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Greenlights
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
186 posts | 192 read | 6 reading | 61 to read
From the Academy Award(R)-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 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 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 fifty 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.
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Roary47
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Mehso-so

3✨ I‘ve always been a fan of his movies. He is just a really confident and funny guy. This book goes over his life. I was surprised by his younger years, and how he started to get noticed. I really liked the notes to himself that can give you some ideas on how to either get green lights in life, or how to change your situation for more opportunities. I also loved his love story. I‘m so glad they found each other. #HauntedShelves #TeamFlurken

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 1mo
24 likes1 comment
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Bec_lectic
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

This book was a treat! I am no huge McConaughy fan but I‘ve always enjoyed his acting. This book was recommended to me by a coworker and I am so glad she did. I probably never would have read it. The stories in this book are classic. It makes me wonder if the current generation will ever have stories to tell like this that are just truly entertaining and flat out crazy. Good writing and very philosophical. A great read!

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suvata
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

• TBR since December 4, 2020
• 336 pages • first pub 2020 • nonfiction • memoir • funny • inspiring • reflective • 4 Stars

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey is a reflective and inspiring memoir that offers a unique perspective on life, success, and personal growth. It begins with “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. ⬇️

suvata 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.” 8mo
39 likes1 comment
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Victoriahoperose
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book even more than I thought I would. Learning about Matthew Mcconaughey‘s life and how he wound up in some of his most famous roles was so interesting. I loved the tone of this book. It was so much fun listening to this one. He is a very engaging narrator and I looked forward to listening to this one every time I got a chance.

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BookishBelle
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Catch-up post #2: 🎧 This was a good listen. There are some shocking moments (his Dad resuscitated a bird!) and maybe a little more crass-ness than I expected but it was very good. Read by the author. I usually listen at a higher rate but his delivery was so spot on, I listened at regular speed.

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kellock
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Well. Alright, alright, alright. I enjoyed this a lot. Could hear his voice throughout. Quite the philosopher.

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kellock
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Matthew McConaughey, wine and a blanket I made today. Bliss 😊

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kellock
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Also going to start this. Quite liking this two book approach to reading. Also liking my new found love of autobiographies.

CuriousG Are you doing the "easy" book/"hard" book approach to two book reading? I find that one works well for me. Either that or one physical book and one audiobook. This particular book is kind of fun on audio, although he randomly speaks very loudly sometimes. Lol 12mo
kellock I'm doing one fiction, one autobiography and one on kindle, my eyes get tired so switching to a kindle helps 12mo
15 likes2 comments
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Leftcoastzen
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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#BookBinge #Celebmemoir Another book I‘ve heard good things about but have yet to read! 📚📚📚

Eggs Great choice👏🏻 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Is that a journal? It‘s so beautiful 😍 1y
Leftcoastzen @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thanks ! Actually a little wooden box with a piece of copper on top. Found at a thrift.there is a divider in the middle , pretty sure it was made as a box for 2 decks of playing cards. 1y
43 likes3 comments
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Allthebookclubs
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Mehso-so

I like his voice on the Calm app, so I gave this a try. I don‘t worship celebrities or care much about tabloids, but I do enjoy a good story teller. The beginning was quite egotistic and his childhood is not something that should be bragged about; domestic violence, more violence, and a pissing contest about damn near everything. I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. He‘s nuts. Book #34 in 2023

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kaysworld1
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Finally finished Greenlights last night had to pull an all nighter. Met the chef as he was just starting work at 6am he was shocked that I stayed up all night reading then pull 11 hours at work, he watched as I made a triple coffee shot, he just shuck his head. Dedication and coffee ☕️
I enjoyed the book and all his personal ramblings but toward the end it was a hard to get through as he started repeating things.
#magnificantmay @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
28 likes1 comment
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kaysworld1
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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I am in, so excited I bought new books today. 📚

@Andrew65
#Readathon
#magnificentmay

TheSpineView It's a good excuse to buy books!!🤣 2y
28 likes1 comment
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kaysworld1
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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I have taken myself on a cake tasting day here in Grasmere. Tasty! 😍 🍰

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
This is a great book, sometimes a bit of all over the spot but his worldly thought's match my own most of the time.

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kaysworld1
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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First book finished Uncollected Poem's by John Betjeman.
#currentlyreading Greenlights by Mathew McConaughey
#AwesomeApril #readathon @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
31 likes1 comment
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LinesUponAPage
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

All the wisdom of the world with that same laidback way of putting people at ease comes flying out of Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey.

This book is a much needed read and the interviews he does for this book are also enlightening. If you need more, YouTube your way to his interviews. I especially liked the one with @jordan.b.peterson.

