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The Alchemist
The Alchemist | P Coelho, International Editions
The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho While sleeping near a sycamore tree in the sacristy of an abandoned church, Santiago, a shepherd boy, has a recurring dream about a child who tells him that he will find a hidden treasure if he travels to the Egyptian pyramids. An old woman tells Santiago that this dream is prophetic and that he must follow its instructions. Santiago is uncertain, however, since he enjoys the life of a shepherd. Next Santiago meets a mysterious old man who seems able to read his mind. This man introduces himself as Melchizedek, or the King of Salem. He tells Santiago about good and bad omens and says that it is the shepherd boy's duty to pursue his Personal Legend. Melchizedek then gives Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummim, with which to interpret omens. Santiago wavers briefly before selling his flock and purchasing a ticket to Tangier, in northern Africa, to which he travels by boat. Shortly after he arrives there, a thief steals all of Santiago's money, so the shepherd boy decides to look for a way to make enough money to return home. He finds work in the shop of a crystal merchant, where Santiago makes improvements that reap considerable financial rewards. After eleven months of working in the shop, Santiago is unsure of how to proceed. Should he return to Andalusia a rich man and buy more sheep? Or should he cross the vast Sahara in pursuit of the hidden treasure of his dreams? He joins a caravan traveling to Egypt. Santiago meets an Englishman who wants to learn the secret of alchemy, or turning any metal into gold, from a famous alchemist who lives at an oasis on the way to the pyramids. While traveling, Santiago begins listening to the desert and discovering the Soul of the World. The caravan eventually reaches the oasis, and there Santiago meets an Arab girl named Fatima and falls in love with her instantly. The caravan leader gathers the travelers together and tells them that tribal warfare prevents them from continuing their journey. Santiago wanders from the oasis into the desert and, seeing two hawks fighting in the sky, has a vision of an army entering the oasis. Because attacking an oasis is a violation of the rules of the desert, Santiago shares his vision with the oasis's tribal chieftain. Soon afterward, Santiago is confronted by a black-garbed, veiled stranger with a sword, who sits atop a white horse. It is the alchemist. The tribal chieftain arms his men, and they are well-prepared when the oasis is indeed invaded. The alchemist offers to cross the desert with Santiago. Soon the two men enter into an area of intense tribal warfare. Warriors hold the two men captive, but eventually allow them to continue their journey. The alchemist tells Santiago that he needs to return to the oasis, and that the rest of the trip is Santiago's to make alone so that he can claim his Personal Legend. Santiago arrives at the Egyptian pyramids and begins to dig. He finds nothing buried in the ground. Thieves beat Santiago and rob him of his money. After he tells them of his dream, though, one of the thieves recounts his own dream about a buried treasure in the sacristy of an abandoned church. Returning to Andalusia, Santiago goes back to the church where he dreamed of the treasure near the pyramids. He digs where he slept, beneath a sycamore tree, and there it is: Santiago's treasure.
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allenac87
Mehso-so

Typical folk tale

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Cvfrailing
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Pickpick

Following the journey of Santiago, a young shepherd who dreams of discovering his personal legend—a quest for self-discovery and fulfillment. As he travels from Spain to Egypt in search of treasure, he encounters a series of mentors and challenges that impart profound life lessons about destiny, love, and the interconnectedness of all things.

My favorite quote “it‘s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.”

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MysticFaerie
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Mehso-so

3⭐️/5⭐️

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gabriellegabby
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Dreaming of distant lands?

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a dreamer at heart, these books about travel will ignite your adventurous spirit and get you across the globe with just a turn of a page. 🤓

Embark on your journey of self-improvement and introspection and connect with people from different backgrounds on a deeper level. ✈️📖

Travel Through Stories 👉 https://blog.getbookly.com/books-about-travel/

#books #travelthroughbooks

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BC_Dittemore
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Went to Savers yesterday for some back to school shopping. For those who don‘t know it‘s basically like a Goodwill, but a bit more discriminate.

Anyway, I haven‘t been into one for years and I had no idea how well-maintained their book section is. Plus, they are all buy four get a fifth one free!
😅😅
So, yeah, came away with some stuff on mine and the wife‘s TBR, plus a couple classics. Less than $10. Most excited to start the tagged book.

