Objects in the Mirror: Thoughts on a Perfect Life from an Imperfect Person

by Stephen Kellogg

Objects in the Mirror: Thoughts on a Perfect Life from an Imperfect Person is a collection of essays that explores what it means to be alive. Like Polaroids framing the years of a troubadour and family man afflicted with an excess of self-awareness, these are stories without any clear good guys or bad guys. Instead, in each of these vignettes, you will find dysfunctional humans trying to do their best and bouncing off each other in the process.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

259 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2020

About the author

An American singer and songwriter who has released 17 albums and performed more than 2,000 concerts in 21 countries. He’s received the Armed Forces Entertainer of the Year award, had his work nominated for a Grammy, and delivered a TEDx Talk. Planet Bluegrass describes him as “a first-class songwriter with a poet’s gift for fresh imagery.” He lives in New England with his wife, four daughters, and their cat, Holly.

Reviews

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good :)

I met Stephen in 2008 when he was with his former band the Sixers. (Highly recommend his music with them and solo) They opened for a favorite band of mine (Hanson) and I fell in love with the music by the second song.

I got to meet them afterwards, and everyone was very nice. They hung with the fans for a little while before they had to leave.

I've seen Stephen live many times over the years, and it is always a good time. He is such a genunine person on and off stage. His music always leaves me feeling happy and relaxed. He just puts it out there in a way that feels like you are sitting down and having a conversation with him.

This book felt that way as well. It has a "down home" feel (right term?) that you are just sitting there, listening to him talk and imparting this nuggests of wisdom.

He makes some good points in here. I kept quoting sections of this to people as I was reading. Personal reasons I won't get into, the Friendship hit home for me on a few notes, as did Forgiveness, Legacy, and Work.

He doesn't claim to have all the answers (who does really?) but it was comforting to read his words and know I'm not the only one who has thought those things.

I'm proud to be a fan of his <3

Would highly recommend this:)

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a Stephen Kellogg fan, you should read this book. If you’re not a Stephen Kellogg fan, you should go listen to the Objects in the Mirror and Glassjaw Boxer albums, buy a ticket to a show, become a Stephen Kellogg fan, and then read this book.

[Corey Dutson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels odd to review a book like this. This is not-quite a lecture, not-quite an auto-biography, and not-quite a self-help book.

It is truly a man waxing poetic on the things that have made him… him. This whole book feels like i sat beside him in front of a campfire, drinking something boozy and staying up too late talking about things. A long, meandering conversation with no direction and no intention other than to just converse and connect in that way only a campfire sit down can do.

I feel like I made a friend, despite only meeting him once (as of this date) very briefly after his set in Toronto.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book about Stephen Kellogg that I was hoping for! Full of honesty and anecdotes and heart. I feel like I just had a really long and personal conversation with SK, and I loved every second of it. His voice is confident throughout every struggle and every triumph. He writes to us as one of us, which makes it relatable even if you've never accidentally plagiarized Paul Simon. I loved this book! ❤️

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a memoir of a life on the road by this hard-working singer-songwriter. Instead, I was surprised by this graceful collection of essays on marriage, friendship, kids, humor, integrity, forgiveness and legacy. A self-described “imperfect person,” has written a thoughtful book about things that matter.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been listening to Stephen Kellogg since college and was excited to read more about his life / thoughts. In general, it was an interesting combo of personal stories and advice / his take on life! Since my husband became a fan once we started going to concerts together, he actually read the book aloud to my prego belly over the course of a few weeks. Hopefully we'll be raising another SK fan here soon!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I admit that I’m a Stephen Kellogg fan, you don’t need to be to love the hell out of this book. Part humor, part self-help, part memoir, this man is as good at writing songs as he is musing about life. Each chapter is about one of his core values, which he pairs perfectly with each song on his album of the same name, Objects in the Mirror. This book is officially out everywhere books are sold on July 7, but check out his website to get it early! I don’t think you’ll regret it.

[J.L. Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I expected from master songwriter Stephen Kellogg. Just like his lyrics, this book is full of heart, honesty, heartwarming stories and beautiful words. Mr. Kellogg has a wonderful way with words, and this book cannot be missed!

[Alison Hammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed full of heart, humor and wisdom.

