If you're looking for an entertaining audiobook that will make you laugh, cry, and think, then you should check out Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. Not only does he narrate the book himself, but he also includes a number of original songs and spoken word pieces that bring the book to life. The audiobook chronicles McConaughey's interesting life, from his childhood in Texas to his Hollywood career. He shares stories about his famous movies, including how he prepared for his role in Dallas Buyers Club and what it was like working with Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. But Greenlights is more than just a memoir; it's also a collection of wisdom and advice that will inspire listeners to chase their dreams and live their best lives. So if you're looking for a motivation boost, be sure to give Greenlights a listen.
"A lively and thought provoking book filled with insights into Matthew's quicksilver and fascinating character. At times humble, others bordering on arrogance, he is always extremely likeable. He shoots from the hip, in a brave and personable way exposes lots about himself. It always feels truthful. There are interesting tales to hear, the book is read by Matthew himself which gives an added dimension of authenticity. An unusual star with deep faith and longlasting love of his wife. Compelling!"
— Cary B (5 out of 5 stars)
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • MORE THAN FOUR MILLION COPIES SOLD! Discover the life-changing memoir that has inspired millions of readers through the Academy Award®–winning actor’s unflinching honesty, unconventional wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.
“The No. 1 celebrity memoir of the past 10 years.”—USA Today
“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.
Download and start listening now!
“McConaughey’s performance is a tour-de-force one-man show…[in] an audiobook that is much like an experimental film…McConaughey charms and enchants with his Texas twang…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile“A brilliant memoir.”
— The Times (London)“Delightfully voicey.”
— GQ magazine“McConaughey’s own story is arguably more interesting than any character he has embodied on the silver screen over the decades.”
— USA Today“An inspired memoir that celebrates the idea that it’s the journey rather than the destination that will fulfill us.”
— Michael Connelly, New York Times bestselling author“McConaughey is a talented actor and a fine writer but a total genius at living. He attacks life with an exhilarating ferocity.”
— Lawrence Wright, New York Times bestselling author“An entertaining autobiography, a delightful adventure story, a very funny comedy, a wise self-help guide, an inspiring argument for love and family, and a candid tale of spiritual and personal discovery. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
— John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, co-author of Conscious LeadershipMatthew McConaughey’s book is exactly what we needed after the frenzy of Campaign 2020. . . . [A] much-needed breather . . . [and] a recuperative journey . . . it is both calming and laugh, laugh, laugh-out-loud funny.
— Hugh Hewitt, The Washington PostA delightful surprise, full of stories that [haven’t] been shared on late night talk shows or made headlines over the years. It’s a wild ride to be sure, but if you enjoy McConaughey and all of the eccentricities and contradictions that come with him, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
— Texas MonthlyA brilliant memoir . . . [Greenlights] is unmistakeably ‘a book that only Matthew McConaughey could have written.’ This is a good thing.
— The Times Magazine (UK)McConaughey’s own story is arguably more interesting than any character he has embodied on the silver screen over the decades.
— USA TodayDelightfully voicey.
— GQ“McConaughey’s approach to memoir is the opposite of careful, instead opting for pure candor. . . . Taken together, the stories in Greenlights paint the picture of someone who could not care less of what the world thinks of him, which has—not coincidentally—resulted in lots of people in the world liking the actor and his work.At its best moments, Greenlights . . . delivers memorable life lessons.
— Pico Iyer, Air MailCandid . . . Greenlights is more than an autobiography, far more than a comedy or a series of adventures. The author gives us a lively look at his life in and out of his movies and provides readers with an honest look at who he is.
— The Florida Times-UnionMcConaughey is a talented actor and a fine writer, but a total genius at living. He attacks life with an exhilarating ferocity. This is a wildly unexpected and delightful book you can’t just read, you have to experience.
— Lawrence Wright, author of The End of OctoberIt shouldn’t surprise you that this book is good, but it will surprise you just how good it is. Wise and entertaining, this is an inspiring memoir and how-to from one of the great outlaw philosophers and artists of our time.
