Books Like The Alchemist

If you finished The Alchemist and want more of the same, start here. A shepherd boy travels to Egypt chasing a recurring dream, and learns that the journey was the point.

What tends to stick with readers is its inspiring, escapist and uplifting feel. A fable-like nudge to actually go after the thing you keep putting off. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. The Alchemist is a short, easy-paced read (reading level: beginner-friendly), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

The book you loved

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

7 books you might enjoy

1.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Like The Alchemist, The Little Prince is inspiring. Both carry the #quick-read tag.
Short · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like The Little Prince
2.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
Man's Search for Meaning shares The Alchemist's inspiring appeal. Both carry the #life-changing tag. It's a more demanding read than The Alchemist.
Short · Easy pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like Man's Search for Meaning
3.
Sophie's World
Jostein Gaarder
Sophie's World sits on the same fiction shelf as The Alchemist, with a different approach. The friendliest possible way into philosophy, wrapped in an actual story. Expect a bigger commitment than The Alchemist.
Long · Easy pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like Sophie's World
4.
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
Like The Alchemist, The Midnight Library is inspiring and escapist. It runs a bit longer than The Alchemist.
Medium · Easy pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like The Midnight Library
5.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations shares The Alchemist's inspiring appeal. It's a more demanding read than The Alchemist.
Short · Slow pace · Moderate
Explore this book →Books like Meditations
6.
Norwegian Wood
Haruki Murakami
If it was the escapist side of The Alchemist you loved, Norwegian Wood delivers it too. It runs a bit longer than The Alchemist.
Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like Norwegian Wood
7.
The Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Shadow of the Wind shares The Alchemist's escapist appeal. Expect a bigger commitment than The Alchemist.
Long · Fast pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like The Shadow of the Wind