#memoir #autobiography #matthewmcconaughey #greenlightsbook #wisdomgained #humorous

48 likes2 stack adds
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Bookish_Gal
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Definitely get the audio book if you‘re going to get his book. Great for a 8 hour road trip.
This is not a memoir or biography, as McConaughey will say in the opening. This is a funny and authentic story of this is where my life went when nobody knew me. He does an amazing job changing his voice and stalling to state “bumper sticker”. Inspiring and laugh out loud funny. McConaughey was a crazy boy growing up crazy childhood. Country boys be boys

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MizzGraham
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

One of the best audiobooks I‘ve ever listened to. I laughed, was inspired, and really wanted to keep listening even after it ended. Recommending this one to everyone, for sure.

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MizzGraham
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Erin.Elizabeth10
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Another memoir! This was a well-balanced memoir where he shared about his family, growing up, world travels, his career, faith, and more. I enjoyed the inside look, and he has good stories! I actually realized I‘ve never seen one of his movies 🤦🏼‍♀️ But now I want to watch a few!

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Lizthewiz
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I‘ve always liked Matthew McConaughey as an actor. His book did not disappoint.

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Joysiam
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
Pickpick

I really enjoyed reading this!

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Medusa13
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
Pickpick

I loved it

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ElleMNOpe
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I did NOT expect to like this so much. Part humor, part philosophy, Greenlights is an interesting memoir that caught me terribly off guard. He has often seemed cocky to me, but McConaughey is humble & honest in his storytelling. Listening to the audiobook is 100% the way to go. His delivery is flawless & the warm, throaty cadence of his voice is ridiculously soothing. McConaughey is a fantastic storyteller & this is well worth the read.

16 likes1 stack add
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JenlovesJT47
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Mehso-so

I LOVED the first half of this audiobook. That man has such a sexy voice and an easygoing personality. But halfway through it got muddled and he started coming off as a bit arrogant and out there. Still, if you are going to read this then I‘d recommend getting the audiobook. At least he is very pleasant to listen to! 😆3⭐️

#audiobook
#memoir

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SoapboxEdits
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

He‘s lead an interesting life, to say the least. I know this is a book about Greenlights, but I did feel like everything was made out to be too easy. A “red light” was explained in broad strokes then turned into a green light. But the details of what turned it, the hardships, the deep, raw emotions, were missing. It was a quick and easy read, light and entertaining.

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KristiAhlers
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

For the publishing year 2020 I‘ve chosen this gem! I‘ve always been a huge fan of this man and reading this book you hear his voice and it comes across as if he‘s sitting beside you telling his story. We learn where the Alright Alright Alright comes from and I love it as it makes sense! Highly recommend this one. #19822022 @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Glad you like this one! 3y
CoverToCoverGirl Loved this one! His narration was superb. 3y
KristiAhlers @CoverToCoverGirl right?! I inhaled it in one sitting. It was like he was sitting right with me talking 3y
55 likes4 comments
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SoapboxEdits
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Finally picked this up. I was going to get it as an ebook, but when I saw the content in hardback, I knew I needed it. It was a Valentine‘s gift to myself. 😅

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Roary47
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Hello #GroupS #LMPBC Here is what I already have on my shelves. Would either of these be something you would want to read? @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @fredthemoose @mnjacques @suvata

fredthemoose Yay! Excited to do this! I would@love to read the Mr. Rogers book. I listened to Greenlights but wouldn‘t mind a second go. 3y
fredthemoose Crying in H Mart is one that‘s been on my list for awhile. But I like a lot of biography/memoir—presidents (most maybe a little chunky for 1/month), musicians, chefs, celebrities, writers, random people with interesting stories… 3y
See All 8 Comments
BeckyWithTheGoodBooks Either of these choices would be great for me!! Crying In H Mart is on my list too @fredthemoose 3y
mnjacques I would love to read the mr. rogers book too! 3y
Roary47 I‘ll start off Mr. Rogers so everyone is reading something new. Crying in H Mart has intrigued me too @mnjacques @fredthemoose @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks 3y
fredthemoose Is everyone okay if I start with Crying in H Mart then? @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @mnjacques @Roary47 (edited) 3y
Roary47 @fredthemoose I‘m good with it. 3y
16 likes8 comments
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rather_be_reading
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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All 275 books!

she.hearts.horror Beautiful 3y
59 likes1 comment
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rather_be_reading
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Fav NonFiction of 2021

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rather_be_reading
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Top 10 of 2021

Jensol77 Totally agree with Four Winds 3y
42 likes1 comment
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nikirtehsuxlol
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Listening to this 💎 gem 💎 on CD. I don‘t know if these stories are true but the audio version is an EXPERIENCE 👍

2 likes1 stack add
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Addison_Reads
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I listened to this book and I highly recommend it that way for others because McConaughey does such a great job narrating.

This isn't a memoir, which I didn't realize when I started. The short stories about his life are at times fun, uplifting, sad, tense, and a whole range of other emotions. He also offers insight to how he lives, like words of wisdom for life.

Much more enjoyable than I expected.

