Caffeinated Reviewer

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.

“Unflinchingly honest and remarkably candid, Matthew McConaughey’s book invites us to grapple with the lessons of his life as he did - and to see that the point was never to win, but to understand.” (Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck)

I’ve been in this life for 50 years, been trying to work out its riddle for 42, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last 35. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.

Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. I found a reliable theme, an approach to living that gave me more satisfaction, at the time, and still: If you know how, and when, to deal with life’s challenges - how to get relative with the inevitable - you can enjoy a state of success I call “catching greenlights”. So I took a one-way ticket to the desert and wrote this book: an album, a record, a story of my life so far. This is 50 years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops. Hopefully, it’s medicine that tastes good, a couple of aspirin instead of the infirmary, a spaceship to Mars without needing your pilot’s license, going to church without having to be born again, and laughing through the tears. It’s a love letter. To life. It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights - and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green, too. Good luck.

Catching Greenlights…

I listened to Greenlights written and narrated by Matthew McConaughey after hearing a podcast interview. Funny, poignant and honest McConaughey shares the curves, crossroads and detours as he journeys on the highway of his life.

The audiobook is raw, and it felt like I was gathered around a firepit as Matthew chatted and told tales of growing up, from pivotal moments and reassessments.

From his childhood and thrice married parents (to each other) to the values they instilled, we catch a glimpse into the man, his passions and reflections.

I laughed and connected on some levels as we grew up in the same era. I’ve seen most of his films, from RomComs to serious films, and watched him grow as an actor. I found his journey and decisions fascinating.

His reflective approach to life, career and family are admirable and reminded this Type A personality to slow down and reevaluate.

“Unflinchingly honest and remarkably candid, Matthew McConaughey’s book invites us to grapple with the lessons of his life as he did—and to see that the point was never to win, but to understand.”—Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

I loved the green-light concept and agree that sometimes a red light ends up paving the way for more green lights. I think his story about the monk in the desert who gave a simple response after he poured out his soul is something we all need to remind ourselves.

A mix of memoir, life guide and ethic compass, there is a little something for everyone in McConaughey’s story. A great buy for folks on your holiday shopping list.

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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