#1. The Alchemist (1993) by Paulo Coelho
Definitely a must read! Coelho was able to immerse us in a mystical journey rich of spiritual teachings. The prose is a fluent invitation for a profound dive within yourself, and at the same time guides you, as he guided Santiago, in an unrelenting pursuit of the essence of life. A captivating story that has touched thousands of readers all over the world and has made the book eternal, only because as the main character travels he encounters different people from whom he could drink from wisdom and lessons that can be applied in all aspects of life.
Synopsis: “The Alchemist tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing opportunity, and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, following our dreams.” By GoodReads.
#2 Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia (2007) by Elizabeth Gilbert
According to Amazon Rating, the Elizabeth Gilbert book displays an amazing 4.4 out of 5, and The New York times have not held back in their compliments either describing the author’s prose as “fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible and makes the reader only too glad to join the posse of friends and devotees who have the pleasure of listening in.”
“And since I am already down there in supplication on the floor, let me hold that position as I reach back in time three years earlier to the moment when this entire story began a moment which also found me in this exact same posture: on my knees, on a floor, praying.” And with that the author lays one of the best emotional enriching stories. Captivating its readers by the curiosity of oneself, embarking in perilous adventurous to ignite our soul and rediscover ourselves. The questions are always the same: What am I supposed to do? Where am I going? And even “Who am I?”. The existential questions burn in our stomach, filling it with butterflies of wanting more and wanting to find path and live a life full of purpose.
Synopsis: “In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want—husband, country home, successful career—but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she was consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success and set out to explore three different aspects of her nature, against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.” By Book Browse.
#3 From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home (2019) by Tembi Locke
When we talk about love, we tend to romanticize it as the fairytales we saw when we were a child. What life comes to teach us is that the road is way more uneven than what it seems. While we embark in this story with the author, it is impossible not share her pain, her sorrows, her happiness, and her recovery. A fascinating teaching on women resiliency. A power that we manage to dig from places never accessed before. This memoir, for more cliché it might seem, is a proof that we should live the present moment, and we should cherish the ones around us that we love. Life is now! And above all we live by love.
Synopsis: “From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home” is a memoir that follows Tembi Locke as she finds a once-in-a-lifetime love, a family, and herself; and then loses the love that changed her world forever. However, in all that loss and grief, she manages to find hope, family, and a home. With lyrical writing; sensual descriptions of Italian food; and a powerful love story that transcends barriers of language, culture, and more; readers can’t help but feel everything with Tembi as she guides us through her journey. A moving, beautiful story that many will connect with, I highly recommend this memoir.” By C.A. Hughes book reviews
# 4 Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail Paperback (2013) by Cheryl Strayed
In the same level, the Wild book snatches a 4.4 star on Amazon Ratings. Now let us be real, we all been there. With the urge of leaving everything behind and not being afraid of what was left behind. A bold move for sure. But can we really do it? Do we have the courage to? Apparently, Cheryl did! And it was not any adventure it was a challenging one, way out of her comfort zone. Facing her fears in the most daring and perilous way. What is asked of us after this inspiring testimony is to take a leap of faith, trust your instincts and believe you’re brave enough. Whatever comes your way will only transform you and put you in a path of rescue of your truer self.
Synopsis: “At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered, and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State — and she would do it alone.” By GoodReads
#5 East of the Sun (2007) by Julia Gregson
The book invites us to discover India on the year of 1928 but it starts by an exciting ship trip where we get to know 3 young girls that left a well-known and comfortable home to meet their fates at an unknown land. East of the sun beautifully unfolds showing great characters, strong women, and obviously heart beating love stories to make us fall in love. This is the type of book to devour in one swoop.