I read it in two sittings and stayed up until way past my bedtime to finish it. Reading these personal essays was like having an honest, heartfelt conversation with the author. One that I didn't want to end!

I have a feeling this book will be one of the few books that I read for a second time. Maybe even a third. I highly recommend the book, and the album of songs that goes along with it.

And speaking of the songs, if you're reading this and the virtual tour is still going on—do yourself a favor and get a ticket! www.stephenkellogg.com

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having finished this, I don’t feel like I have any extra insight into the artist, singer, and songwriter Stephen Kellogg. That’s not necessarily a bad thing: if you’ve ever seen one of his shows, read his lyrics, or even tuned into his social media accounts you know this is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, always. What WAS surprising was to read the lyrics to his album Objects in the Mirror juxtaposed against the titles of the chapters in his book. I love his music - I have been a loyal follower ever since the Last Dispatch at the Hatch Shell in 2004, when Stephen and crew were walking around giving out free two-song CDs (many records and concerts and swag purchased later I’m sure I’ve more than paid for that marketing effort, so I feel ok admitting it was a free CD that hooked me) - but I don’t think I’ve ever read it free of accompanying music. It’s poetry. It stands on its own.

There was a chapter or two that felt clunky - “Time” comes to mind as one that felt more platitude than reflection - but some truly sing. “Integrity,” in particular, felt timely and relevant during a week where the leader of the free world pardoned a convicted felon while he continues to cage children at the border. Kellogg lost sleep over an accidentally plagiarized song, and may have paid for it career wise, dearly. His clear eyed outlook on maintaining integrity, no matter what, was refreshing, weirdly heart-rending, and felt very true to character.

I hope this book nets him an additional following - I’ve never seen anyone play his heart and soul out the way he does every single show. My guess is he will remain a satisfied man regardless for having accomplished one of his biggest goals yet.

[Storey Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I vacillated pretty widely on how I felt about this book, so the comfortable home of 4 stars (how I feel about most things I read) persists. The thing with Stephen Kellogg, for me, is that I find him incredibly relatable, but I'm also not sure I would actually like him in person. See also Ann Patchett. Relatability is the core of connection, though, so I totally dig that as paramount. He feels deeply and wants to connect and create and thinks that everyone else should feel deeply too! That's a LOT that I have in common and he talks about it in depth. But sometimes this book feels a little self-helpy. Was it self-helpy in a way that was perhaps particularly important as the first book I read in full after my father's death? Yes, almost certainly. HOWever, the bit about forgiveness was perhaps the most acute rendition of it just being practical magic without anything that made sense to me. I am desperately seeking detailed descriptions on the HOW of forgiveness and this offering is basically just "well, it's impractical not to!" as though practicality had anything whatsoever to do with the heart. Oh well, someone will someday explain this to me in a way that works. Or, y'know, not.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d never have expected to rate this any less than 5 stars knowing what I know about Stephen Kellogg and considering him my favorite musician for 15 years or so. What I should say here is for other readers. This is a collection of essays I’d recommend to anyone. There is no prerequisite of knowing SK or being a fan of his music (though hopefully you jump on board with that too after you read!) Stephen writes about life, about marriage, family and children (like many of hissing lyrics) and he captures the viewpoint of the every man, expressing humility throughout and openly writing about his moments where he was less than successful. He writes about work and friendships and leads the reader through self exploration or what we value in life.

I particularly enjoyed hearing him recite lyrics, familiar to me from songs, but resounding differently read without musical accompaniment.

An extra treat to listen to the audio version, read by the author, an obviously familiar voice for anyone familiar with his music.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of wisdom, humor, and humility from an authentic singer-songwriter and thinker.

Instead of focusing on stories from decades on the road or encounters with famous people, Kellogg critically thinks about topics that everyone can relate to.

Being a fan of his music helps, but it's no way a prerequisite for reading the book. The self-awareness is especially evident in the essays, as it never comes across as a how-to type or a self-satisfied memoir.

Looking forward to another book from Kellogg at some point further down the road.

