The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

A young shepherd boy, Santiago, sets off from Spain to travel to the Egyptian Pyramids he saw in a dream. As he follows his Personal Legend, he encounters many people and obstacles, all of whom add to the journey and his life lessons.

I have read this book before and decided to read it again to rid myself of the unpleasantness left in me by "The Shack". "The Alchemist" was more inspiring to me than anything I found in "The Shack", and did not leave me doubting everything I had ever been taught at church. (I know, I know - everyone loves "The Shack". Everyone but me, I suppose.) Santiago moves along on his journey, learning from everyone he meets and more than once, finds himself ready to give up and go home. But he continues on.

The lessons I took from this book are two: 1. That everyone you meet and every obstacle you encounter is there for a reason. and 2. If you don't follow your Personal Legend, you will spend your life wondering what would have happened if you had.

This is a simple story with powerful lessons. Even if you loved "The Shack", you should check this book out and see what it does for you.