— Ryan Holiday, author of The Daily StoicA Renaissance man on the big screen, McConaughey shows he is the same on the page. Mystical and spiritual but mostly just wonderful, Greenlights is an inspired memoir that celebrates the idea that it’s the journey rather than the destination that will fulfill us.
— Michael Connelly, author of Fair WarningWritten with great intensity and rare candor, Greenlights is a whirlwind of wisdom that’s as singular and fervent as its author. Read the book, experience the behind-the-scenes adventures, then pursue your own greenlights full throttle.
— Shaka Smart, head coach, men’s basketball, The University of Texas at AustinI cannot recommend it highly enough.
— John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, co-author of Conscious Leadership" I love this book. The part that is the best is it is written AND read by Matthew McConaughey himself. I'll probably listen to this book again sometime. "
— JPend, 10/10/2023" This has given me the green light to follow my dreams and be strong. Thanks "
— Hopeful, 9/9/2023" Following Mathew and his experiences was quit exciting Hearing it with his own voice was suooer fun I definitely will hear it again "
— Nina, 8/14/2023" This is a great book. Thoughtful and thought provoking. Love the inside look at an "A-list" actor, and everyday life... "
— Rusty, 2/22/2023" Loved this book, the depth, honesty and insight has me quoting sections to my friends. Much more to this than the Hollywood star persona "
— Picko, 2/12/2023" Attracted by McConaughey-the-actor, happy the book helped to re-confirm his talent by discovering the person behind his characters - a true and real human being with his virtues and flaws, values and principles. Respect. And thanks for sharing. "
— AlexS, 11/23/2022" Great book and and an awesome story! Definitely a must read! "
— BRSVA, 10/10/2022" Very entertaining! Down to earth- had no idea who he was besides his movies. It was nice to hear who he really is outside of the moviescreen. "
— ANR, 5/16/2022" The story is pure and honest, inspiring, un-pretensious and a great guide for life. "
— CPharoah, 4/26/2022" It was entertaining, I liked that he was honest, straight forward, narrated the book himself and had some good lessons in there. Not sure I was as motivational as I wanted, but more of a decent biography. You definitely have to like Matthew M to begin with. "
— Rachel, 10/27/2021" Great book, highly recommend, very entertaining. Matthew does a great job "
— LW, 10/20/2021" I loved this book. It's now my most favorite read of all time. McConaughey is a distinctive and unique narrator, so much so I felt that I knew him personally. His ideas and insight to the drama we call life, is certainly a road map to finding the "Greenlights" and moving along with our own journey. I bought the hardcopy so I could see for myself the bumper stickers!!! Don't miss this book. It's an inspiration... "
— Linda, 8/12/2021" I would highly recommend Greenlights to any adult. The storyline is so compelling and having Matthew narrate his own story is captivating. "
— LAG, 6/28/2021" Thank you Matthew! This book has helped me find myself again. Each breath feels lot sweeter. My spirit feels renewed. I have faith and hope that God has a good plan for my life! I’ll "keep on livin’ “and keep on lovin’ "
— Andres Villanueva , 5/18/2021" I am not sure what I expected, not necessarily a Matthew McConaghey fan, but was intrigued by the title and what he had to say. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, because McConaughey was his true self in the reading, I'm not sure it would have been as good, as a just read book. It inspired, made me laugh, and made me do some deep thinking. I would suggest it for a good trip audiobook. "
— Cheryl D., 5/9/2021" Love hearing his voice. This was my first audiobook. I loved it. "
— M.A.R.D.H., 4/28/2021Matthew McConaughey is an Academy Award–winning actor, 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, he and his wife, Camila, founded the just keep livin Foundation, which helps at-risk high school students make healthier mind, body, and spirit choices. In 2019, he became a professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as minister of culture for the University of Texas and the City of Austin. He is also brand ambassador for Lincoln Motor Company, an owner of the Major League Soccer club Austin FC, and co-creator of his favorite bourbon on the planet, Wild Turkey Longbranch.