The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I think this book has been on the paperback bestseller shelves since I started working for Barnes & Noble two and half years ago. I've always been kind of curious about it and finally decided last month that I was going to read it.

This book wasn't exactly what I had expected. I knew that it was a hugely popular novel, but wasn't too familiar with the book itself or what it was about. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I know it was something different. However I really did enjoy the book. It was another quick-read, but Coelho is a good storyteller.

As I was reading this book, which is a story of a young man on a quest to discover his "personal legend," I felt like I wasn't reading a novel, but a story that had been passed down through many generations. I could almost imagine listening to a storyteller sharing this story around a campfire. It had that kind of immortal quality to it. I know now why so many people love this novel.