Mary Marantz - Dirt: Growing Strong Roots in What Makes the Broken Beautiful

Marys story is one that will live deep in the corners of your heart forever, reminding you, through her own experiences and beautiful storytelling, that the good stuff of life is often found in the hardest circumstances. Dirt is the inspiring story of a girl who knew something better was on the other side of fear and challenge. Marys words are so poignant and touched my heart in so many ways. This is a story you will keep with you long after you turn the final page. Im so excited to share this truly extraordinary memoir with everyone I know, and Im eager for Mary to put pen to paper again.

Emily Ley, bestselling author of When Less Becomes More: Making Space for Slow, Simple, and Good

Mary Marantz is a born storyteller! She is an exceptional writer who has that unique ability to transform even the hardest of scenes into profound fine art. Her writing just has a way of taking you by the hand and walking you back to truth, to a place called home. If youre tired of running from your story and ready to lean into the strength it gives you, this book is for you. Dirt is truly a pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps American anthem. All I could think was how our two stories are so different, and yet Marys story is also my own. Its all of our stories. This deeply moving debut book is a triumph in every way!

Jessica Honegger, founder of Noonday Collection and author of Imperfect Courage

In Philippians, the apostle Paul talks about the great stuff hes done, the horrible stuff hes been through, and how its all forgettable in light of God. Those verses come to mind when I hear or read Marys words. Her story matters because all of our stories matterbut its not her accolades or her acknowledgments of pain that youll remember most. Her words reek of Gods grace, glory, and goodness, and of our ability to cling to them. Whether you come to this book with the most successful or the most stinky past, youll be blessed and loved well by Marys leading. Shes a good friend, and this is a good book.

Jess Connolly, author of You Are the Girl for the Job and Take It Too Far

In this captivating, compelling book, Mary Marantz draws you into a moving story with plenty of space to breathe and say, Ive felt that too. Marantz writes from right here on the ground, meeting you where you are. She tells the unique story of her life in a beautifully relatable way, where you will comb through every page and be reminded: through it all, there is grace.

Morgan Harper Nichols, author of All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living

Its easy to want to discard your roots and turn away from the mess that made you, but Mary Marantz does just the opposite in this beautiful work. Filled with the kind of writing that drops you directly into the gritty details of the story, Mary sifts through her own dirt to reveal pure treasures and glimpses of God to hold on to for the long haul. This book is gorgeously written, and every last word is so intentionally placed. The words are stunning. The pictures she paints are so real, I could not put it down! Get ready to have your heart shaken up and made better through the pages of this book.

Hannah Brencher, author of Come Matter Here and Fighting Forward (2021)

How is it possible to find myself within a story that is so different from my own? Through gorgeous writing and brave truth telling, Mary guides us to lean into our own stories and find transformation and redemption we never thought possible. Dirt is an anthem of love over circumstances and faith over fear. I dare you to start this book and not read it in one sitting. I know it will leave you inspired, challenged, and changed.

Nicole Zasowski, marriage and family therapist and author of From Lost to Found

Dirt is a beautifully written memoir that I could barely put down. Marys words are equal parts poetry and pain, sadness and soaring redemption. For every one of us who has ever wished for an easier story, Dirt is the fight song we have been waiting for. An invitation to trade shame, striving, perfectionism, and unforgiveness for grace, rest, freedom, and reconciliation. I found myself repeatedly nodding my head, seeing myself in her story, even though our pasts could not be more different. I cant think of a more important, desperately needed message right now. This book is a wakeup call, a resounding reminder to stop running and to dig deep into the mud that made us.

Tonya Dalton, bestselling author of The Joy of Missing Out

One word: riveting. If youre looking for your next page-turner that will make you believe anything is possible for yourself, Dirt is what you need to read.

Jess Ekstrom, author of Chasing the Bright Side