What’s Next

‘What’s Next!’ is a powerful, multi-generational memoir that captures the strength, grit, and quiet determination of one Midwestern family. James Markey invites readers into the lives of farmers, railroad workers, waitresses, war heroes, and resilient mothers who shaped not only his story but the spirit of small-town America. From the fields of rural Tennessee to the bustling energy of Union Station in St. Louis, from wheat farms in Kansas to the streets of Chicago and Detroit, each chapter traces a journey of movement, growth, and transformation. It’s a story of hard-earned wisdom passed from one generation to the next, built on work that mattered and people who never stopped trying. With a steady, honest voice, Markey reflects on childhood, family struggles, love, loss, and what it means to come of age while constantly on the move. He shares the humor, heartbreak, and small victories that shaped him, from Sunday dinners and school dances to basement floods and late-night shifts. Along the way, he shows how ordinary lives can hold extraordinary meaning. This is not just a story about one family. It’s about where we come from, how we keep going, and why the values we carry — integrity, resilience, and gratitude — matter more than ever. If you’ve ever wondered where you belong, this book will feel like home.