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Greenlights
by
6 hours, 42 minutes
From the Academy Award®–winning actor, an unconventional memoir filled with raucous stories, outlaw wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction
I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes abou ...more
From the Academy Award®–winning actor, an unconventional memoir filled with raucous stories, outlaw wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction
I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes abou ...more
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Hardcover, 308 pages
Published
October 20th 2020
by Crown Publishing Group (NY)
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My suggestion is to listen to the audiobook so that you can get wrapped up in that warm, friendly, country-boy voice of his as if he is talking directly to you. My suggestion is also to listen in a quiet environment because Matthew is not an overbearing narrator.
What you'll get are some the wonderful interjections of laughter and a few "wooo"s to let you know that Matthew is a genuine human being, very humble of his own fame. Even better, he's very intelligent. There are many passages that can ...more
What you'll get are some the wonderful interjections of laughter and a few "wooo"s to let you know that Matthew is a genuine human being, very humble of his own fame. Even better, he's very intelligent. There are many passages that can ...more
I LOVED IT!!!!!!
isn’t that enough? FANTASTIC storytelling...
MEMORABLE STORIES you ‘won’t’ forget.
Mathew is not only a great actor, he’s a GREAT AUTHOR!!!
HE CAN WRITE!!!!
For readers who think this book isn’t for you—-you just might surprise yourself.
Its soooooo engaging!!!
I didn’t want miss a word!!!!
I loved, loved, loved, loved it!!!!
YOU’ll LOVE IT!!!!! I Promise!!!!!!
“Greenlights”..... 🟢 is a wonderful gift to ‘thyself’.
🟢Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢
Thank you, Mathew.......
.... ...more
isn’t that enough? FANTASTIC storytelling...
MEMORABLE STORIES you ‘won’t’ forget.
Mathew is not only a great actor, he’s a GREAT AUTHOR!!!
HE CAN WRITE!!!!
For readers who think this book isn’t for you—-you just might surprise yourself.
Its soooooo engaging!!!
I didn’t want miss a word!!!!
I loved, loved, loved, loved it!!!!
YOU’ll LOVE IT!!!!! I Promise!!!!!!
“Greenlights”..... 🟢 is a wonderful gift to ‘thyself’.
🟢Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢
Thank you, Mathew.......
.... ...more
Really enjoyed this one. I really love Matthew McConnaughey as a human and as an actor so I was really excited to hear he wrote a book! I listened to the audiobook and his narration is absolutely fantastic, if you decide to read this book you HAVE to go with the audiobook, his voice is amazing and his narration was so fun I was smiling like an idiot most of the time reading this.
Only reason I knocked off a star is because I wasn’t a huge fan of the self-help parts of this book, I was more intere ...more
Only reason I knocked off a star is because I wasn’t a huge fan of the self-help parts of this book, I was more intere ...more
On the one hand, I read this book in less than two days over the course of a rainy weekend.
On the other hand, I have been keeping notebooks in which I wax poetic since I was eighteen and this book has inspired me to never ever share them with anyone.
On the other hand, I have been keeping notebooks in which I wax poetic since I was eighteen and this book has inspired me to never ever share them with anyone.
You lost me on the third wet dream, Matthew.
Talk about oversharing your self-centred story.
Talk about oversharing your self-centred story.
Ahhhhhh...I am totally listening to Matthew McConaughey! ❤️ Holy crap! So there is something to be said for a memoir where the author reads you their story. You all know the voice...but do you know the story?
So I think there are two types of memoirs. One where the author paints the picture they want you to see, their public persona. Then there is the type where they actually let you get a glimpse of their life. Their outlook, thoughts and of course the path they have taken to get where they are ...more
So I think there are two types of memoirs. One where the author paints the picture they want you to see, their public persona. Then there is the type where they actually let you get a glimpse of their life. Their outlook, thoughts and of course the path they have taken to get where they are ...more
This book is a good read - suitable for all times, but makes more sense for these uncertain and strange times.
