Introverted. Overstimulated. Living life between the pages.
At a Glance
- 📍 Western NY
- 📚 Lifelong bookworm with shelves full of fiction, nonfiction, and everything in between
- 🙃 Hardcore introvert, always seeking the quiet corner (and avoiding small talk)
- 👦 Boy mom ×2, outnumbered and surviving on snacks, snark, and sarcasm
- 🥤 Runs on Diet Coke and chocolate
- 🧠 Constantly overthinking, overwhelmed, and overly anxious — with a side of social avoidance
Hey there! I’m Steph, an introverted boy mom of two from Western New York who would almost always rather be reading (and sipping Diet Coke between chapters). I have a bunch of random interests (and a life that’s a little messy), but books have always been where I find my calm in the chaos, my constant through it all.
A lifelong reader and writer, I’ve always loved learning. With a Bachelor’s in English Lit and a Master’s in Library Science, I spent years as a public librarian before trading the stacks for a cubicle in public health — because sometimes even book nerds crave a plot twist and a better work-life balance (fewer weekend shifts, less people).
As a serious introvert, I live for quiet moments and alone time. Socializing? Let’s just say I’m better with a book than small talk. I also struggle with chaos, noise, sensory overload, and a healthy dose of perpetual awkwardness, which is why I keep a book (and earbuds) handy at all times: essential gear for an easily overstimulated bookworm on the quest for quiet.
I've always carried a noisy mind: tangled thoughts, quiet worries, and endless questions. It rarely slows down, and with anxiety and depression in the mix, the world can sometimes feel overwhelming. But reading has always been a safe place to land when the world feels too loud, too heavy, or a little too messy.
When I’m not lost in a story, you’ll find me jamming to country music, hoarding chocolate I don’t have to share, catching the latest musical at the theater, or even budgeting (for fun!).
I'm stubborn to my core, with the spooky spirit of a Halloqueen, the precision of a grammar snob, and the soul of a nap evangelist. I'm not built for concerts, group chats, or loud people, but I am great at spotting typos and spiraling by 10 am. I take personal space seriously, defend the Oxford comma like it's my job, and don't do hugs, crowds, or unnecessary eye contact.
I live for fall and wish it was October all year long. Give me crunchy leaves, spooky vibes, and pumpkin everything, 24/7. I stay creepy year round thanks to a lifelong obsession with Halloween, all things horror, and true crime (that I absolutely will investigate like it's a cold case on my desk).
I’m also obsessed with antiques, primitives, and home decor. I’m forever daydreaming of one day owning an old farmhouse out in the country, with a huge front porch and acres of land. A slower, simpler, cozier life, with creaky floors, flickering candles, and shelves full of books.
Stories by Stephanie, originally founded in 2009 as Steph the Bookworm, is where I share my musings on motherhood, messiness, and my life between books — all while chasing that next chapter (and another Diet Coke).
Messy life. Quiet moments. Really good books.