I am not an avid reader but of late I have been trying to read more

books than I did before.I think for me the problem is not reading a
book but actually taking the step to reading one.Reading is
important because it helps in self development and mental
stimulation.I recently read “The Alchemist” after procrastinating
for along time.I read it at a perfect time after a friend
recommended it.The book is lovely and an inspirational
masterpiece.

About the book

Written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in 1988.It was initially
written and published in Portuguese.It is an international
bestseller and has been translated to more than 70 languages.The
book is relatively short having around 167 pages only.The theme is
about finding one’s destiny or purpose in life.

Plot
The story is about a Shepherd boy from Spain whose name is
Santiago.He keeps getting the same dream about treasures that
are lying in the Pyramids of Egypt.He embarks on a journey to
follow his dream after meeting an old king who offers him magic
stones and advice.Santiago crosses the Mediterranean and Sahara
to find his treasures in Egypt and also accomplish his personal
legend which is his purpose in life.The book details his journey
and the various encounters that he experiences when following his
dream.Throughout the journey, Santiago meets many new people
and a lot of difficulty which ultimately helps him to learn and grow
the entire way.Does he find the treasures in the Pyramids of
Egypt?Yes.

My thoughts
The Alchemist is a fantastic book and the storytelling is
beautiful.The choice of words are impeccable, full of wisdom and
philosophy .I totally loved it .The story is very enchanting and
bursts with optimism which I think is very important in our
lives .The book shows that the journey to your destiny is as
important as the destiny itself.I love how the book emphasizes on
the importance of faith,hope and spirituality through the story of
an ordinary boy.I think this book appeals to everyone because we
all have dreams and sometimes we just want someone to tell us
that they may come true.Overall,”The Alchemist”is a very exciting
fiction novel and it deserves a space at everyone’s bookshelf.

Favorite quotes from the book

“One’s Personal Legend(destiny) is what you have always wanted

to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their
Personal Legend is. “At that point in their lives, everything is clear
and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to
yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their
lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince
them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal
Legend….whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you
really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the
soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.”Paulo Coelho, The
Alchemist

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering
itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of
its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s
encounter with God and with eternity.”Paulo Coelho, The
Alchemist

“If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become
angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people
should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”Paulo
Coelho, The Alchemist
“Love is not to be found in someone else but in ourselves; we
simply awaken it. But in order to do that, we need the other
person.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each
day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It’s just
a matter of paying attention to this miracle.” Paulo Coelho, The
Alchemist

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life
interesting.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve:

the fear of failure.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist