Review of "Greenlights: A Memoir" by Matthew McConaughey

 

Matthew McConaughey

As his fiftieth birthday approached, American actor and producer Matthew McConaughey decided it was time to share stories about his life, gleaning material from the journals he's been keeping for more than three decades. McConaughey is an optimist whose philosophy is to maneuver around obstacles and look for 'greenlights' - opportunities to get ahead. Matthew's memoir is fun and entertaining.....and liberally sprinkled with bumper sticker phrases he's collected over the years.

I listened to the audiobook, and Matthew is a cheerful narrator who giggles and laughs when he's amused by some aspect of his tale.

McConaughey, the youngest of three sons, grew up in Uvalde, Texas with parents who were always fighting and making up.


Young Matthew McConaughey


Matthew McConaughey's father Jim


Matthew McConaughey with his parents Kay and Jim


Matthew McConaughey with his mother Kay


Matthew McConaughey's brother Mike (aka Rooster)

Matthew is a self-proclaimed mama's boy who loved and respected his ornery father, a tough guy who saw fist fights as a rite of passage. Matthew's dad - who was a hustler himself - taught his boys to fess up if they were caught doing wrong, but ONLY if they were caught. During one summer break, young Matthew made nightly forays into a lumber yard to steal wooden planks and gun nails for a thirteen story tree house. Matthew wasn't caught then, but a subsequent pizza heist, reported by a waitress, got him smacked across the face when he denied it to his pop.


Matthew McConaughey as a youth

Matthew did well in high school, where he played sports, got straight As, dated pretty girls, and was voted most handsome.




Matthew McConaughey was voted most handsome in high school

After graduation, Matthew put off college for a year to be an exchange student in Australia. There, Matthew was placed with an 'insane' family as a sort of joke (those Aussies have an odd sense of humor), and this section of the book is hilarious.

Later, McConaughey ditched regular college to go to film school, and hustled hard to get into show business. The actor's first words on his first film - Dazed and Confused - were 'Alright Alright Alright', a phrase that entered the zeitgeist and will always be associated with Matthew.




The phrase Alright Alright Alright will forever be associated with Matthew McConaughey

McConaughey went on to have success in romantic comedies like The Wedding Planner, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Failure to Launch, and more......and found it hard to break out of this genre for more challenging roles.







Matthew held out, though, and eventually starred in movies like The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, and Dallas Buyers Club - for which he lost about 50 pounds to play an AIDS sufferer. Matthew won an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club in 2014.







McConaughey's filmography is extensive, and his foray into television also went well, with HBO's True Detective.



McConaughey is a restless soul, and between making movies he toured Europe on a motorcycle, floated down the Amazon River, and visited parts of Africa. In Africa, Matthew was lured into a knockdown, drag out wrestling match with a village fighting champion, and - against all odds - Matthew prevailed. After that, as a sign of respect, Matthew's opponent personally walked him (holding hands) to the next village 15 miles away.

McConaughey has lots of humorous anecdotes about himself and his family, such as the night his brother was rousted out of bed by their dad to win a urinating contest (his brother peed highest); the family's lawsuit against a face cream company for giving Matthew acne and scarring him psychologically (the family lost when Matthew's 'most handsome' status came to light); Matthew's mom telling him (for years) that he won the Little Mr. Texas contest when he was really runner up. When Matthew discovered the truth, his mom said the winner's rich family cheated by buying him a new suit; Matthew getting arrested for excessive noise when he was playing the bongos naked; and more.


Matthew McConaughey's mom told him he won the Little Mr. Texas contest

One very funny tale is about Matthew, his dog Ms. Hud, and his brother Patrick going to a golf resort. When Matthew was told 'no dogs allowed', he promptly said Ms. Hud was Patrick's seeing eye dog. Later, when Patrick was caught 'seeing' perfectly well on the golf course, he claimed to have 'night blindness.'


Matthew McConaughey and his dog Ms. Hud

Matthew had lots of fun dating, drinking, gambling, touring, and so on before he decided it was time to settle down. Matthew met Camilla Alves in a California nightclub in 2006, and the couple have been together ever since. They now live in Austin, Texas with their three children.


Matthew McConaughey and Camilla Alves


Matthew McConaughey with Camilla Alves and their children

McConaughey doesn't gossip about celebrity acquaintances, women he's dated, or movie-making scuttlebutt - so readers looking for dirt will be disappointed. But folks wanting to know a bit more about Matthew himself will enjoy the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review of "Fallen: A Kate Burkholder Novel of Suspense" by Linda Castillo

In this 13th book in the Kate Burkholder series, the Police Chief investigates the brutal murder of a woman she knew in the past. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Police Chief Kate Burkholder grew up in an Amish community in Painter's Mill, Ohio but left as a teenager.



