Join us for our November BFF Book Club as we welcome author Callie Murray to discuss her historical fiction novel, The Brunswick! Inspired by the remarkable true story of a couple who helped bring 50 Jewish children to America before World War II, The Brunswick explores courage, sacrifice, foster care, and what it truly means to be family.
Callie shares how a simple Google search uncovered the historical inspiration for her novel, the fascinating local stories she discovered during her research, and how writing this book began as a personal challenge to see if she could complete a novel. In an incredible twist of life, Callie wrote this novel before she and her husband began their own foster care journey, which would eventually bring four more children into their family. We also chat about the surprises of historical research, the joys and challenges of writing, and why becoming an author has forever changed the way she reads.
Episode Highlights:
The incredible WWII rescue story that inspired The Brunswick.
Surprising discoveries about American perspectives on Europe in the 1930s.
How historical fiction allows writers to explore personal experiences through fictional characters.
Writing about foster care before beginning her own family's journey.
Why Callie prefers editing and revising over writing a first draft.
The unexpected ways writing has changed her relationship with reading.
Callie's book flight featuring WWII historical fiction set in unexpected places.
Connect with Callie:
📚 Next Meet the Author Book Club - Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts
🗓️ Dec 6th | 🕓 3 pm PST / 5 pm CST / 6 pm EST
When holiday chaos, family drama, and unexpected twists threaten Christmas plans, a group of women learns that sometimes the messiest holidays create the most meaningful memories. Register Here.
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
Steps by John Ortberg
Book Flight
The Last Green Valley / Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton & Tosca Lee
Dessert Pairing
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Episode Sponsor - The Future Lab with Lee Schneider
The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.
Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:
One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity
Three books. One common theme.
→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily