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SarahBookInterrupted
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Pickpick

Amazing! I‘ve been recommended this book for at least 20 years. I‘ve always meant to read it, but I think I finally read this book at the perfect time in my life. It was immensely inspiring. I finished it very quickly and reread parts. I didn‘t write this review until now because it was all still sinking in. If you feel like you‘re in a slump or at a crossroads read this book. It will remind you of the great journey of life and guide you forward.

43 likes2 stack adds
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SarahBookInterrupted
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Virginia is recommending a book that holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author!

https://www.bookinterrupted.com/post/manuscript-monday-the-alchemist

#bookinterrupted #thealchemist #ManuscriptMonday #bookclub #bookrecommendations #bookstoread #guinnessworldrecord

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BoleyBooks
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Tackle the TBR 🤓📚
What are you reading?
#boleybooks #thealchemist #paolocoelho #bookbuds #bookchat

36 likes2 stack adds
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kspenmoll
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In various stages of reading with the “ In process” books.
~Rivalry: 131/355
~Alchemist- finished Part One. Reading with 9th graders.
~Cooking- Chs.1-8
~St. Anne‘s - #audible ch.1
#bookreport

51 likes1 stack add
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

Such a great book! I actually used the highlighter function in my Kindle for important sentences.

And with this, I met my reading goal for the year!

38 likes1 stack add
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MahsaNjm
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Pickpick

🤩👍🏻

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LunaAubry
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“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” ~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

This isn‘t a story about romance but this line is especially poignant and heartfelt. Do not sleep on this book!

#TheAlchemist #Top10 #Fiction

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Super_Jane
The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho
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Pickpick

3.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 Holiday Read No. four

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lynneamch
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Had a wonderful time in Chattanooga, #Tennessee today with #breakfast quiche at Bluegrass Grill, wandered through the Sculpture Garden at Montague Park, and discovered the Book & Cover, a charming little #bookshop on Hanover Street, where I purchased The Alchemist (a long-time #tbr selection). #indybookstore #breakfastandabook

35 likes2 stack adds
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guidosophia
Mehso-so

I feel like by rating this so-so I‘m admitting that I‘m not philosophical or deep enough. That might be true bc I tried so hard to have an epiphany but I just did not. Like I got the point of this book but I didn‘t feel like I learnt much or felt inspired. Oh well

lynneamch Recommend this one instead with a similar message, but so much more real and rich. 1y
6 likes1 comment
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Whollybologna
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Finally getting back into my reading! #spinbingo this was such an interesting read! Very poetic and allegorical 🥰

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
8 likes1 comment
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CaliforniaCay
El Alquimista | Paulo Coelho
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Pickpick

This was the 7th #spanishbook I've read so far on my spanish journey. I read it a couple years ago in English so it was easy to figure out what was going on even if I didn't understand every word. I read every single page out loud and I really noticed an improvement in my pronunciation and even the speed at which I can speak Spanish by the end. Todavía no puedo hablar con fluidez , pero este libro es muy útil porque es muy fácil de entender 🤗

Gissy Qué bien! Pues te recomendó que leas Siddhartha de Herman Hesse. El alquimista pareciera estar inspirada en esa historia pero la de Coelho se desarrolla más desde una perspectiva de occidente y la de Hesse de oriente. I hope you can understand my explanation so you can practice 🤗 1y
CaliforniaCay @Gissy Si entiendo perfectamente! Muchisimas gracias por la recomendación. Leí Siddhartha en inglés hace muchos años para la escuela y me gustó. Así que me encataría leerlo en español ❤️❤️ 1y
Reggie Wow, I‘m so jealous! Way to get better on your Spanish! 1y
Gissy @Reggie I‘m here if you need to practice too🤗 1y
Gissy @Reggie I‘m here if you need to practice too🤗 1y
49 likes5 comments
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mom2bugnbee
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Bailedbailed

Even Jeremy Irons' narration couldn't save this one. Just not for me. 😔

Tamra I tried in print as well and bailed. 1y
lynneamch Love Jeremy Irons so may have been able to give that a so-so. I made it all the way through print version, but in the end had to pan. Kept comparing it to this one that has similar message but so much stronger 1y
28 likes2 comments
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MaggieCarr
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Mehso-so

Aimed for audio but quickly realized there was way too much symbolism for me to efficiently listen & do housework. 😵‍💫 Had to repeat several sections to grasp what was happening but at least I finished.

