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Solo Travelers: 10 Reasons to Read The Alchemist

Published March 16, 2011 | By solotraveler
Screen shot 2011 03 09 at 8.27.28 AM Solo Travelers: 10 Reasons to Read The Alchemist

Man Carving his Own Destiny - Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC.

I am completing my second reading The Alchemist Solo Travelers: 10 Reasons to Read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and this time ’round I have highlights on almost every page. It’s a thought-provoking book that is perfect for solo travelers.

I offer you 10 reasons to read it:

  1. “Your Personal Legend” is the theme of the book and the theme on Solo Traveler in April. Read the book to get more out of the posts on Solo Traveler as guest writers riff on the ideas and concepts of Paulo Coelho.
  2. The central character is a solo traveler. He confirms that it’s OK to be unsure of yourself as long as you keep pursuing your personal legend.
  3. It teaches you to turn down the negative noise in your life.
  4. It focuses on the individual and the pursuit of individual dreams as making a positive contribution to the “Soul of the World”.
  5. It shows that obstacles to one’s personal legend are merely obstacles – not blockades.
  6. It challenges you to think about your own personal legend.
  7. It explores the meaning of “living the dream”.
  8. It encourages you not to delay the living of your legend.
  9. It emphasizes constant learning.
  10. It has been read by world leaders and translated into 67 languages – it’s considered an important read.

I hope you’ll read it and enjoy. Let me know what you think. And participate in the comments on Solo Traveler and the Solo Travel Society on Facebook as it is discussed in April.

Related posts:

Posted in A Solo Point of View
  • http://spinsterscompass.wordpress.com Spinster

    Indeed. ;-)

  • solotraveler

    I guess this means it should move up on your list. :)

  • http://spinsterscompass.wordpress.com Spinster

    Never mind – it’s already on my list. :-)

  • http://spinsterscompass.wordpress.com Spinster

    Heard about this book numerous times throughout my life but never read it. Gonna add this to my Goodreads to-read list. Thanks.

  • http://www.farawayeyes.org Scott Hartman

    As a writer (a verbose one at that:), and one who often finds himself “on roads” similar to Coehlo’s (and not just in this book) I appreciate the simplicity of the book. What I admire most is that what he has to say, what he is reminding me of, is done in narrative form. I tend – generally – to give ‘Self Help’ books a wide berth. Many are written a little too scholastically for my liking. Coehlo’s lessons are passed on in a manner that I admire: the “show’, not “tell” manner.

  • http://www.elcerrodesanber.com Alex Sanchez

    I strongly agree with this book because we can learn to assume the character of a solo traveler. And, most important This book also teaches us to downplay the negative votes coming from within themselves. because I feel many negative voices are very annoying my courage to be a solo traveler.

  • solotraveler

    Thanks Andrea. I agree. Many books – whether they’re self-help or whatever, don’t really say much that we don’t already know. But its’ sometimes helpful to hear it again. Why I chose this book for April is because it’s message is so simple and so clear. The individual needs to follow their personal legend. And the obstacles to doing so are so are clearly laid out in four obstacles. Each obstacle will provide the basis for a post. We’ll see how it goes. :)

  • http://www.travellingwren.com Andrea Wren

    I have to be contrary here and say that I wasn’t altogether impressed with The Alchemist. I was actually travelling when I read it, but at a time where I was doing a lot of self-exploration and on something of a spiritual journey.

    I found there was nothing new for me in that book – the messages of it I’d heard before, and it was a little *too* simple for my liking. It seemed too naive, considering some of the reading and learning I’d already done. I sort of feel it’s a ‘starter book’ for spirituality!

  • http://onelittleamericankiwi.blogspot.com Kirstin

    I agree! I read the Alchemist years ago and tried to dig out my copy for a re-read to psych myself up before my year-long trip. Unfortunately, I was unable to find it but still remember the positive impact it had on encouraging me to follow my “personal legend.” Thanks for the reminder, I will have to look for it again some day!

  • http://www.unframedworld.com/ Andrew – The Unframed World

    #3 is the best I think. Too much negativity in the today’s culture.

    This post was convincing and I’m currently looking through some audio book downloads of it to load on my ipod for my upcoming end to end bicycle tour of Japan.

  • Connie

    The Alchemist is a good book to read for travelers! The message is so simple, but so pertinent. I read it last year and found it very inspiring!

  • http://mccooltravel.wordpress.com Charles McCool

    Constant learning and eliminating negative noise are two great ones–plus the other eight. Nice.

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