[Julie-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan, have been for years. I wanted this book to be a bit more autobiographic/memoir with tales from the road and about the music process and such (like, some more details about the part of his life that made him famous and made most of us want to read this book in the first place) and less about general life lessons and clearly about his desire to just write a book. But it was decent and enjoyable and, really... just what it was advertised to be. My bad for wishing there was a little more to it than it was.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went to a Steven Kellogg concert. He was so engaging and I am such a book lover I had to buy this book. This book is a compilation of essays that each are tied to a song from an album he wrote with the same title. Such a great way to pull this book together. The essays are light reading, charming, and honest. Although I got the feeling he was holding back what he felt comfortable sharing. I get that, he is talking about his family, his life, his friends. That said I enjoyed the book and thought it was well written.

[Jules Blight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite singer/songwriter, hands down. Love this peak into his thoughts and observations on his life and the world around him. I have a signed copy of this book from his campaign to get the book started, but I listened to the audible version with an intro by Adam Duritz of Counting Crows and narrated by Stephen, himself. If you are a fan of his music then this is a must read (or listen).

[Rachel Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite musicians. Loved this collection of essays and insight on life. While I was hoping for more stories about how certain songs came to be (I love knowing the inspriation), that comes more from seeing him in concert than this book. Instead, he gives you a glimpse of life lessons, anecdotes, and a look at what it's like to be him. You will laugh, cry, and remember that we are all unique yet all connected by our human emotions and trying to get through this journey called life.

[Dan Hasse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw Stephen Kellogg at the stone pony last summer and he mentioned he wrote a book. Had to give it a go. Its such an easy read but it comes with some not so easy topics. I enjoyed this book not because of it’s simplicity and easy reading, rather I was able to imagine Stephen talking to me personally. Thats the power of his pen in his music and in his writing. It always feels so personal.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Stephen Kellogg for fifteen years and loved this book. It felt like we were having a very long chat over coffee. I’m always interested in what he has to say and this book was no exception.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biggest reason I loved this is because the author is my favorite musician and I adore his music. There were little “insider” references here that fans of his music will love, but there are a fair number of wisdom nuggets that anyone can appreciate as well.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted review of what's important in life told through amusing anecdotes. Kellogg makes a few too many excuse for his own behavior but the fundamental messages are sound.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband is a Stephen Kellogg fan and we went to a show of his in town a few years ago. When this book came out, my husband ordered a signed copy and I started reading it when it was left out around the house. It’s an enjoyable, relatable read. I liked Kellogg’s honesty and wisdom offered in a down to earth manner.

This book is written in short chapters and easily read in snippets. If you’re a fan of Kellogg or just a fan of books that remind you to live intentionally, give this book a read.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite singer-songwriters talks about life in general

[Jason M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every word resonated with me! It seems no matter who we are, our lives run parallel to each other. Some comfort in knowing that. His story and voice were truthful, funny and hopeful!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy his music.

[George Tregear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and sincere. He writes books like he writes songs. Personal. Deep. Excellent.

[Mariette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely adore this singer/songwriter and now author! Recommend seeing him concert for sure. If you’re reading this, stop and go play some of Stephen Kellogg’s music. You’ll be glad you did.

Some favorite quotes from the book:

“Our use of time and the way we prioritize our existence is a reflection of who we are.” P. 2

On marriage “…we don’t think twice about undertaking it with no formal training.” P. 12

“But being brave has never been about not being afraid.” P. 102

“Being passionate about what you do can be a 24:7 enterprise. But everything I’ve ever done in my life that I’m proud of began with butterflies and took plenty of Elenor grease.” P. 148

“I’ve learned that the best job security is to be great at what you do, and you’ll bd be greater at what you do if the work matters to you.” P. 164

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though he’s been around a while I was just recently introduced to Stephen Kellogg in concert recently. I loved him and his music. His book is full of insight and wisdom. Well done.

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s safe to say musicians’ memoirs can be a really hit-and-miss affair, as often the author’s life is so removed from the reader’s that a true connection becomes almost impossible. This is not the case with Stephen Kellogg’s ‘sort of’ memoirs, “Objects in the Mirror - Thoughts on a Perfect Life from an Imperfect Person”. In this collection of essays, Stephen Kellogg writes about marriage, friendships, heroes - and ‘everything else that matters’, with chapters on integrity, work and legacy. If you have ever been to one of his shows, you might recognise a couple of the anecdotes, which are re-told here in Kellogg’s familiar self-deprecating style.

Not just for fans, “Object in the Mirror…” is an inspiring, insightful read about a man trying to make sense of life - and ‘everything else that matters’.