My mother bought me this years and years ago and told me to read it, so naturally, I didn't. I cracked it open only last year, while applying for colleges, and it was just what I needed. It was such a simple little story, but it really changed my perspective on things. At the time, what I pulled away from it was the message to follow your heart and your own Personal Legend. I'm sure the next time I read it, some other part of it will hit me with more force. It's just one of those dynamic readings, where you get something new from it every time you read it.
I gave my copy to a friend who just started college, and told her that, after she's done reading it, if she wants to, she could just pass it on to someone else. It's such an inspirational story, and I think we're at a time when we really need stories like these to snap things back into focus for us.

This book was such a simple story, but I fell in love with it the second I opened it. It was about a simple boy changing his life and the lives around him. I recommend this book to anyone having a tough day, it will cheer you up.

It never ceases to amaze me that the right book appears in my life exactly when needed. I read this in August 1997 while in California on vacation. I knew that I was being pulled to California so my then-spouse and daughter and I made the trek to test the waters. We fell in love while here and moved exactly 3 weeks later.

The thing about the timing of The Alchemist was that I gained perspective on the meaning of the journey. I didn't fear leaving NYC for LA but felt that I probably should be afraid because of the enormity of the move. Then again, I learned that fear creates stagnation. This book increased my level of excitement and afforded me the confidence to trust my intuition. Moving to LA has been one of the best decisions I ever made.

Paulo Coelho is one of our favorite authors and one of the most-read authors in the world. His simple prose is captivating and nothing short of inspiring. In this story, Santiago, a poor shepherd, finds himself on a journey of self-discovery. Among the many teachers he meets on the way, the alchemist reveals a poignant truth: “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.” Another quick read. Enjoy it.