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LunaAubry
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Pickpick

This is one of the best books I‘ve ever read. It‘s short but full of sage advice and wisdom. The writing is captivating. The ending was perfect. Couldn‘t have asked for better.

“…the world we live in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that‘s where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are.”

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DieAReader
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Mehso-so

#Wardens2023 #ThingsInCommon #BookSpin (May) #BookSpinBingo

Didn‘t know what to expect from this one ‘cause of the hype & tbh I still just don‘t get it🤷🏻‍♀️ I know, #UnpopularOpinion but, ‘is what it is‘.

I‘d give it a 3⭐️ because it was thought provoking & sometimes funny and overall a decent listen with awesome narration by Jeremy Irons😏❤️‍🔥

Ruthiella Oh I hated this book. 😂 I also felt really bad about it, because it is the favorite of a good friend and she loaned me her copy. 2y
ChaoticMissAdventures @Ruthiella I hated it!! I think it might be good for very young people who have never traveled? I read it in my 20s and expected so much from all the hype and I was 💯 underwhelmed. 2y
HeatherBookNerd Not a fan 2y
See All 10 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y
DieAReader @Ruthiella 😬🤫We won‘t tell if you don‘t😉 2y
DieAReader @HeatherBookNerd 😉❤️‍🔥 2y
DieAReader @TheAromaofBooks ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 2y
Deblovestoread You are not alone, I was completely underwhelmed as well. 2y
CoverToCoverGirl Well after that review I‘ll make sure to steer clear of this one. Thanks for the warning. 🙂 2y
DieAReader @CoverToCoverGirl 😉🤓❤️‍🔥 2y
32 likes10 comments
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Sunwren

I‘ve never read this book! I‘m intrigued. I just started it.

11 likes1 stack add
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LatrelWhite
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Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

13 likes2 stack adds
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Simon.Middleton
The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho
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Mehso-so

In the second half, we follow the journey of the shepherd as he begins through the dessert to the pyramids, he finds love, friendship and most importantly he learns to speak the language of the world and completes his personal legend. If you like books that have large themes that require thinking, you will like this book. The author writes the book in 3rd person point of view, as he never uses I but rather “the boy.” It is very interesting

MissYaremcio Good work Simon! 6/6 2y
8 likes1 comment
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BookNerdMama
Panpan

Ok, no woman's destiny is to be a 'woman who waits' on some arsehole traveling around the world to find himself. I hope Paul Coehlo steps on a lego. Barefoot.

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Simon.Middleton
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Pickpick

(Im around halfway through) In the alchemist a regular shepherd begins a journey to the pyramids from Spain to realize his personal legend. Along the way he is greeted by many misfortunes but manages to overcome them all in the name of fulfilling his own legacy. If you like books that are more abstract and have many different ideas, you‘ll like The Alchemist. A theme in this book is pursuing and reaching your goals, as demonstrated by the shepherd

MissYaremcio Nicely done Simon! I would have liked a bit more on the theme, but otherwise good work! CUTE PUPPY!!! 5.5/6 2y
7 likes1 comment
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DHill
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Jeremy Irons‘ voice is so good and adds a whole other layer to this book.

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TheGothiqueLibrarian
Pickpick

Not what I was expecting but I enjoyed this entire adventure on my first audiobook during a road trip. It is a great adventure read following a Shepard and his life, but a little preachy towards the end. Would read again though. 💕

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Curvybookgirl
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Panpan

Sadly this really did not do it for me. I finished it as it was a book club pick otherwise I would have given up on it. Maybe it‘s just me

rwmg No I was in a similar position, only continuing because it was a book club choice, when really I wanted to cast it aside with great force 2y
11 likes1 comment
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SusanLee
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👏🏻📚🙌🏻 2y
12 likes1 comment
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Anchobi413
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Mehso-so

It is not only the goal that‘s important but the journey required to reach the goal. This book was a bit of a slow read for me, but it reminded me of when I was practicing the violin. No matter how much guidance we get from others, in order to get better, it ultimately comes down to finding our own method and style of playing.

