Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

I was more than intrigued by the publishing campaign for Greenlights. I am not normally interested in memoirs, but this is so much deeper and meatier than your standard memoir! Matthew McConaughey is a bit of a wild child, a throw back to a time when life was a little less frantic, and while not my favourite actor, he is perhaps one of the people I most respect in this world. He lays his entire life open for readers and listeners to share. From the laughter to the tears, the amazing leaps of intelligence that piece together an amazing philosophy on life make this book worth every cent and then some!

I treated myself and got the audiobook. Not only do I get all of McConaughey’s wisdom and life story, but he is actually narrating it. His warm and inviting voice wraps around you, holding your attention rapt while he divulges the priceless information on the business of living that he has gleaned over the years. Greenlights is filled with poetry, prescribed notes for living, bumper stickers and some good ol’ honesty that the world seems to be missing in spades! It is as inviting as the warm golden lamp that sits in the window during a snowstorm to light the way.

Matthew is a unique man, a "McConaissance" man for certain. Not only multi-talented but he excels at so many of those talents! A wild child, as I said, but a father, husband and man who lives freely within the many responsibilities he shoulders. Pick up the book in any of its forms and catch a greenlight or two with this magical man. I highly recommend the ride!

 

 Penguin Random House Canada

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How A Woman Becomes A Lake by Marjorie Celona

It has been quite a while since I have been sucked into a book so quickly and completely. Marjorie Celona has a gift for crafting characters of great such interest and such depth that they seem to belong in the non-fiction section; their emotions and reactions have an amazing realism about them. They are not easy to let go of once you put the book down... or, perhaps, it is the characters holding onto you.

When a woman takes her dog for a morning walk at the lake  in the morning on New Year’s Day, there are numerous directions, complete with various twists and turns the tale can take. These only increase in number when she finds a young boy standing in the snow, alone and freezing, and almost forces him into her car for warmth. Her gorgeous dog is an unwitting lure to the boy.

Neither of them knows at this point that the world is about to shatter and spin out of control in ways that nobody could have predicted. They will both be launched into a lifelong nightmare of silence, although for one of them, it will be all too short.

I honestly cannot see this title in the mystery genre, it is perhaps more fitting for thriller. It is a slow pace, but it is steady and unrelenting. I would highly recommend this title to those who like a good solid read! It kept me a little unbalanced throughout... just when you are sure you know what is coming - nope!

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, BC Canada, author Marjorie Celona’s debut novel, Y, won France’s Grand Prix Littéraire de l’Heroïne, and was nominated for the 2012 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC!

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