Life’s Golden Ticket

Life’s Golden Ticket by Brendon Burchard is a self-help book that helps readers with personal transformation and motivation. He used a fictional character to narrate actionable advice; Burchard aimed to guide readers toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life through his book using his fictional character. While the book has received praise for its inspirational content, it has also faced criticism.
I like that the author used a fictional character to teach readers how to transform their lives and even gave actionable steps.

Spoiler Alert!

In the book, a man receives a golden ticket and an opportunity to transform his life. One of the book’s best parts is the engaging narrative and how the author uses this type of narration to create a format that shows readers ways to change their lives and makes self-help concepts more engaging.

He also provides practical advice through the protagonists’ journey. In the book, the author demonstrates actionable steps, exercises, and reflections using his fictional character as the narrator. Readers can use them to identify their passions and set goals. I especially like the exercises for overcoming obstacles.

The book excels in its ability to inspire and motivate engaging stories and uplifting messages that encourage readers to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams.

The author emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and personal growth throughout the book. Life’s Golden Ticket emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-discovery and motivates readers to reexamine their values to set more meaningful goals, continuous improvement, and development toward a more fulfilling life.

What I would have preferred about the book is that it’s predictable. While the storytelling approach is engaging, some readers may find the plot predictable and misleading. Although effective, the narrative follows a standard arc of personal transformation that may need more originality for some.

This book is helpful because of the potential impact on readers who don’t like the typical nonfiction self-help book.

The book motivates, brings self-awareness, and makes you think more profoundly about your choices, goals, and personal experiences that lead to transformation. It also encourages readers to pursue their dreams and aspirations by focusing on personal growth and goal-setting. It reinforces the idea that change is possible and that people have the power to shape their own destinies if they work hard and set actionable goals.

I think Life’s Golden Ticket offers a compelling blend of narrative and self-help advice that can inspire and motivate readers. I especially loved receiving my golden ticket at the end of the book when I finished reading it.

Here’s to your Golden Ticket!

Bella H.

Life’s Golden Ticket by Brendon Burchard is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn) by Mizuho Kusanagi

Yona is a typical sixteen year old princess who has grown up with sheltered from the world. She is naïve, stubborn, hates her red hair, and can have anything she wants. Yona is in love with her cousin Soowon and doesn’t know her  annoying bodyguard Hak, who is strong at absolutely everything, has feelings for her. She dreams of marrying Soowon one day, and having Hak as her bodyguard forever.

This all changes when she discovers Soowon murdering her peace loving father.

Now, Yona has to escape with Hak and find the legendary four men with the powers of a dragon, who have said to inherited power that assisted the legendary great king with red hair.

Problem is, would these dragons want to cooperate? And if so, would she still want to kill Soowon when she finds them all?

This manga is amazing. Not only does the series live up to its expectations with politics and revenge, but there is a lot of amazing comic relief at the most random of times. For example, Yona is complaining about her hair in the first chapter. Her father asks Hak to cheer her up, and Hak replies that there’s nothing wrong with her hair, but rather her head instead.

Additionally, I love how the author does some really great character transformation on Yona. She learns a lot in her journeys, and goes from weak little girl to strong warrior princess that helps her kingdom, which is really a big change that is not often shown in a main character.

All in all, this manga is a very awesome one to read and very recommended.

-Megan V., 10th grade