follow our dreams.”

“Paulo Coelho, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, is one of the bestselling and most influential authors in the world. His books have sold more than 165 million copies worldwide, have been released in 170 countries, and been translated into 80 languages.”

“Originally written in Portuguese, The Alchemist holds the record as the most translated book by a living author, published in 80 languages including Xhosa, Vietnamese, Hebrew, and Persian.”

“The book spent more than six years on the New York Times bestseller list.”

“THE GREAT AMERICAN READ was an eight-part series that explored and celebrated the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey)” and The Alchemist was on this list.

Last year, members voted for which novelthey would like to read in March. They could choose The Woman in the Window or The Alchemist. The Alchemist was the overwhelming winner for Books and Bagels using an anonymous paper ballot.

Review:The discussion was fantastic! Members stayed longer to continue to discuss their thoughts on The Alchemist. Members had various points of view and different interpretations about the novel. Both the facilitator and one member, unbeknownst to each other, likened the discussion to the poem, The Blind Men and The Elephant:

I.It was six men of IndostanTo learning much inclined,Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind),That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.

II.The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fallAgainst his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl:“God bless me!—but