Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

 

Greenlights

 by Matthew McConaughey  289 pages

Drawing on the Academy Award-winning actor's journals and diaries from the last 40 years, this book presents a uniquely McConaughey approach to achieving success and satisfaction"--

I have always loved McConaughey as an actor,  so I wanted to read more about his life.  Matthew did a great job writing this book,  but I wish he hadn't used so many cuss words.  Enjoyable book. 

The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick

The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick - 355 pages

Oliver Ward is intrigued by reporter Irene Glasson who discovered a dead woman floating in his hotel's pool.  Irene is determined to expose new Hollywood star Nick Tremayne as the killer.  Oliver is determined to protect Irene . . .

This is a historical romance by Jayne Ann Krentz under her pen name Amanda Quick.  She usually writes regency romances.  This is her first romance set in the 1930s and I really enjoyed it.  She tends to write more modern thinking female characters than fit into her usual time period.  So it wasn't as jarring in this book as in some of her other historicals.

The Big Bad Book Of Bill Murray: A Critical Appreciation Of The Wolrd's Finest Actor by Robert Schnakenberg

The Big Bad Book Of Bill Murray: A Critical Appreciation Of The World's Finest Actor by Robert Schnakenberg, 271 pages

This was the second book I have read in the past week on Bill Murray.  I am not a huge Bill Murray fan, but I found him to be a most fascinating fixture at the recent World Series games where the Cubs prevailed to win in a most spectacular victory.  Where the Cubs were, Bill Murray was too. He even gave one of his seats to a fan.  So, I thought who is this funny guy from Chicago?  Bill was born and raised in Chicago, one of nine children. Before I read this book, I had heard things about his drug use and his arrest for drug possession, but I did not know much about the man.  I loved the way this book was written.  This is the first biography I have read that was written alphabetically in dictionary form, from A to Z. Some topics were just under general headings and others were not only roles he has played, but also ones he has turned down.  Some people may not like the way it is written with just random tidbits, but I found this a very entertaining read about someone who would not seem too interesting. There are also many great pictures in this book.

Silver Screen Fiend by Patton Oswalt

Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film by Patton Oswalt - 222 pages

This is a blend of memoir and film studies covering 1995-1999 in the life of comedian / actor Patton Oswalt.  He spent those four years adrift in a sea of classic movies spurning real world connections for those few hours connecting with the projected images.  I found the memoir portions more interesting because a lot of the more esoteric film references eluded me.  It is a fascinating look into a spiral of withdrawal and eventual resurfacing filled with Oswalt's trademark self deprecating humor.  

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris - 294 pages

This is the autobiography of Neil Patrick Harris written as a Choose Your Own Adventure book.  I listened to the audio version of this book - narrated by Neil Patrick Harris.  It was great.  I wasn't sure how they were going to do the format as an audio but it worked.  His narration was great.  I'm looking to forward to finding other audiobooks that he has narrated.

Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas

Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas - 376 pages

Maddy Matthews is determined to escape having to marry the old, lecherous Lord Clifton.  So she runs away from boarding school and gets a job at the Capital Theater -- all so she can be seduced by actor Logan Scott, thereby making it impossible for her to marry.  She would rather be ruined and shamed for the rest of her life than marry someone she loathes.  The only problem with her plan is that Logan Scott doesn't seem interested in seducing her.  In fact, he keeps trying to protect her from himself.
This book takes several secondary characters in Somewhere I'll Find You and ties them together into a story with a new character.  It all comes together pretty well.