9 likes1 stack add
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Aditiii
The Alchemist | P Coelho, International Editions
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Panpan

This is one book that I read just because other people raved about but I did not like it at all. The beginning was intriguing to me but then I just liked it less and less the more I read it.

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godfreytairo
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The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second‘s encounter with God and with eternity.”

#booknerd #booklover #books

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groofay
Panpan

The Alchemist seems just a toxic quasi-parable turned novel. Boy has dream, follows his heart to find his Personal Legend (I got really sick of that phrase), meets a bunch of new age motivational speeches in the desert, and finds the treasure was in the journey itself all along. The universe conspires to help people who *really* look for it, you see, and if you die unfulfilled, welp, sounds like a you problem.

groofay On the positive side, in case you were interested, Jeremy Irons narrates the audiobook. 2y
thereadingpal I hated this book too omg 2y
rwmg Yes, I hated the book too for pretty much the same reasons. People in famines just don't want food enough for the universe to help them. Right. 2y
BookNerdMama YES. 2y
7 likes4 comments
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libraryofjamie
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“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.“

7 likes1 stack add
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Madelpadel

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."

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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

For #readafrica2022 and for the country of #Egypt I selected this one. I have to say this wasn‘t what I thought it was going to be like. This ended up being a wonderful read and I found myself captives by the writing style and the characters. #travelthroughbooks @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

IuliaC I read this one a very long time ago and I remember I loved it 🤩 3y
KristiAhlers @IuliaC I loved it too. I‘m going to go and look at his backlist as I love his writing style 3y
IuliaC Exactly, it's his writing style. I read a couple of his books and enjoyed them all (By the River Piedra I Set Down and Wept, Eleven Minutes, The Zahir, Love) 😊 3y
Librarybelle Great choice! 3y
41 likes1 stack add4 comments
quote
Suchethaaahh
The Alchemist | P Coelho, International Editions
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“It‘s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
—The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

#BookQuotes
#MorningQuotes
#Motivation
#xoxoAllTheWayFromIndia

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Creme_de_la_them
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Pickpick

Book #11 of the year: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

A great book. Easy, light fiction with a positive message and happy ending ❤️ Definitely give this a read.

7 likes1 stack add
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Mahasa
The Alchemist | P Coelho, International Editions
Pickpick

The best

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MK_Liddiard
The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho
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I‘ve been reading this since Christmas, between other books. Good story, reminds me of Pearl S. Buck‘s The Good Earth. The story drags a bit, or perhaps sitting down to read so late in the night is the problem…

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breng_pbs
Pickpick

Homie just turned himself into the wind and said cool

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momchalance
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Because what else do you do when you have to get to your child's school 50 minutes early to get a decent parking spot?
Although I can't imagine this is part of fulfilling my Personal Legend...

AkashaVampie Haha yeah I leave like 30 mins early for my kids 3y
momchalance @AkashaVampie It's wild and we even have our own street for Kindergarten and First Grade. Once she gets to second, I'll be fighting for prime parking on the main street. Maybe by then, I can tell her it's her turn to sit and read, and I'll come after the traffic lightens up, hah! 3y
AkashaVampie @momchalance yeah we have either the street next to the school or the school parking lot. My little guy is in Pre-k so I have to do it on the street (they have designated places to drop off and pick up). 3y
8 likes3 comments
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mackelie
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Pickpick

I think it‘s important to note that it‘s a self-help book.

The story follow a young shepherd who has a dream about a treasure and decides to follow his dream to fulfil his destiny. Along the way, he meets different people and learns how to listen to his heart and omens.

If you are looking for a motivation to follow your dreams this may be a pick for you! Otherwise, you may want to skip this one!

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Cathyloves2read
Pickpick

I heard a lot about this book, and finally decided to try it as an audiobook. It did not disappoint. The story was based on a young shepherd boy going through life and learning many of life‘s secrets. He traveled the world in a quest for treasure. He met many unique characters and learned many valuable lessons along the way. I am glad that I took a chance on take book, as it also taught me a thing or two about what‘s most important in life.