Synopsis: “Autumn 1928. The Kaiser-i-Hind is on route to Bombay. In Cabin D38, Viva Hollowat, an inexperienced chaperone, is worried she's made a terrible mistake. Her advert in The Lady has resulted in three unsettling charges to be escorted to India. Rose, a beautiful, dangerously naive English girl, is about to be married to the cavalry officer she has met only a handful of times. Victoria, the bridesmaid, is determined to lose her virginity on the journey before finding a husband of her own in India. And overshadowing all three of them, the malevolent presence of Guy Glover, a strange and disturbed schoolboy. Three potential Memsahibs with a myriad of reasons for leaving England, but the cargo of hopes and secrets they carry has done little to prepare them for what lies ahead. From the parties of the wealthy Bombay socialites to the poverty of the orphans on Tamarind Street, East of the Sun is everything a historical novel should be alive with glorious detail, fascinating characters and masterful storytelling.” By GoodReads
#6 The Journey of Natty Gann (1985) by Ann Mathews
For a little girl to roam alone in the dangerous streets of Chicago around 1929, in the misdt of the Great Depression, or any time for that matter, Naty the main character shows how fearless and determined an 11-year-old needed to be so she could reunite herself with the only person she knew at the time. A father that driven by fright felt forced to leave his only daughter to get a job that could save their lives. Can you imagine, being left alone with a promise of a better life when the economy crashed everyone’s dream and left room only for desperation and anguish? As a little girl I remember being so scared throughout the whole book, fearing for a little girl as old as me and wishing hard for a happy reunion. That was Naty’s challenging trip to find her father.
#7 Solo: What Running Across Mountains Taught Me About Life by Jenny Tough
Again, another story that will require a lot of courage, and of course physical endurance just like the author and main character of the book, Jenny Tough. But books like this remind us that our strength is not only on our muscles but also in our mind. The author leaves us with the question – Can you do more? How far can you go? – not only to explore the world but also with our life. Is this all or can we do more for ourselves and for the world?
Synopsis: “Jenny Tough is an endurance athlete who's best known for running and cycling in some of world's most challenging events - achieving accolades that are an inspiration to outdoor adventurers everywhere. But SOLO tells the story of a much more personal project: Jenny's quest to come to terms with feelings and emotions that were holding her back. Like runners at any level, she knew already that running made her feel better, and like so many of us, she knew that completing goals independently was empowering, too. So, she set herself an audacious objective: to run - solo, unsupported, on her own - across mountain ranges on six continents, starting with one of the most remote locations on Earth in Kyrgystan.” By Amazon
#8 Letters of Juliet: Celebrating Shakespeare's Greatest Heroine, the Magical City of Verona, and the Power of Love (2010) by Lise Friedman and Ceil Friedman
I’m a romantic at heart so as guilty as charged, I love a good romance story with happy endings specially. Although the great Shakespeare brought us devastating realities, we still consider him a romantic at core. A story as romantic as Romeo and Juliet could be hard to attained, but the Letters of Juliet shows us an immense alternative to connect with lovers just like you. In honor to the place this book takes place and by the hopeless romantics from all over the world this book found its way in this list (no regrets).
Synopsis: “The enduring legend of Shakespeare's pair of star-crossed lovers draws millions of visitors to Verona, Italy, each year. But that is just part of the story. Every day, letters, frequently addressed simply, "Juliet, Verona," arrive in the city. They come by the truckload, in almost every language imaginable, written by romantics seeking Juliet's counsel. Most of the missives talk of love, of course --love found, and love lost, love sought, and love remembered. And, amazingly, not one letter goes unanswered. Letters to Juliet tells the story of these letters and the volunteers who have been writing responses for more than seven decades --volunteers who first acted privately, and who are now sanctioned by the city of Verona as part of the Juliet Club. Featuring more than seventy-five heartfelt letters, this poetic book retraces the history behind Shakespeare's tale and tours the monuments that have fueled the world's enchantment with Juliet and her Romeo.” By Thrift Books
#9 The Kite Runner (2013) by Khaled Hosseini
Heartbreak is one the main feelings after reading this book. In the same page it teaches us about real friendship, forgiveness, and hope. A journey of one boy that is saved with the one that destiny trapped in a country of torments. Even so, the journey back to rectify an old deed and heal old hounds revive our hearts and restore the faith in friends.
Synopsis: “The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies. A sweeping story of family, love, and friendship told against the devastating backdrop of the history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful novel that has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic.” By Khaled Housseini
#10 The Salt Road (2011) by Jane Johnson
This novel launches a dual cultural venture dipped in mystery and peril destinies. The sceneries portraited on the book pages will definitely leave you with a thirst for an adventure of your own, discovering exotic places and fascinating cultures.
Synopsis: “When Isabelle’s estranged father dies, he leaves her the house she grew up in, in the attic of which lies a mysterious box with her name on it. Inside the box are three items: an archaeological paper about an ancient Saharan queen, a faded piece of paper written in what appears to be in Arabic, and a curious piece of antique silver: an amulet.” By Jane Johnson Books.
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