I’m not a person who reads many poems, but I do love books deeply and I’m a person who loves films even more deeply. When I realized Matthew McConaughey had written a book, which I found out from a reel he posted where he was narrating a poem while sitting inside a glass panel of a shop, I immediately knew I had to check it out. By the way, to everyone getting confused about my realisation, I did not know about Greenlights up until I came across this book.
As the official synopsis of the book states, “Poems & Prayers” by Matthew McConaughey is an inspiring collection of personal poetry and prayers that offer guidance on finding purpose, hope, and satisfaction in a rapidly changing world, filled with McConaughey’s one-of-a-kindwisdom.
One thing about Matthew is that he has been a face for every generation, thanks to his performances. If you were a person from the ‘90s or the early 2000s who used to watch his films, you would find him in comedic roles. The latter half of the generation, the generation that exists in the now, knows him from his roles in “True Detective” or “Interstellar,” or all the other films that he’s done. Two things are certain: the man can act, and he has an amazingly poetic voice. And now, adding to that, the third sure thing — the man can write.
So, getting into the book was the easiest part. Anything you read, you just have to imagine Matthew literally narrating it to you, and your job’s done. There’s a sense of time and words slowing down when it comes to hearing things in Matthew’s voice. You cannot forcefully read anything fast in this book, which is a good thing. I read one or two poems a day. At times, I would read a few more, but I could never find myself rushing to read or finish this book. Which is why I’d like to mention it right away, before the review gets any further: this is the most essential book I’ve read in a long time, and it was my last book of 2025. But I sure as hell hope that if you’re reading this, it may be your first book of 2026, or at least one of your 2026 reads.
These aren’t pretentious poems. These aren’t writings that someone wrote to milk money off of their fans. No, these are a genuine heartfelt pour out of thoughts, wisdom, and manifestations. I say it in the sense that you can see where these thoughts are coming from. You can see how he’s thinking. You can see what inspires him. These poems alone transport you back into his world in Texas, where he’s building his life and where he is praying and manifesting things and sharing his wisdom and life experiences.
There are a few poems that are a little bit harder to understand, which made me spend a little more time than usual—to which I will say this: every damn second was worth it. This book is one that I will reread and reread in years to come. While I was reading, I found myself clicking pictures and saving so many pages from this book that at one point I felt like I had snapped a bare minimum of half the book. So trust me when I say this: it’s a good book, and it’s quintessential. You will be glad to include this book as a part of your library.
This book is something I’ll hold close to my heart for years to come, because I really feel like my perspective on life has changed after reading this book. I feel enlightened. I feel humble. I feel more determined to pursue my goals, but at the same time, I feel a little relaxed about the travesties of life. There were times when things were difficult for me. And reading a line or two, or a poem or two, that coincidentally came at that difficult time made me calm down and gave me a new perspective on life.
Matthew McConaughey’s “Poems and Prayers” leaves an immense impact on anyone who chooses to read it, and I would most definitely recommend this book. It’s a treasure that slowed me down, lifted me up, and reshaped my world.