***
To all those criticising this book as `self centered` and `selfish` - my answer is “you are right”.
memoir: a written record of a person's own life and experiences (Cambridge Dictionary)
As the above definition states, a memoir is about a person`s own life – so it will be about `self`. And, when someone writes or speaks about self, of course, it will be about themselves…
Greenlights is ...more
***
To all those criticising this book as `self centered` and `selfish` - my answer is “you are right”.
memoir: a written record of a person's own life and experiences (Cambridge Dictionary)
As the above definition states, a memoir is about a person`s own life – so it will be about `self`. And, when someone writes or speaks about self, of course, it will be about themselves…
Greenlights is ...more
A rambling book with great stories but flawed execution. McConaughey was a C student in college, claiming he was normally an A student but wanted to devote time to real world instead of books, and at the end of this books says he'd rather "take an experienced C over an ignorant A any day." Well, this book is a C at best and could have been an A if he would have been less self-satisfied and allowed others to guide him to objective conclusions. Instead it's all about subjective Matthew living his
...more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alright alright alright...5 easy breezy stars. It felt like I sat around with him over a glass of scotch and he told me stories of his life. He’s witty, funny, smooth, and worked his literary skills through my heart. I laughed out loud, I paused to write down deep truths that resonated with me, and I face palmed at some of his antics. Do yourself a favor and listen to the Audible, he narrates! Oh yes!!!
His life has been interesting, to say the least. I love his passion to constantly be ...more
Alright alright alright...5 easy breezy stars. It felt like I sat around with him over a glass of scotch and he told me stories of his life. He’s witty, funny, smooth, and worked his literary skills through my heart. I laughed out loud, I paused to write down deep truths that resonated with me, and I face palmed at some of his antics. Do yourself a favor and listen to the Audible, he narrates! Oh yes!!!
His life has been interesting, to say the least. I love his passion to constantly be ...more
What a disappointment.. was soooo looking forward to this!! UGH seriously probably 2.5 ⭐ for me but it's a biography and I feel harsh lowball scoring someone's life thoughts lol so I rounded up.. I realize a lot of people loved this but truly not sure what to say about that.
Also not too sure where to start here but will make it brief. My final thoughts are that I guess you should leave your Hollywood crushes alone and not read about their lives in case you end up here, where I am... I loved Matt ...more
Also not too sure where to start here but will make it brief. My final thoughts are that I guess you should leave your Hollywood crushes alone and not read about their lives in case you end up here, where I am... I loved Matt ...more
Oh lord, was this annoying. I love a good celebrity memoir, but not when riddled with self-help tidbits. If McConaughey had stuck to personal essays without all the cheesy, self-satisfactory interjections (“prescription!” and “note to self!” and “bumper sticker!”), I’d have liked it more, even though the stories themselves felt very anecdotal and lacked depth. Unless you’re a massive fan, I can’t recommend.
Alright, alright, alright...
Greenlights is exactly what you’d expect a memoir from Matthew McConaughey to be like, and that’s pretty great.
I’ve been a McConaughey fan since he appeared as Drew Barrymore’s boyfriend in the movie Boys on the Side . Aside from his obvious aesthetic gifts (I saw him once in person during his dirty, shoeless days in Austin and he was still totally magnetic) and his acting talent, I’ve always thought him to be one of the bluntest, funniest, most cerebral celebr ...more
Greenlights is exactly what you’d expect a memoir from Matthew McConaughey to be like, and that’s pretty great.
I’ve been a McConaughey fan since he appeared as Drew Barrymore’s boyfriend in the movie Boys on the Side . Aside from his obvious aesthetic gifts (I saw him once in person during his dirty, shoeless days in Austin and he was still totally magnetic) and his acting talent, I’ve always thought him to be one of the bluntest, funniest, most cerebral celebr ...more
I love Matthew as an actor, I didn’t love this book like I was hoping. And that’s ok 😉
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Green lights:
- Matthew McConaughey is a self-proclaimed optimist. It’s refreshing to see the perspective of someone whose glass is so full.
- The way he reads the audiobook is pretty darn funny, making me spontaneously laugh many times.
- There are some pieces of good advice, like standing firm with your decisions to forego the easy paths while you wait for the right one.
Yellow lights:
- M.M. is a weird dude, but if you opt to listen to or read his book you probably already know that.
- There ar ...more
- Matthew McConaughey is a self-proclaimed optimist. It’s refreshing to see the perspective of someone whose glass is so full.
- The way he reads the audiobook is pretty darn funny, making me spontaneously laugh many times.
- There are some pieces of good advice, like standing firm with your decisions to forego the easy paths while you wait for the right one.
Yellow lights:
- M.M. is a weird dude, but if you opt to listen to or read his book you probably already know that.
- There ar ...more
2.5 stars
I have liked him as an actor and that’s what he should stick with!
I have liked him as an actor and that’s what he should stick with!
Another narcissistic actor who loves to hear himself talk! This book was very preachy and about as deep as a paper cut! What have I learned about Matthew? I've learned that I never want to be stuck in a room with him!
