Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

I will be giving away three copies of this book. See instructions to enter at the end of this post

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Grant is the best-selling Christian music artist of all time and the first to garner the number one spot on Billboard’s chart. Since beginning her career at age 17, she has earned six Grammy Awards and twenty-five Dove Awards, and last year she received her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Grant’s numerous television appearances include Oprah; Good Morning, America; and Late Night with David Letterman. In 2007 she’ll tour nationwide, performing with local symphonies in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and elsewhere.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grammy Award–winning artist Amy Grant has lived in the spotlight since bursting onto the Christian music scene as a teenager thirty years ago. In that time her work, marriage, and spiritual life have been subject to varying degrees of adulation and criticism.

Now, in her first autobiographical book, Grant bares her heart and soul, giving readers an intimate glimpse into her everyday life and the lessons she’s learning along the way. From lighthearted reminiscences of her Tennessee childhood to painfully honest reflections on the journey of faith, her vivid writing draws readers into her world while simultaneously creating space for them to rethink their own perspectives on life.

With honesty and depth, Grant offers poignant and often startling insights on motherhood, marriage, friendship, faith, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. Never-before-shared stories about her husband, country music star Vince Gill, provide a look into her life as a celebrity, while intimate portraits of her mother and musings on the past reveal the various pieces of a life blessed with jagged edges as well as vivid colors. Readers will find their preconceived notions of this music icon stripped away as they settle in for a warmly satisfying conversation with a gracious and wise friend.
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MY REVIEW:

This book is a candid glimpse into the private life of someone who has lived much of their life in the public eye. When I know a celebrity for their talents, rarely do I also know or see them as a real person. In this book Amy Grant succeeds masterfully at integrating her public and private persona for those who have only known her through her celebrity status.

She not only evidences her deep and abiding faith throughout these pages, she also acknowledges that all of our lives are affected by detours we have taken as a result of some of our choices. The lyrics and poetry as well as her prose evoke a variety of emotions in the reader. Her descriptive language brings the people, places and experiences of each event to life in the readers' mind.

I could see and hear the waves, imagine the shattered shells along the shore, and feel the sand on my feet as if I were there myself when she is talking about trips to the Florida shore.

For any fan of Amy Grant's and even those who have no idea who she is, this is a genuine portrayal of realities in life that do not discriminate. She willingly opens the door on her experiences in a way that many people will be able to relate to. There are lessons to learn in observing others' circumstances. This book is a wonderful example of sharing personal lessons in life and faith to help others along in their circumstances and walk of faith. Hearing others' perspectives also encourages me to recognize and cherish the blessings that God has provided to me.

While this is more an anthology than a single narrative, I couldn't put it down and finished reading only to wish there was still more left for me to read.

SOME FAVORITE QUOTES:
"That doesn't change the ocean. It is constant and powerful, and like the love of God, whether we're immersed in it, standing on the shore, or a thousand miles away it remains." Page 11

"Nothing is wasted in life. Grief and pain enlarge our capacity for compassion and perseverance." Page 154

"It's a dance, it's a balance
Holding on and letting go" from Every Road on Page 7

"I see these sleepless nights
And count every tear you cry
Some lessons hurt to learn" from Carry You on Page 166

Remember to leave a comment with your email address to enter a drawing for a free copy of this book. Disguise it for example yourname[at]providername[dot]com. If the comments aren't working (and please give it at least 24hours to show up as comments are moderated and I might only be able to get on once a day at times), then you may email me please be sure your subject says Amy Grant Mosaic Drawing. No subject emails are likely to be lost or deleted. I have three copies to give to lucky readers. I will draw names and announce the winners next Monday October 22. All comments placed before midnight on the 22nd will be entered unless you specify otherwise. Comment time will be determined by the timestamp on the posted comment.