One Life. Two Roads. The Story of Choosing Your Own Way.

Michael Conte

Route 80

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference

About

My Story

Michael was raised in Queens, caught between the disciplined life his mother offered and the legacy of his father—a man whose world revolved around loyalty, respect, and danger. From lavish weddings that erupt into brawls to road trips that end behind prison walls, Michael’s story unfolds in sharp, cinematic flashes—equal parts grit, glamour, humor, and heartbreak.

When his father is found dead in a prison cell, a final road trip to claim the body becomes more than a farewell—it’s a reckoning. Memories flood in, forcing Michael to confront the pull of the past and the choices that shaped him.

Raw, fast-paced, and laced with dark humor, Route 80 is an honest journey through family, identity, and the cost of loyalty. It's a story about breaking cycles, choosing your own path and realizing that some roads, once taken, change you forever.

Buckle up. This ride doesn't come with brakes.

I.D

Route 80 is an unforgettable ride through the streets of Queens, the pulse of New York, and the heart of a family caught between loyalty, chaos, and redemption. It is a part coming-of-age story, part love letter to family, and part reflection on the powerful forces that shape who we become.

From the first chapter, Conte pulls you into his world — where wedding receptions can turn into full-blown brawls, street wisdom is handed down like family heirlooms, and every road trip holds a story worth telling. His writing is raw, witty, and achingly honest, balancing moments of gut-wrenching reflection with laugh-out-loud humor.

What makes Route 80 so captivating is Conte’s ability to capture the tension between two worlds: the steady love and moral compass of his mother, and the magnetic pull of his father’s dangerous, larger-than-life existence. It’s this “tug of war” that forms the emotional heartbeat of the book.

But here’s the magic — this book isn’t just for one generation. Route 80 speaks to the young and old alike, pulling us back to our childhood memories while offering deep insights that can guide and inspire future generations. It reminds us where we come from, why it matters, and how our stories shape the people who come after us. Whether you’re looking back on your own past or thinking about what wisdom to pass forward, this book delivers.

At its core, Route 80 is about finding your own path, even when the road ahead is littered with detours, temptations, and family history. It’s a deeply human story, one that reminds us all of the importance of courage, love, resilience — and the choices that define us.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, make you reflect, and ultimately make you feel, Route 80 is a must-read. Buckle up — you’re in for one hell of a ride.

Events

Summary

Route 80 by Michael Conte is an action-packed ride that takes readers on a journey through the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of a young man torn between two destinies—one of honor and stability, the other of power and peril.

Raised in Queens, Michael straddles two vastly different paths: his mother’s unwavering moral compass and his father’s intoxicating life, where loyalty is everything and danger lurks behind every handshake. From a picture-perfect Italian wedding that spirals into a parking lot brawl to familiar road trips to prison, the story unravels in a series of cinematic moments—glamour, violence, humor, and heartbreak.

The real turning point comes when a single phone call shatters his world. His father, imprisoned for years, is found dead in his cell. As Michael embarks on one final journey to claim his body, memories of a life spent teetering between two worlds come rushing back. Through razor-sharp storytelling, raw emotion, and true Italian flair, Route 80 explores the cost of loyalty, the weight of legacy, and the road not taken.