Dad Notes: Own Your Choices. Build Your Future. Be Great.

by P.J. Mellana

Dad Own Your Choices. Build Your Future. Be Great.

Born out of a father’s daily emails to his son during the first year of college, Dad Notes captures timeless lessons about character, resilience, and purpose. What began as short morning reminders of discipline, faith, and ownership has grown into a structured guide for anyone seeking to live wisely and leave a meaningful legacy.

The book is organized into five parts, each focused on a key area of

Foundations of Character — discipline, integrity, responsibility, and habits.

Mindset for Growth — resilience, optimism, focus, and balance.

Building a Life of Wisdom — principles of money, leadership, and decision-making.

Living It Out — daily practices, relationships, and legacy.

Final Words — a personal closing letter on greatness and legacy.

Each chapter weaves together stories, quotes, scripture, and practical steps, ending with clear action points so readers can apply the wisdom in real life.

Rooted in faith but written for a broad audience, Dad Notes is not about formulas or shortcuts. It’s about equipping readers—students, parents, leaders, and lifelong learners—with principles that can be practiced daily and passed down for generations.

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2025

About the author

P.J. Mellana is a husband, father, leader, and lifelong learner who believes wisdom is best measured not by what you know, but by what you live and pass on.

He currently serves as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Bellflower and has worked in the field since 1999, holding leadership roles with the cities of Bellflower, San Ramon, and Glendale. Since becoming a department head in 2012, P.J. has overseen programs in sports, arts, aquatics, youth, senior, and community services—while also leading executive-level initiatives in leadership development, labor negotiations, capital projects, and grants.

He is also the founder of Numbers Don’t Lie Productions, a youth-sports-focused brand providing creative tools and educational resources to support athletes in their college recruitment journey.

His first book, Dad Notes – A Collection of Timeless Life Lessons, began as daily messages of encouragement and wisdom written for his son. What started as a personal legacy project grew into a guide for anyone seeking to live intentionally, lead with integrity, and pursue greatness.

Own Your Choices. Build Your Future. Be Great.

For book inquiries or to stay connected, visit www.DadNotesBook.com
— your hub for updates, requests, and new releases.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mellana breaks things down simply but meaningfully — every chapter feels like a conversation you needed to have.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author uses real-life examples instead of vague advice. You can apply the lessons immediately

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mellana’s tone is supportive, honest, and never judgmental, exactly what many men need.

[Peace Akinola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book by P.J. Mellana

[Clara Bennet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie Benbenek has read and explains the Dad Notes to us during the event, I love the book a lot.

[Kelly Maverick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and Interesting

[All Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet idea by a father.

[Clara Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love how this book by P.J. Mellana.

[Ethan Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book.

[Peace AmaEXP · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book "Dad Notes"

[Rey Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best ever book

[Gomez Santose · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Mellana i would love our book club to feature your next book, i really love how Sophie Explains it, looking forward to feature more book from you.

[Mavs Kreme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, I am Kreme from BooksxBooze Book Club, I really love your book and how Sophie Present it to us.

[Ronnie Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

[Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benedict from BooksxBoooze, I love your book and I wish I had a copy of it.