...more
I really enjoyed. I initially picked it up for philosophical thought but got Mr. Mcgaughey’s life story instead - not angry about it, just not what I was expecting.
He is such a free spirit, it makes me jealous. He’s one of those people who really just lives life to the grandest without ever losing the will the keep on going. He takes every moment as a lesson and life virtue, it’s extremely inspiring.
He’s way more artsy than I thought, he lives his life so vibrantly and vividly that I feel like ...more
He is such a free spirit, it makes me jealous. He’s one of those people who really just lives life to the grandest without ever losing the will the keep on going. He takes every moment as a lesson and life virtue, it’s extremely inspiring.
He’s way more artsy than I thought, he lives his life so vibrantly and vividly that I feel like ...more
Matthew McConaughey has the gift of gab. He could easily be a preacher. I can’t imagine choosing to read the physical book and missing out on hearing him narrate. Is what he’s saying worth listening to? Sometimes.
At first, this struck me as more of a fun, autobiographical stand-up routine than a memoir. Yet I wondered if he was aware of how abusive his parents seemed as he told his crazy stories and declared how much love was in their household.
He does things in his book that made me roll my eye ...more
At first, this struck me as more of a fun, autobiographical stand-up routine than a memoir. Yet I wondered if he was aware of how abusive his parents seemed as he told his crazy stories and declared how much love was in their household.
He does things in his book that made me roll my eye ...more
4.5 stars
It's fair to say Matthew McConaughey marches to the beat of his own drum. And bongos. (Yes, the infamous naked bongo playing arrest is brought up in this memoir, and yet, it doesn't seem as weird now in 2020 as it did back when it happened in 1999.) So it wasn't surprising to me that he wrote a unique memoir. While I enjoyed reading this book on my Kindle, I do think it might be even better as an audiobook. The life advice type stuff that is interjected throughout the book will probably ...more
It's fair to say Matthew McConaughey marches to the beat of his own drum. And bongos. (Yes, the infamous naked bongo playing arrest is brought up in this memoir, and yet, it doesn't seem as weird now in 2020 as it did back when it happened in 1999.) So it wasn't surprising to me that he wrote a unique memoir. While I enjoyed reading this book on my Kindle, I do think it might be even better as an audiobook. The life advice type stuff that is interjected throughout the book will probably ...more
4 stars
I’ve read several memoirs lately and this has definitely been the most fun. Matthew McConaughey has had an interesting life and I absolutely loved his narration and his outlook on life. Quite a few times I laughed out loud. I enjoyed this one lots.
I’ve read several memoirs lately and this has definitely been the most fun. Matthew McConaughey has had an interesting life and I absolutely loved his narration and his outlook on life. Quite a few times I laughed out loud. I enjoyed this one lots.
Audio book source: Libby (library borrow)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Matthey McConaughey
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Memoir
Length: 6 hours and 42 minutes
Unsurprisingly the book was GOOD!!!
Matthew McConaughey is one interesting dude, and his narration was TOP!!! For all my peeps who love celebrity memoirs - this one is for you!!!
FULL REVIEW
If you are a fan of celebrity memoirs, and of Matthew McConaughey himself, you’ll love this book.
Not only is Matthew McConaughey an interesting personality, he also has a way of telling stories. His passion about life, acting and his family is palpable when he speaks. That’s probably why I love listening to mem ...more
Matthew McConaughey is one interesting dude, and his narration was TOP!!! For all my peeps who love celebrity memoirs - this one is for you!!!
FULL REVIEW
If you are a fan of celebrity memoirs, and of Matthew McConaughey himself, you’ll love this book.
Not only is Matthew McConaughey an interesting personality, he also has a way of telling stories. His passion about life, acting and his family is palpable when he speaks. That’s probably why I love listening to mem ...more
I went with high hopes into this book, very sure that I would like it as I have always enjoyed his work. But things didn't go as well. There are few things that I didn't like.
The first thing that struck me odd was how he painted the picture of domestic violence. He went into details once but told that it was the norm, this was how the parents showed their love. And it was quite scary.
Then there was him saying that stealing is not bad unless you got caught (he got it from his parents), come on ...more
The first thing that struck me odd was how he painted the picture of domestic violence. He went into details once but told that it was the norm, this was how the parents showed their love. And it was quite scary.
Then there was him saying that stealing is not bad unless you got caught (he got it from his parents), come on ...more
Oct 28, 2020
Claudia
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
auto-biography-memoir,
shreds-of-life
It’s a love letter. To life.
