5 Books to Read If You Love The Alchemist

A rustic wall with Middle Eastern designs that Santiago might have come across during his journies.

If you’re anything like myself — and countless others across the world — the captivating literary classic The Alchemist left you with one distinct problem, wanting more. Fear not, for while there’s no sequel to Coelho’s masterpiece, there is a myriad of other works to provide you with the same feelings of magic, inspiration, and introspection. 

So, if you’re coming off a Paulo Coelho kick and are in desperate need of some recommendations to deal with withdrawal symptoms after reading The Alchemist, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Here are five books to read if you love The Alchemist. 

1. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha is a powerful reimagining of the life of The Buddha. In his distinctly idiosyncratic and magical style, Hesse weaves a powerful tale that mixes themes of classic coming-of-age stories, the hero’s journey, and Buddhist koans. 

If you loved the spiritual aspects of The Alchemist, then Siddhartha is a great choice for your next read. Much like Coelho’s work, Siddhartha sucks you into the protagonist’s world and allows you to reflect on your own life and motives through the trials and wanderings of a fictional character. 

Whether you’re familiar with Buddhism or not, this captivating narrative is an amazing piece of literature to seek out for both pleasure and internal growth. So, if you’re struggling to find a book that fills that The Alchemist-shaped hole in your life, let this book guide you back into a world of spiritual beauty and contemplation. 

2. The Greatest Salesman In the World by Og Mandino

Now, if you’re thinking that it’s blasphemous to have a book on sales in a list of what to read after The Alchemist, you’re going to have to just trust me on this one. While the intention of this book is to teach people how to become better salespeople, it’s unlike any other business book you’ve ever heard of. 

Taking the form of a fictional allegory in which a sacred set of scrolls is passed down by the greatest living salesman, this book is sure to quench your thirst for more books like The Alchemist. Also taking place in a mystical Middle Eastern setting and looking beyond the every day into the more profound and meaningful aspects of life, this gripping allegory is well worth your time. 

And, regardless of your career, the lessons contained in this book are sure to benefit your professional — and likely also personal — life if you put time and intention into utilizing them. If you happen to be in sales and love The Alchemist, well you’re really in for a treat in this spectacular literary work. 

3. Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence

Though it’s not a piece of fiction like other works on this list, this fantastic non-fiction account of Lawrence’s forays into the deserts of Arabia — which the movie Lawrence of Arabia is based on — is an amazing tool to transport yourself into a new world. This is the book for you if you were left wanting to be back in a desert setting after putting down The Alchemist. 

Lawrence’s writing style is magnetic, witty, and insightful making this a truly enthralling read. Not to mention the social and political goings-on that also leave this reading like a real-life version of a spy novel. 

If you’re ready to delve into a new world and get an up close and personal view of some truly fascinating cultures, customs, and outlooks on life, then this is a great next read. Also, for those of you like me who love autobiographical works, this non-fiction tour de force will not disappoint. 

4. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

While people are struck by The Alchemist for many different reasons, one common reason is the book’s unique ability to share profound philosophical wisdom in the form of compelling and easy-to-follow fiction. Another book that does just that is Richard Bach’s Johnathan Livingston Seagull. 

Even when this brilliant work was first published, bookstores had trouble deciding what genre it was. From philosophy shelves to children’s book sections, this touching novella has found itself in many different places, including the hands of countless readers. 

The story follows a seagull who wants more out of life and takes action to find it, much like The Alchemist’s protagonist Santiago. If Coelho’s classic left you wanting more motivational fiction that prompts you to reflect on your own life, decisions, and future, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is the perfect book to curl up with and lose yourself in. 

5. Circe by Madeline Miller

While Circe is a very different book from The Alchemist, they share some key elements that make them great books to read at the same time. The first, and most obvious, is that they’re both superbly written. Personally, after reading Coelho’s masterpiece I definitely craved a work by a fantastic author that kept me hooked from the jump, and Circe provided just that. 

Another important parallel between these two tremendous reads is the fact they both center around protagonists who feel out of place (which many great works of fiction feature) and journeys of self-fulfillment. Though they take place in different settings, these two works both provide readers with intoxicating otherworldliness paired with the perfect amount of relatable emotions. 

If you’re a mythology-lover, then Circe will surely be able to give you the literary fix you’re looking for after the thrill of reading The Alchemist. But, be warned, Madeline Miller — much like Paulo Coelho — is an addicting author, and you’re probably going to go on another reading bender after this compelling masterwork of fiction. 

Don’t Stop Here

While I can personally attest to the awesomeness of the five books on this list, we all have different experiences and tastes. If there’s a particular book on this list that moves you, follow that rabbit hole into new worlds. For example, if you’re struck by Siddhartha maybe read some books on Zen Buddhism by Alan Watts or D.T. Suzuki. If you love Johnathan Livingston Seagull, perhaps give The Little Prince a shot. 

I can’t tell you exactly what it is that made The Alchemist speak to you. However, you can. Think about the elements that made your experience of reading the book extraordinary and follow that thread to find some more books that really scratch that itch.