**Rating:** 4.20/5 (Goodreads)
**Genre:** Memoir

**Pages:** 289
**Published:** October 20, 2020

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

My Reaction

Caleb read Greenlights before I did & he couldn’t put it down. He kept saying, you gotta read this book it’s wild! I was in a deep longing to read historical fiction at the time and memoirs didn’t interest me at all. (Though I’m now on another memoir after reading this one.) I decided to read it, partly so I could see what Caleb was going on about, but mainly because I had just finished a novel and didn’t have anything new to read.

I’m a millennial woman, so of course I grew up with his rom coms on repeat in high school- he always seemed like a pretty down to earth guy. He’s a fellow Southerner that’s true to his upbringing so I had a good feeling I’d finish the book instead of shelfing it halfway through.

I was hooked by the first ten pages. I don’t think I’ve every read anything so raw and true to oneself. He’s unapologetically himself throughout the entire book. This guy had lived a hundred lifetimes in one. Reading Greenlights has encouraged me to want to be more of myself. Try the bigs things and avoid the what if’s.

It’s so refreshing to see a huge celebrity show the world who they really are, the inner thoughts- some beautiful & inspirations, some more in the zone of wtf did he really share that with the world. Everything in Hollywood & down to the wannabe celebrities on social media now days is fake. Everyone is wearing a mask. This book is a refreshing reminder that we’re all human, we’re all hurting at times, & we’re all searching for meaning.

A Quick Summary

At age 14, McConaughey began journaling — capturing thoughts, dreams, failures, and successes — something that would become a foundational practice in his self-discovery journey. McConaughey uses these journal entries to create this philosophical, humorous, and raw memoir. He emphasizes living authentically, embracing risks, and looking for meaning in life's ups and downs. The tone is conversational and deeply personal.

McConaughey uses the metaphor of "greenlights" to represent moments in life when things go well—opportunities, successes, signs that you're on the right path. He also reflects on "red" and "yellow" lights—setbacks, delays, and challenges—which often turn out to be blessings in disguise, leading to growth and eventual greenlights.

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