Indeed it is. McConaughey is a guy who really pursued his dreams. (view spoiler)
What I most liked about his writing is that it's not polished: his thoughts, adventures, stories, all are raw, spiced more often than not with humor and self-irony. He is charming, funny, thoughtfu ...more
Indeed it is. McConaughey is a guy who really pursued his dreams. (view spoiler)
What I most liked about his writing is that it's not polished: his thoughts, adventures, stories, all are raw, spiced more often than not with humor and self-irony. He is charming, funny, thoughtfu ...more
Q:
Things I witnessed, dreamed, chased, gave and received.
Truth bombs that interrupted my space and time in ways I could not ignore.
Contracts I have made with myself, many of which I live up to, most of which I still pursue.
These are my sights and seens, felts and figured outs, cools and shamefuls.
Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality.
Initiations, invitations, calibrations, and graduations.
Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets trying to dance between the raindrops.
...
Hopefull ...more
Things I witnessed, dreamed, chased, gave and received.
Truth bombs that interrupted my space and time in ways I could not ignore.
Contracts I have made with myself, many of which I live up to, most of which I still pursue.
These are my sights and seens, felts and figured outs, cools and shamefuls.
Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality.
Initiations, invitations, calibrations, and graduations.
Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets trying to dance between the raindrops.
...
Hopefull ...more
This was such a fun read written in a very cool and unusual style.
Matthew McConaughey is such a cool guy and he lives his life the way he want to live it. In the book he tells you his story about staying true to himself, and every time he strays from that, he stops, centers himself and then become even more successful and happy because of being himself. And this in an industry and a world where everyone tries to be something they are not.
His stories and dreams can take strange turns at time, but ...more
Matthew McConaughey is such a cool guy and he lives his life the way he want to live it. In the book he tells you his story about staying true to himself, and every time he strays from that, he stops, centers himself and then become even more successful and happy because of being himself. And this in an industry and a world where everyone tries to be something they are not.
His stories and dreams can take strange turns at time, but ...more
LOVED this wild, deeply soulful, entertaining memoir. The audiobook version is a MUST. Matthew's narration is phenomenal.
...more
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on a road trip. Loved the honesty as well as the voice of McConaughey. The added, "notes to self," and "bumper stickers," had me laughing throughout. I had a similar upbringing, complete with spankings.....I turned out pretty good. Keep up the good work Matthew. I look forward to the next one.
...more
Matthew McConaughey is one heck of a story teller!
I listened to this on audio book and was truly engaged the whole way through.
This book is raw, witty, insightful, uplifting and had me laughing out loud
And lets be honest, with that voice, I would listen to McConaughey read the phone book!
I listened to this on audio book and was truly engaged the whole way through.
This book is raw, witty, insightful, uplifting and had me laughing out loud
And lets be honest, with that voice, I would listen to McConaughey read the phone book!
Unexpectedly tiresome, self centered, self righteous, disturbing on so many levels, condones corporal punishment, physical abuse...a letter to Narcissism.
Alright, Alright, Alright! Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey....what can I say?
This book was fun, it was entertaining, it was interesting. It made me laugh so much and it broke my heart. Matthew has been one of my favourite actors since A Time To Kill. I loved hearing his behind the scenes stories about making his movies.
But it is so much more than that. Matthew really is a born storyteller. Greenlights covers his life from being a kid right up to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is stories from his ...more
This book was fun, it was entertaining, it was interesting. It made me laugh so much and it broke my heart. Matthew has been one of my favourite actors since A Time To Kill. I loved hearing his behind the scenes stories about making his movies.
But it is so much more than that. Matthew really is a born storyteller. Greenlights covers his life from being a kid right up to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is stories from his ...more
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Readers also enjoyed
Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is a married man, a father of three children, and a loyal son and brother. He considers himself a storyteller by occupation, believes it's okay to have a beer on the way to the temple, feels better with a day's sweat on him, and is an aspiring orchestral conductor.
In 2009, Matthew and his wife, Camila, founded the just keep livin Foundation, which he ...more
In 2009, Matthew and his wife, Camila, founded the just keep livin Foundation, which he ...more
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“Don’t walk into a place like you wanna buy it, walk in like you own it.”
—
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“We all step in shit from time to time. We hit roadblocks, we fuck up, we get fucked, we get sick, we don’t get what we want, we cross thousands of “could have done better”s and “wish that wouldn’t have happened”s in life. Stepping in shit is inevitable, so let’s either see it as good luck, or figure out how to do it less often.”
—
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