The Alchemist: 25th Anniversary Edition Hardcover – September 9, 2014

This book was referenced in a conversation with a friend, and I immediately decided I had to read it. Well, I had no idea how much meaning it would bring to me. It brought to me an entirely different lens through which to view life. The Alchemist has become my favorite book, introduced me to my favorite author, and brought back my joy of reading. I'm now over halfway through Coelho's works, and while none have hit me quite as strong as The Alchemist, they are all meaningful to me in their own ways. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Everyone has talked about this book, from Madonna, Pharrell, and Oprah, to my mother. "Life-changing" is what I heard.As a reader, I couldn't resist. It's a book and I love books.From the start I could see that this would be a book I could sink my teeth into. I started out strong, but I kept getting distracted by...everything. The phone, the television, kids, my husband, you name it.Days went by and I hadn't gotten past the third chapter of this very short book that I wanted so desperately to read. Then it hit me! Download the audiobook.I began listening to The Alchemist during my long car rides throughout the city. I feasted on Santiago's journey for two days until the very end. What did I learn? Was it as life-changing as I'd expected it to be?For starters, the book was narrated by Jeremy Irons who did an amazing job! They could not have picked a better person. His voice enriched the life of Santiago.The take away—it didn't change me, per se. I'm not ready to get off the path I'm already on. However, it did reinvigorate my belief in dreams. Hell, I've been a dreamer my whole life. And what do all dreamers know? It's hard, so hard to stay on the path to your dreams until you realize them.Just like Santiago, I have been knocked around by life. I have thought many times, Why write? Why not just continue working as an occupational therapist until retirement? Wouldn't that make life easier?Santiago also considered ditching his plans to seek his treasure to live out his life as a shepherd or work at a crystal shop until some ripe old age.How long is too long to stay on the path to your dreams?I began writing at the age of six. I would have my mom or one of my grandparents cut paper in half for me, and then staple the pages together. Then I would write stories about ants, bugs, and animal adventures in my first grade penmanship. When I turned nine, my mother bought me a thesaurus, a dictionary, and a typewriter. Not dolls or games. What nine year-old gets a typewriter for her birthday?Best gift, ever!In middle school I made up wild and ridiculously fun stories with me as the lead. It was a way of escaping my reality during those tough years. In high school, I began writing scripts. I loved script writing so much, I sent scripts in to NBC at the age of sixteen!When I turned 18 I gave up on my dreams to be "an adult". I listened to voices that were not my own. After college, I concentrated on marriage and kids. I was happy, but something was missing.In 2004, my passion came back to me. I started having the best dreams and I began writing them down. In 2005, I completed my first book! Did it become a bestseller? Nope.By 2007, I was taking a screenwriting class. I was like a teenager again. I took to it with renewed zeal. Without fear I sought representation for my scripts. Sent them to Disney. Did I make a movie? Sell a script? Nope.Fast-forward to 2017, now thirteen years on this path to achieve my dreams! And I have! Well, parts of it. I have indie-published four books, and a fifth one is on the way. I have a growing fan base! Wonderful ladies write to me or post on my social media pages that they love my series and my writing!! It feels amazing to read, and I always try to respond.Did I ever quit? Nope.Why, in the middle of this review did I share my own story with you? Because, I am Santiago. We all are. We are all born with talents and dreams! Every child has a desire and dream of what they want to be. Most of us give dreams up to become "adults". But why? Why can't we be that person? After all, childhood is the most raw, honest, innocent, unbiased time of our life! Who better to pick our destinies then our child selves?"Little D.W." chose my career—a writer. It has been a source of happiness, escape, creativity, passion, and love for me.I still have one foot in the rat race. Imagine how crazy I look right now, running in both directions! But I am Santiago, my treasure is so close that I can smell it, feel it, taste it! I am ready to jump out of the rat race with feet and run at full speed toward my dream.I am Santiago. You are Santiago! Do yourself a favor and pick up this book, it's short and sweet, yet packed with power. You may be a dreamer now or may have been a dreamer once upon a time. Whichever it is, if you are still in the rat race running toward nowhere, I recommend this book to get you back on track. Your treasure, whatever it is for you, is out there waiting for you to go after it!

Heart warming,positive,reflective. The story touches of faith and the high hopes much of us seek in our own life’s to fullfill.

The Alchemist was quite short, but filled with inspiration. There were many lines worth highlighting and remembering, especially when one might need some motivation.The plot deals with a young boy who has a reoccurring dream about treasure near the pyramids in Egypt. He bravely embarks on a journey to seek this treasure, which ends up mainly being the journey itself.I hesitated in reading this book because I’ve known it to be very religious and spiritual, of which i am neither. Nevertheless, the book did not seem to promote a specific religion, with mentions of both Catholicism and Islam. The characters also see quite tolerant of other religions and of foreigners. Although it can sometimes come off as preachy, I appreciate that the book is not trying to necessarily indoctrinate the reader to either religion.Instead, it seems Coelho is mainly trying to inspire readers in following their dreams or life purpose. One of my favorite lines is, “When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.” This line he made me teary eyed, and grounded me in the present. In that moment, i sat back and thought about all the plans i have once i have more money, time off from work, a better schedule, after im done potentially raising a family one day, etc. Of course I’ve always known life is short and i could theoretically go on a plane tomorrow. Yet, i dont, even if i want to.The risks in following one’s dream can make taking that leap impractical. The Alchemist appears at times to be idealistic. It tries to address the practical concerns by having Santiago work for his funds, which takes almost a year, and facing life threatening situations. Still, there are much more factors in reality such as taking care of loved ones, maintaining a career, nourishment, etc. Other factors such as poverty and danger are not really addressed in the book in a way that would quell one’s fears.But, i understand this is merely a tale and not an instructional manual. Despite issues rooted in realism, the book has made me ponder how i can better live in the moment and achieve goals, no matter how small, sooner rather than later. Relatedly, the line, “people not need fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want,” did help calm my uncertainty and criticisms. There may be many unanswered questions in how to attain my goals, but i know i am capable! :)Overall, this was a nice, uplifting read.

"A beautifully written story of following your dreams and listening to your heart. The Alchemist is a timeless and universal tale of self-discovery and transformation."