Some books entertain us for a few hours, while others quietly change the way we think long after we have turned the final page. For me, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho belongs to the second category. For a long time, this novel remained on my reading list. When I finally decided to read it, I expected a simple adventure story about a shepherd searching for treasure. Instead, I discovered a timeless story about dreams, courage, purpose and the choices that shape our lives.