LOVELL – Since the author of the book selected for September’s discussion lives in Lisbon, she was invited to participate in Lovell’s Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library book group last Monday recently.
Mary Callahan, author of “Memoirs of a Baby Stealer: Lessons I’ve Learned as a Foster Mother,” has been featured in many forums around the state, but she said this was her first appearance before a book group.
The book describes Callahan’s experiences with five children in Maine’s foster care system in the Department of Human Services. The title refers to the fact that foster parents join DHS in taking children away from their parents.
“It’s not just a novel. It’s all real,” said Corinne Allen of Harrison. “I’m very grateful she wrote the book and that she’s here in person to talk about it.”
The author said she hadn’t known what to expect at this first book group and that it was like meeting with a group of peers, of readers and writers with similar interests. “I’m a reader, too,” she said.
People wonder what it would take to get their own stories written, she said.
“I only write when I’m so fired up that I have no choice. Sitting at the computer isn’t real fun, but not to have written the book would have been like living next to a house where they were torturing animals and just ignoring it.”
Teri Perkins of Lovell said it was wonderful to have the author there, that it gave people the opportunity to talk about the book and ask questions on the spot.
Kathy Duggan also said she loved having the author at the discussion, that it made the whole thing so much more real.
“She was very inspiring and it was also inspiring to see other people’s passion about the issue. She’s so determined to make a difference for kids.
“Some people write books for money or fame, but it’s evident she writes from her passion about the issue. Having her there made me more aware and concerned about the issue.”
Librarian Anna Romer said she found people’s stories fascinating and felt very fortunate that the author could be there in person to answer questions.
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