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MaggieCarr
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Loved these snippets into his history and current way of life. The book style is definitely unique, almost like a mashup of memories while also interrupting himself and these stories with blurbs, poems, thoughts and declarations. Many of which resonated with me in some way. Kinda bummed it wasn't a longer read.

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freeatlast1137
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book. I had never been the greatest fan of Matthew McConaughey, and my only interaction with him was at ACL many years ago and he was dancing to a band right in front of my view of the band. I was annoyed to say the least.

But listening to this it makes me realize that he worked hard for his good luck and green lights to be where he is at today. It‘s a fun audiobook narrated by him.

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Ms_Ashley
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Southern, God-fearing, rebel, ruled by outlaw logic, grounded, but a loose canon when the situation calls for it! A risk taker and deep thinker, ready to grab and opportunity and chase a wet dream (spoiler), lol. Masterful!!

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AvidReader25
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I‘m not a huge McConaughey fan but our upcoming Texas trip & many rave reviews made me pick up the audio version. I could have skipped his advice sections, but his crazy stories were excellent! From bird CPR to floating down the Amazon to taking meetings while driving cross country, he shares his wild stories with his trademark relaxed attitude & optimistic glee at the unexpected nature of life. Incredibly entertaining even if you don‘t know him.

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Gina
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel bestselling week ending in Sept 4th...

Greenlights has been on this list for 12 months. I don't read celebrity books but I need to know what is so special about this one.

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OneCent76
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Matthew is such a good storyteller. I listened to the book and he narrates it which made this book 100x better. It's not a memoir or a self help book, but stories from his life mixed in with bumper sticker wisdom. This book got me out of a reading slump. Greenlight.

36 likes1 stack add
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fredthemoose
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I went back and forth between really enjoying this and being a little irked by it. This is his story and he tells it well (the audiobook is great), but some of the places where he tried translating his experience into general guiding principles fell flat. I‘m not sure how broadly his experience as a happy-go-lucky golden boy with financial resources translates, and he didn‘t really acknowledge that it might not, but beyond that, a fun listen.

BookBosomed1 I echo this review. I stopped 1/2 way through bc the Southern golden boy who has a very privileged lifestyle narrative was irritating me. If he‘d been transparent and reflective about all of that, I might have been more open to the message he was trying to communicate. (edited) 3y
fredthemoose @BookBosomed1 totally agree! As a story it was fun. As a life manual, well, not many of us can work for two months and then go on a road trip or to the Amazon or Africa to find ourselves for weeks at a time. 🤷‍♀️ 3y
OneCent76 He started out saying it wasn't a memoir or a self help book... also, he was telling stories from his life. I'm not sure it was needed to preface everything with "I know I'm a privileged sob". It was kind of understood lol 3y
fredthemoose He might have said that, but telling stories from his life IS a memoir and the description calls it a “guide to catching more greenlights,” which had a self-help essence. Overall I enjoyed it (I gave it a pick!) but it would have landed better for me with a little more recognition that the ways he was able to “get relative” with difficult situations might not be broadly applicable. 3y
32 likes5 comments
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TamTracy
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I‘ve always loved Matthew McConaughey as an actor but also heard a lot of stories about how he lived his life unconventionally. I loved hearing these stories first hand and what he‘s learned throughout his life. I listened to the audiobook because I love hearing authors (especially with a voice like his) read their story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CoverToCoverGirl Fantastic audiobook! 3y
64 likes1 comment
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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

You really must LISTEN to the audiobook read by McConaughey! What a complete and entertaining delight! Loved it.

30 likes1 stack add
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KateD1
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Mehso-so

I always post pictures of books, but since getting this cute stinker, my reading has gone down.
I finally finished Greenlights. It was pretty good, thought I‘ve heard that audio is the way to go with it.

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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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I was listening to Mayim Bialik‘s Breakdown podcast with McConaughey and she made this book sound so interesting (and well he did too) so I put a hold on the library audiobook. It already came in and OMG you have to LISTEN to him read this. It‘s been a total trip already and I‘m just about one hour in.

26 likes2 stack adds
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CRR
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

Alright alright alright. Good book. Interesting stories. Part travel journal, part motivational speech, and part philosophical manifesto. Interesting for sure. Fun read.

shmreads I loved this book too! This and Black Box (Shiori Ito) has been two of the best reads for me this year. 3y
34 likes1 comment
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The.Great.Catsby
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Pickpick

I LOVED this book.
I won't lie. There were some parts that were super cringey for me and I wanted so badly to fast forward. But like everything in life, that passed. Greenlight.
I want to meet Matthew, but there's a huge chance I wouldn't like him.
This book took me through quite a range of emotions. He really is funny, and I'm glad he narrated the book. I never really thought of him as a serious actor. But clearly, I'm here for the romcoms.

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The.Great.Catsby
Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey
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Really enjoying this book so far 💚

12 likes1 stack add