THE BOOK I RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE. How The Alchemist found me again and again.
There are books you read once and forget. Then there are books you return to not just to reread, but to re-feel. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is that book for me. It’s the one I recommend to friends who feel stuck, to anyone standing at a crossroads, or even just to someone who wants a story that leaves a mark long after the last page. At its core, The Alchemist is a story about a young shepherd named Santiago who leaves the comfort of his home to follow a dream he saw in a vision. His quest leads him across deserts, through setbacks and strange encounters, toward a treasure buried far from where he started. But the real treasure isn’t gold, it’s who he becomes along the way.
That’s why it’s my go-to book. Not because it hands you all the answers, but because it reminds you that the journey itself matters. It speaks to the dreamers, those willing to risk the known for the hope of something greater. But here’s what the book doesn’t say, and what I’ve come to believe deeply:
Not everyone will take that leap and that’s okay.
Some people choose the stable 9-5 path. Not out of fear, but out of love, for their families, communities and peace of mind. That path is no less worthy. That too is a kind of legend. Maybe quieter. Maybe less shiny. But still brave.
As an African man raised with traditional values, I also found myself reflecting on the gender roles in the story. Santiago sets off on a great adventure. Fatima, the woman he loves, stays behind in the desert, waiting for him. In today’s world, this might feel outdated or even frustrating. But I also see the symbolism: both characters are honoring their roles with purpose. It’s not about who goes or who stays, it’s about knowing what you’re called to do and trusting the other will meet you on the other side. Life is full of contradictions. Some of us leap. Some of us anchor. And sometimes, we do both in different seasons. There’s no one way to live a meaningful life. What The Alchemist reminds me is that whatever path you choose, bold or steady, it deserves to be chosen with intention.
When the Book Finds You
The first time I read The Alchemist, I thought, nice story. The second time, I thought, okay, maybe there’s something here. It wasn’t until later in life when responsibilities became real, when things weren’t going as planned that the book truly clicked. That’s the thing about certain books: if they don’t resonate right away, it’s not because they’re wrong for you. You just might not be ready to receive what they’re offering. Sometimes the book waits for the version of you who can understand it. One quote that hit different as I got older was:
“Everyone has their own way of learning things. His way isn’t the same as mine nor mine as his, but we’re both in search of our Personal Legend and I respect him for that.”
It reminded me that chasing your dream doesn’t have to look like someone else’s path. Whether you’re building in silence or broadcasting every move, the heart of it is the same, we’re all trying. We’re learning. And that alone deserves respect. Another favorite:
“There’s nothing to hold him back except himself.”
It’s a reminder I come back to often. Most times, the biggest thing in our way isn’t the world, it’s us. Our fear. Our doubt. Our need to have it all figured out. But when we shift our attitude and trust ourselves, things start to change. And of course, the iconic line:
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
That one gave me hope again. Because even when the road feels lonely, you start to notice the right people, the right moments, the right nudges showing up when you take your first step. You’re not alone in the pursuit, even when it feels like you are.
The Universal Journey
What makes The Alchemist timeless is that it speaks to all of us. No matter where you come from or where you’re headed, life is happening. Whether you decide to risk it all or take the steady route, you still have a choice to make. And that choice? That’s the beginning of your legend. The book’s theme of self-discovery is what brings us together. You don’t have to be chasing treasure across a desert to understand what it feels like to question your path. To wonder if what you’re doing is it. Or to hear that quiet voice that says, there’s more. I know that voice well.
A few years ago, I lost everything. I had to leave my home country and start over. I became a barista in a new city, brewing coffee before sunrise, trying to save enough money to get back to writing and photography, two passions I’d let go of when life got too heavy. I used to think that detour meant I failed. But looking back now, it was part of the process. A humbling season. A necessary one. The hardest part wasn’t starting over, it was wrestling with myself. Battling doubt. Silencing the voice that asked if maybe I’d missed my chance, but I kept going. And slowly, the dream found its way back to me. And I found my way back to it. That’s the real power of this book. It’s not just about finding treasure, it’s about becoming the kind of person who’s brave enough to keep believing it’s out there.
So if you’re in a place of searching, or stuck, or starting again, The Alchemist might not give you all the answers. But it might remind you that the journey, in all its mess and mystery, is still worth it.
And that, just maybe, the universe is still on your side.
