The Next Good Thing: A True Story of Positivity and Transformation in 10 Lessons

by Marcos Perez, D. Eric Maikranz

The true story of a man whose life is transformed when he takes an unlikely caretaking job for a disabled 87-year-old who is more than he seems. Marcos’s friends used to describe him as a happy family man, a successful graphic artist, and a joyous ukulele player. But then, he lost his marriage and his job, and nearly lost his newly outed transgender son to a suicide attempt after a violent attack by classmates. Marcos receded into a darkening depression as job applications went unanswered and bills piled up. An inability to afford his son’s medication raised Marcos’s anxiety to a breaking point. Desperate, he silently opened himself up to whomever or whatever might be listening and asked for help. The answer he got back from the universe was “Just do the next good thing.” The next morning, he received the email that would change his life. The subject line read simply, “Help our friend Joe.” When Marcos clicked on it, he was surprised to find it was a job offer as a home caregiver to a remarkable 87-year-old named Joe Sabah.This book chronicles the inspirational true story of an old man near the end of his life who found a new friend and offered a lasting gift of 10 life-changing lessons for Marcos to share with others who still need to find their “next good thing.”  

296 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Gus Philpott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

I met Joe Sabah in 1983 at Win/Win Forum, and I used his Gold Form to get several good jobs. I felt Joe's thumb in my back often. Ouch, even now, to finish a third book. This book is "all Joe". Marcos brings Joe back to life for those who knew and loved him, and he shares Joe with those who never got to meet him.

[Nicole Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Marco Perez, a graphic artist, is at the bottom, job lost and no new one in sight, marriage over and a child at risk of suicide, he asks for help. During a mediation session he asks from help from a higher power and receives a message to do "the next good thing". Soon after he sees an ad for a caregiver "Please help our friend Joe" and responds even though the pay is far to low for him to pay his bills. What results is a relationship that helps Marco put his life, and his soul back together.

Joe had has a stroke that has left his body half paralyzed, but as Marco soon learns Joe's physical impairment has not impaired his spirit. On a daily basis with Marco's help he goes out into the world and helps people turn their lives around. As Marco says, Joe did not go from place to place he went from person to person. The ten lessons Marco learns under Joe's tutelage set Marco on a new a rich life as an individual, a parent and an artist.

I just happened on this book at the library on the `New" shelf. At first I thought, that I did not need another feel-good-for-a-day self help book, but the more I dipped into it the more I felt that I needed to read it. I am so glad I did. I put the ten lessons into action every day.

[Lila Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. At first I was unsure if it was what I really wanted to read right now. As I moved through it, I discovered it was what I NEEDED to read. So glad it found me 💕💕

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Next Good Thing is well-explained by its galley, so I find no need to rewrite what has already been eloquently stated. Instead I’ll tell you that this book made me feel like I’d been cracked open, and that my possibilities begin and end with my choices. I found it beautiful in a way that I haven’t experienced since Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays With Morrie, and anything by Matthew Quick.
The author, Marcos Perez, allows us in to a painfully vulnerable time in his life. He didn’t hold back on relating his failures as a spouse, father, and human, which is why this book will hit home for everyone I’ve ever met. Joe’s mentorship lessons were “simple” in theory, yet changing your thoughts is often a harder habit to break them any other. I rooted for everyone in this book. I found myself highlighting most pages. It was emotional and empowering.
Trust that I will recommend this widely both in and outside of the library. I adored it, and I will be keeping Joe alive by actively deciding where I want home base to be on my map.

[Angela Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Net Galley, you tempt me with so many intriguing book descriptions but The Next Best Thing is truly one of the BEST.

Before Marcus meets Joe, he is down on his luck and distressed over family relationships and being fired from his job. He answers a message to become a caregiver to 89 year old Joe.

As Marcus cares for Joe, Joe teaches Marcus about finding your song in life, choosing to be positive, and to look to a higher power. There is much more to Joe than an elderly man living alone. It is Joe who takes care of Marcus and helps him change his outlook on life and the way in which he lives.

Once this book is published, everyone should get their own copy. The book holds so many beautiful reminders that all of us need on a regular basis. I finished it in less than 24 his and you probably will too.

[Laura Bulawski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcos' biography is the true story of a man who lost everything that he treasured, plunging to a financial and emotional bottom. He had aged out of the lucrative job that had brought him prestige and supported his family. Now he was considered obsolete in his field. Yet he still had his pride and a family to support. Out of financial desperation, he took a menial job in a totally different field, helping an elderly man with his activities of daily living. The pay was minimal; cleaning up after an old man was utterly humbling. But this was no ordinary old man as he came to discover. This man led him to find a way of life beyond his wildest dreams.

[Luc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet - and Joe is an amazing inspiration who deserves far wider recognition - but this book was uncomfortable to read on several fronts. Joe's story does not seem to be this author's story to tell, take ownership of it as he does. The frequent Christian and religious references seemed out of place and offputting. The author also repeatedly reveals his transgender son's identity throughout the book, even using his deadname and discussing explicit details of his transition, which seems (like his taking-over of Joe's story) exploitative, particularly of, in this case, a minor who might not want his personal medical story plastered about so publicly a few years from now.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next good thing came into my life at a moment when I needed it. I was at Barnes & Noble when the rustic design of the pages caught my attention, and I decided to pick it up. I truly believe it was God guiding me to this book, as it touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect. It's a beautiful story of faith and learning, showing how the possibilities in our lives begin and end with the choices we make and how we approach life’s situations and challenges. An amazing read—highly recommended!

[Linda Furst · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're in the headspace or in any space that you're open to positiveness and making life better then this is a book to open your eyes and lead you to a better place for life. A true story which makes it more real for everyone interested in learning about living a better life.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perez's life is changed when he becomes the caregiver to an 87-year-old man with an incredibly positive take on life.

[Kirstin G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self help with highly moralized story line, but it came along just when I needed it.

[Phillip Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational!