From the Bookshelf of Lost In The Plot …

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

Start date: July 1, 2025

Finish date: July 31, 2025

Discussion: July (The Alchemist)

Why we're reading this: As chosen by the lovely members of my Instagram broadcast channel this is July’s read. I can’t wait for t…more
[close] As chosen by the lovely members of my Instagram broadcast channel this is July’s read. I can’t wait for this story to take us on an adventure.

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July (The Alchemist)

July (The Alchemist)
By Iwana Cristal · 22 posts · 135 views

last updated Aug 04, 2025 07:01AM

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Jul 31, 2025 Iwana Cristal rated it liked it

My review of The Alchemist:

This book really put into words a lot of the ways I view life and the way I live it. I truly believe in signs (omens) and listening to one’s gut (or heart) because I have an inkling that my heart already knows the right path to take but also that if I wish (and work) hard enough the right path will present itself. This book presented that entire way of living through a beautiful adventure which I really enjoyed reading. It didn’t teach me a lesson so to say, but had I My review of The Alchemist:

This book really put into words a lot of the ways I view life and the way I live it. I truly believe in signs (omens) and listening to one’s gut (or heart) because I have an inkling that my heart already knows the right path to take but also that if I wish (and work) hard enough the right path will present itself. This book presented that entire way of living through a beautiful adventure which I really enjoyed reading. It didn’t teach me a lesson so to say, but had I found this book earlier in life I’m sure it would have. I didn’t find the book particularly emotional nor did I feel super connected to the characters, but I felt super interested in the story and the adventure that was occurring itself. Which was a different way of enjoying a book than usual but lovely nonetheless. I underlined a couple quotes from the book which stuck out to me:

“We, people's hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later, we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them - the path to their destinies, and to happi-ness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.” - I found this an interesting way to point out that a lot of adults lose this child like wonder and curiosity for adventures and their dreams (which I promise myself not to lose). And also how we are largely in charge of painting our own picture that is life, and we have more power than we realise when it comes to creating the life we want. That same point was pushed on further later on in the book when it stated this:

“The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles.”

I thought this was such a beautiful way to express that you yourself, with enough will and hard work, can get to where you desire to be.

Some others I underlined because I wanted to remember them:

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

‘In response to the boy asking what happens if he doesn’t succeed’
"Then you'll die in the midst of trying to realise your destiny. That's a lot better than dying like millions of other people, who never even knew what their destinies were.
"But don't worry,"

They’re obvious lessons about following your dreams, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t nice to be reminded sometimes. That’s what this book felt like. A reminder that I’m able to achieve my dreams if I work hard, follow my heart and believe :) ...more

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Jul 31, 2025 Emmy Forsberg rated it it was amazing

This book is so moving and its story is so simple yet heartfelt and special. It’s one of those stories that you know will stay with you long after you read it.

I loved being reminded of simpler times before our modern world became so complex and filled with information overload. It’s beautiful the way the main character, “the boy” can so easily categorise all he learns on his journey, from what he learns as a shepherd from his sheep, from his time in the crystal shop, and finally from the desert ...more

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Mar 10, 2025 Angel Charlie rated it it was amazing

I read it twice in one month. To be sincere i dont really remember so much of it but i would love to read it for a 3rd time because i know it left me feeling so much. And also its one of those book where reading 2-3 times makes you notice something you didn’t in the first place.

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