[3][4] McConaughey exiled himself in the desert without electricity for fifty-two days while writing the book.

[5] Greenlights originated from diaries and journals McConaughey began writing when he was fourteen years old.

[6] McConaughey described the book as a collection of "stories, prayers, poems, people and places and a whole bunch of bumper stickers.

"[11] In their review, The Times of India wrote, "The writing is conversational and easy to read, though this is one book whose audiobook form is worth listening to.

"[12] In an interview with McConaughey, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson said that the book was "a collection of great stories".