’m Stephy, the person behind The Creative Muggle! I live in the Belgian countryside, and these days, you’ll almost always find me with a book in hand or an audiobook playing.

Think of me as your bosom friend, just like Anne Shirley and Diana Barry. I’m always happy to talk about books and help you find your next read.

But here’s something you might not expect. I wasn’t always a big reader.

How I Became a Bookworm

stephy, the creative muggle

The first book I remember really enjoying was a Malayalam translation of The Count of Monte Cristo. I loved the story, and the characters stayed with me for years.

You’d think that would have turned me into a lifelong reader. Nope!

I went on to study English Literature, which meant reading plenty of Dickens, Shakespeare, and Thomas Hardy.

But back then, I mostly read to pass my exams.

I still remember reading Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy and wondering, “Why does he need so many words to describe Christmas Eve?”

I can laugh about that now because I’ve grown to appreciate those long descriptions in classic books.

stephy, Belgium, library

The Year Everything Changed

In 2017, I moved to Belgium.

For a while, I spent most of my free time watching YouTube. My bookshelf had a few dictionaries collecting dust, and reading wasn’t exactly on my mind.

Then I started taking Dutch classes.

As part of learning the language, I began visiting my local library. My Dutch wasn’t great, but I enjoyed browsing the shelves and bringing books home.

Before I knew it, those library visits became a regular thing.

And somehow, I ended up reading 103 books that year!

Not bad for someone who used to wonder why Thomas Hardy needed so many words to describe Christmas Eve.

goodreads, the creative muggle

Why I Started The Creative Muggle

I know what it’s like to want to read more but have no idea where to start.

That’s one of the reasons I created The Creative Muggle.

Here, I share honest book reviews, reading lists, audiobook recommendations, and books I think are worth your time.

I read a little bit of everything, but historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and a good feel-good novel are some of my favorites.

And if you’re someone who hasn’t picked up a book in years, I hope my story encourages you to give reading another try.

After all, I didn’t become a real bookworm until my late twenties.

And now, here I am, running a book blog and talking about books every chance I get!

If you’re looking for something good to read, I’ve got plenty of recommendations to share. Here are a few reader favorites:

25 Books Every Women Should Read At Least Once

9 Books Just As Good As Everyone Says

12 Must-Read Fiction Books So Good You’ll Think About Them Forever

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find your next favorite book here!