Part memoir, part devotional, Tasha Layton’s “Look What You’ve Done: The Lies We Believe and the Truth That Sets Us Free” is proof God writes the best stories. The two-time chart-topper may be a relatively new artist in the Christian genre, but as she divulges in her new book, music has always been a part of her life.
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The South Carolina native reveals she grew up in a musical — albeit modest — household. Kids at school often called her “trailer trash.” Yet, more than the degrading nickname attributed to her by her peers, it would be the assumptions spoken over her years later by a pastor’s wife that would eventually crush her spirit. Wounded by words, Layton shelved her musical gifts and renounced her faith. Severe depression ensued, resulting in a nearly fatal suicide attempt.
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Searching for purpose and meaning, the hurting singer embarked on a quest to explore various religions. Eventually, her wandering guided her back to the One True God and led her to California to pursue a seminary degree. That’s where her passion for music was slowly rekindled. Soon, the “How Far” hitmaker was leading worship, doing session work in Los Angeles, auditioning for “American Idol,” and touring the globe as a background vocalist for pop sensation Katy Perry.
After a four-year stint with the “Firework” singer, Layton made her way to Nashville where she met and married songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Keith Everette Smith, a member of TobyMac’s touring band. At the encouragement of her husband, she began writing and recording her own music, which led to “Look What You’ve Done” becoming her first single to crown the charts.
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“My friend, Tasha, loves Jesus in such a beautiful way. You will love her new book, ‘Look What You’ve Done,’” offers Layton’s “Hits Deep” tourmate Jon Reddick. “She shares some of the most powerful stories and provides intimate self-reflections on what God was doing along the way.”
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Across 24 chapters, the mother of two recounts her experiences from a place of thoughtful examination and time-afforded hindsight. Sprinkled with humorous anecdotes and heartbreaking realizations, “Look What You’ve Done” gives the seasoned singer space to probe the path that led her to the present. She takes readers along on her travels across the globe as she experimented with mysticism, practiced Buddhism and studied Judaism, among other world religions — finally revealing why she now fully believes Jesus to be the only One worthy of worship. In addition, she gives readers an inside look at what it was like touring with one of the world’s biggest pop stars and what “Hollywood Week” on “Idol” really taught her.
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From the glamour of private jets and celebrity encounters to the depths of utter despair and hopelessness, Layton’s book is full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows — and it’s fascinating at every turn. Each step of the way, her unorthodox journey is filled with an immense gratefulness as she acknowledges the masterful way God continues to bring her story full-circle.
“I’ve come to know and love Tasha like a sister. Not only have we had the privilege of sharing messages of hope through music to our audiences on stage, but also laughter and deep heart conversations off stage,” fellow recording artist Danny Gokey shares. “Tasha is the real deal, and the more I’ve learned about her story, the more inspired I am by her incredible faith. The way that God has always been working in her life challenges me to look at my own journey with new eyes. This is her story to honor what God has done, and I know it will inspire and challenge you, too!”
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Not only does Layton share her personal narrative through the pages of her debut book, but she also helps readers investigate their own lives through introspective discussion questions and hope-affirming Scripture verses that conclude each chapter. In “Look What You’ve Done,” Layton invites readers to step into her story so that they can find true rescue, healing and significance in their own.
“For so many years, I didn’t see a path to freedom. But over time, I have come to see that God is with me on this journey. And guess what? He is with you, too,” the songstress contends. “My hope is that the pages I’ve written in this book will point you to true freedom.”
