After plowing through “The Lost Symbol” last week, I was looking for something a tad shorter to read. Scanning my bookshelf, my eyes fell on a tiny sliver of a novel that my mom gave me years ago. She and many others have praised the book to me, so I decided that I would give it a go.

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is already considered a classic. Despite the fact that it was only published in 1988 (1994 in English!), many readers have been captivated by “The Alchemist” and it has somewhat of a cult following. You don’t know how many times I have heard “Everyone should read this!” when a customer stumbles upon it at my bookstore. And you know what? They are absolutely right.

Similarly to “The Little Prince” (one of my favs!), “The Alchemist” is a short, simple story with a deep, profound lesson. It begins with the main character, who is only ever referred to as “the boy” in Andalusia. He is a modest shepherd, but through a course of strange events, he decides to travel to Egypt to find treasure that he believes is buried at the pyramids. Along the way, this boy meets several people who influence his journey, including, but not limited to, a gypsy woman, a crystal salesman, a woman of the desert and, of course, an alchemist. The boy is also taught to listen to omens, which speak to him and help guide him to his treasure.

However, it is not the story that is of importance in “The Alchemist.” It is the beautiful lesson that Coelho teaches through this story. Coelho proclaims that everyone on Earth has a Personal Legend, but few ever discover what this legend is and fewer fulfill it. He urges readers to be aware and passionate, living life to the fullest, while working towards their Personal Legend. A charming twist at the end teaches yet another lesson (but I won’t spoil it!). Read More »

If you’ve caught any of my Saturday Reads you already know that I whole-heartedly LOVE books. And it just so happens that some of my most-loved reads are, in fact, love stories. I’m always amazed when I read a book about love and the emotions on the page completely echo the emotions I’ve felt in my heart.

I think love stories are the best example of the power of words; they strike a chord and tug at your heartstrings. As I’ve said before, the mark of a great book is one that can make you FEEL simply with words. So here is my list of the best love stories ever to be published.

1.Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It’s a classic for a reason! Jane Austen’s timeless masterpiece about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy continues to captivate readers almost two centuries after its publication. It is also a great read for anyone interested in history and the society of the era as that is a major player in the novel. It’s a logical love story, but touching and, again, classic!

2. PS, I Love You by Cecilia Ahern

Even though I’m sure everyone has seen the movie, the book is great as well! It is quite different from the movie, making it a worthwhile read regardless. This book is unique because it explores a relationship and love that defies even death. Holly learns to move after her husband, Gerry, dies, but realizes that she will always love him and he will always love her, too. It’s not only heartfelt, but teaches an important lesson that just because a relationship ends, the love may not die off. Read More »