Matthew Mcconaughey

“Greenlights,” October 2020

What it covers: Academy Award-winning actor Matthew Mcconaughey knows how to live. His motto in life (and also the name of his charitable foundation) is taken from a line of his character in 1993’s “Dazed and Confused”: “Just keep livin’.” At the time, Mcconaughey was struggling with the death of his father, so the line was particularly meaningful to him. It has stuck with him throughout his life, which he discusses in depth in his memoir “Greenlights.” The book is based on his diaries and is riddled with stories and wisdom from his career spanning nearly four decades.

Best reasons to read: Mcconaughey has built a bit of a reputation: He’s the serious, award-winning leading man, but he’s also a carefree hippie stoner who was once arrested for playing bongo drums in the nude (he definitely touches on this in the book) — and it’s refreshing. The title comes from his belief that if you know how to deal with life’s inevitable challenges, you can enjoy a state of what he calls “catching greenlights.” “Greenlights mean go — advance, carry on, continue . ... In our lives, they are an affirmation of our way. They’re approvals, support, praise . ... We love greenlights. They don’t interfere with our direction.” He continues, “This is a book about catching greenlights and realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green.” Words of wisdom we can all use, particularly after a year like 2020.