After Kate became a law enforcement officer, Painter's Mill offered her a job and she returned to head the police department. Kate's Amish background is advantageous because she speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and is familiar with Amish culture.

The story opens with the murder of thirtyish Rachael Schwartz, who was raised in an Amish family in Painter's Mill. Rachael was banned from the Amish community as a teenager, moved away, and lived a free-wheeling lifestyle. Now Rachael has returned to meet someone, and is brutally beaten to death in her motel room.



When Kate arrives at the crime scene she's shocked to realize she recognizes Rachael.



Kate used to babysit Rachael, and the child was mischievous even as a youngster. Now Kate is horrified to see Rachael's battered body.

Kate and her team process the crime scene, search for the murder weapon, question people in the motel, etc.



Kate also visits Rachael's parents and Rachael's childhood friend Loretta. There are flashbacks to the past, when Rachael and Loretta engaged in rebellious behavior like partying and drinking.



Loretta is now married with a family, and says she's had only sporadic contact with Rachael since she left, and doesn't know why Rachael came back.



SOMEONE is afraid Loretta knows something, however, and threatens her to keep her mouth shut.

The usual favorite characters make an appearance, including Kate's boyfriend John Tomasetti, who works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.....



.....and Kate's police team: Glock, Pickles, Skid, T.J. and Mona (newly promoted from dispatcher to police officer).



I always like the peek into Amish customs, and the Pennsylvania Dutch phrases (which are translated). Linda Castillo doesn't shy away from sensational climaxes that endanger Kate's life, and the Police Chief gets in trouble once again.

For me, the ending stretches credulity a bit, but I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of the series and other mystery lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley, Linda Castillo and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Open Book: A Memoir" by Jessica Simpson

 


Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson is an American pop star, actress, fashion designer, and author. Jessica's father was a Baptist minister, and young Jessica grew up attending nightly services, going to church camps, attending bible schools, and doing mission work with youth groups.


Young Jessica Simpson

In 1993, after the attendees at a church camp sang hymns, the pastor announced 'There's somebody here who's going to use their voice to change the world. They will use their voice to minister to others.' Thirteen-year-old Jessica was sure he meant her. The singer started her career with gospel albums, and went on to become a mainstream star. It wasn't an easy journey though, and Jessica tells her story in 'Open Book.'

Jessica grew up in Texas, with her parents Joe and Tina, and a loving extended family nearby.


Joe and Tina Simpson

As a child, Jessica sometimes stayed at the home of family friends, and an older girl in the house molested her for years. Jessica was afraid to tell her parents, and when she did, they said nothing - though her visits to that family stopped. Unfortunately, the abuse haunted Jessica, and when she confided in a fellow cheerleader in middle school, the girl spread rumors and the bully machine went into high gear, calling Jessica a lesbian and making her life miserable.


Jessica Simpson was a cheerleader in middle school

Perhaps serendipitously, Jessica's music career began soon afterwards, and she was often in Nashville with her parents, recording songs for her first gospel album.


Jessica Simpson's music career began when she was a teenager

Jessica's father gave up his ministry to become her manager, and Jessica' mother accompanied her to concerts and organized her wardrobe. It was during Jessica's teen years - when her career was gearing up - that the singer's substance abuse started, with Tylenol PM (and then Ambien) to help her relax and sleep.


Jessica Simpson with her parents, Joe and Tina

Once Jessica went mainstream with her music, her career skyrocketed. The young singer became the breadwinner of the family, a huge responsibility that weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Jessica was (and is) a devout Christian, and had little experience with men. Thus 18-year-old Jessica was bowled over when she met handsome, 25-year-old singer Nick Lachey, a meeting that was essentially love at first sight for both of them.


Nick Lachey


Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey

Jessica told Nick AND the media that she meant to remain a virgin until she married, and this was fodder for talk shows and interviews for years. (Imagine the whole country discussing your self life! Regrettably, this was a self-inflicted wound.)

Jessica was 22 when she wed Nick, and the couple became the stars of a reality show called 'Newlyweds.'


Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's wedding

The constant presence of film crews and the public scrutiny (and ribbing) put pressure on the marriage, and the couple started to grow apart. Moreover, Jessica filmed 'The Dukes of Hazzard' during this period, and had an 'emotional affair' with her costar Johnny Knoxville.


Johnny Knoxville


Jessica Simpson and Johnny Knoxville

Nick was also rumored to be unfaithful, and the couple divorced soon afterwards. Jessica is very open about her relationship with Nick, and the mistakes they both made. Jessica's drinking and use of prescribed medication ramped up during this period, and became a decades-long coping mechanism.

