There are book clubs who have discussed Dr. Beare’s Daughter. While I’m thrilled that people are talking about my story, I wish I could listen to what they’re saying.
Today I had my chance when the book club I belong to discussed my book. I was relishing the idea of sitting quietly in the corner like a mouse and listening in. While the thing I most wanted to know was their reactions to my story, they had things that they wanted to ask me. They kept the questions coming: Was I still a practicing Catholic? Was growing up adopted truly different than if I’d been my parent’s biological child? Their questions got me going and once I got on a topic, it was hard to stop. I found myself discussing adoption, nature vs nurture, and the concept of free will. I guess it’s true, what my mother said of me when I was little, “Janice, sometimes I think you were born with a phonograph needle stuck in your throat.” I came away from the meeting thinking that I still don’t know when to shut up and listen.
If I’d kept my answers brief, and asked them questions, I would have learned so much more about their thoughts on my book! However, they did tell me that they related to many parts of my story, and at the end, they applauded. I wasn’t prepared for that–I was just being my mouthy self, and they applauded! The affirmation I felt was tremendous.