Jessica wore racy shorts as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard, and this escalated her status as a sex symbol.


Jessica Simpson as Daisy Duke

As often happens with female stars, the public became obsessed with Jessica's weight and appearance. The scrutiny caused Jessica much suffering, particularly after she gained a few pounds and appeared in 'mom jeans' at a chili cookoff in 2009.


Jessica Simpson in 'mom jeans'

The subsequent public hazing went on for over a decade, and though Jessica tried to shake it off - and love herself at any weight - she admits she prefers her public image when she's thin.

After Jessica split from Nick, she had a long relationship with football player Tony Romo.....


Tony Romo


Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo

.....and then dated musician John Mayer.


John Mayer


Jessica Simpson and John Mayer

Both men were controlling and difficult, but Jessica felt compelled to please them, and maybe even 'save them' (in the Christian sense). Mayer was especially diabolical, repeatedly breaking up with Jessica to inspire his songwriting. In 2010, after Jessica and Mayer split for good, the musician gave an explosive interview to Playboy, calling Jessica 'sexual napalm.' This embarrassed Jessica, and heightened Mayer's reputation as a bad boy.

It was during this time that Jessica's father Joe announced he was divorcing his wife Tina. Joe told Jessica that her decision to divorce Nick Lachey years before (unusual for a devout Baptist) emboldened him to take this step.


Joe and Tina Simpson's divorce was finalized in 2013

Jessica hints that her dad later had a boyfriend, but this remains unconfirmed (as far as I know). In any case, Joe and Tina's divorce split the family, and Jessica fired Joe as her manager. The singer remained close to her mother, and still sees her father, but irreparable damage was done.

In the meantime, Jessica's fashion company, which launched in 2005, took off. The business, run largely by Jessica and her mother, soon became worth over a billion dollars.


Jessica Simpson's fashion company took off


Jessica Simpson and her mother Tina head the Simpson fashion business

The success of Jessica's fashion line is due to the fact that it carries a diverse array of goods, is reasonably priced, and caters to women of all sizes. Jessica wants all females to have access to comfortable clothing that looks good. Jessica's singing career waned when she became a fashion mogul, though she remains active in the music business.


Jessica models for her fashion line

In 2010, after her failed relationships with Nick Lachey, Tony Romo, and John Mayer, Jessica met her future husband, former football player Eric Johnson.


Eric Johnson


Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson

Jessica writes about her romance with Eric, their 'Great Expectations' themed wedding, and the birth of their children - who were almost miracles since Jessica had one of her fallopian tubes removed when she was young.


Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson's wedding


Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson with their children

Jessica is candid about her excessive drinking during this time, which would begin before breakfast. The crisis point came when Jessica was too drunk to attend her own Halloween party, a gala affair for children, neighbors, relatives, and friends. It was then that Jessica (and Eric) vowed to stop drinking, and Jessica entered therapy and got help.

There's entertaining name-dropping in the book, and Jessica describes meeting Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling as adolescents, when they all tried out for the Mickey Mouse Club.


Jessica Simpson met budding young stars when she tried out for the Mickey Mouse Club

Jessica is good friends with Willie Nelson, got encouragement from Celine Dion, got moral support from Dolly Parton, and was compared to Beyoncé, who was a teenage celebrity at the time.


Jessica Simpson and Willie Nelson


Celine Dion


Dolly Parton


Young Beyoncé

Jessica also alludes to secret dates with Hollywood celebrities, but doesn't mention their names. To hide from the public, these assignations involved back doors, rented cars, hiding in the rear seat, and other measures to remain under the radar.

There's much more in the book, about the tragic death of Jessica's teenage cousin and best friend Sarah; Jessica's talented sister Ashlee; Jessica's singing gigs and albums; Jessica's USO trips to entertain the troops; Jessica's ongoing Christian faith; Jessica's current happiness with her husband and children; Jessica's tummy tuck after childbirth; the many people who assisted Jessica's career; and so on.


Jessica Simpson with her sister Ashlee


Jessica Simpson having fun with her family

Jessica is very open in the narrative, relating numerous anecdotes about her life, warts and all. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, and when Jessica talks about difficult times you can hear the tears and emotion in her voice. The audiobook also has some of Jessica's songs at the end, which is a nice bonus.

One of Jessica's aims in this book is to empathize with people who are tortured by bullies; criticized for their appearance; in unhappy relationships; or otherwise suffering. She feels their pain, and uses herself as an example of someone who learned to cope....someone who gained strength through adversity.

This is a good book, highly recommended to fans of celebrity memoirs.

Rating: 4 stars