The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

164 pages

"'To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation.'

This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts." -Back Cover

This was a beautiful little book. I definitely want to read it again, as it is meant to be a fable and I'm sure there are other messages yet to discover in it. One of the ideas that is repeated in this book is that 'wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure.' I don't want to spoil the ending, but I loved where Santiago's treasure was found. Santiago spends his time trying to achieve his Personal Legend, which I took to mean his destiny. In the beginning, he's content to be a shepherd. He has his own flock and he gets to travel, which was always his dream. But in his travels he meets a king who tells him that he will find his treasure near the pyramids of Egypt. The journey there takes him to unexpected places where he meets people who help him fulfill his Personal Legend. Things don't turn out exactly as he expected them to. That resonated especially with me because my own life has taken me to places I never expected but which have led me to where I am today and since I don't believe in coincidence, I think everything happens for a reason and we are led to where God wants us to be. The trick is learning to listen and follow where He leads.

There were some wonderful little gems of wisdom in this book. Next time I read it I want to write more of them down or underline them even though I hate writing in books. A few of the ones that stood out this time were:

"He was sure that it made no difference to her on which day he appeared: for her, every day was the same, and when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises."

"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand."

'''No,' the alchemist answered. 'What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can learn, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream. That's the point at which most people give up. It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one 'dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.' 'Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with the victor's being severely tested.' The boy remembered on old proverb from his country. It said that the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn."

'''You are wise, because you observe everything from a distance,' the boy said. 'But you don't know about love. If there hadn't been a sixth day, man would not exist; copper would always be just copper, and lead just lead. It's true that everything has its Personal Legend, but one day that Personal Legend will be realized. So each thing has to transform itself into something better, and to acquire a new Personal Legend, until, someday, the Soul of the World becomes one thing only.'
The sun thought about that, and decided to shine more brightly. The wind, which was enjoying the conversation, started to blow with greater force, so that the sun would not blind the boy.
'This is why alchemy exists,' the boy said. 'So that everyone will search for his treasure, find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Lead will play its role until the world has no further need for lead; and then lead will have to turn itself into gold.'"

The Great and Terrible books #4-6 by Chris Stewart, 1005 pages total

I'm lumping these books together because I couldn't take time to write about one before starting the next one. This book series is a fictionalized story of the conflict during the Last Days between good and evil. It is written by an LDS author. I loved it. There was action, suspense and drama that made them difficult to put down. There was also a lot of heart and emotion. The characters were well written and you instantly fell in love with them. (I might have a little crush on Sam.) There was also heartache. I cried. I love it when a book makes me cry.

What I enjoyed most about this series is that it was a good representation of some of the truths I believe and those truths were written in a way that made me think differently about them and recommit myself to them. Satan and his angels were very real in these books and yet the overwhelming theme of the story is how hopeless their battle is. (I love the final paragraph in book six.) They will not win in the end and they only win in our lives if we let them. It was a story of hope and perseverance and I'd highly recommend it, but just be warned - if you're like me, my mom, my grandma and some of my sisters, you won't be able to put them down.

The Second Sun by Chris Stewart, 443 pages

"Azadeh Pahlavi is alone in the world. Having seen her father brutally murdered and her village torn apart by terrorists, she now finds herself outcast. Without heavenly help, she will surely not live to fulfill her mission on the earth. Can she find her way to safety despite the buffetings of Satan?

Sam Brighton, a member of the Delta Forces special unit that arrived too late to save Azadeh's village from destruction, is haunted by the continual horrors he observes in his work. Although he despairs of being able to make a real difference, his belief in the cause of freedom keeps him going. The same is true of Sam's foster father, Major General Neil Brighton, whose work at the White House has become a nearly round-the-clock commitment. Troubling dreams, coupled with growing suspicions about Prince Abdullah al-Rahman of Saudi Arabia, have begun to alarm General Brighton, but his leaders seem determined to ignore his urgings for caution.

Meanwhile, Prince Abdullah, having cleared his way to the throne of Saudi Arabia through murder and intrigue, is now aligning himself with other evil leaders throughout the Middle East to bring down not just Israel, but the United States as well. Their wicked plot, inspired by Lucifer himself, threatens to plunge the entire world into chaos and destruction - destruction in which the U.S. would not be spared." -Book Jacket

This is book 3 of The Great and Terrible series. It was lost in the mail for over a month! My mom and I are both relieved it finally arrived on my doorstep. I'm really enjoying this series. It's much more believable, for me at least, than Left Behind was. The world conflict begins in this book and the main characters are caught in the middle. I'm very interested to see how some of them will find their way back to each other. Now I'm going to have to wait for book 4, but that's okay because next up is Catching Fire!

The Brothers by Chris Stewart, 208 pages

"As Peter read the charges against Lucifer, the enormous chamber remained deadly still. Everyone knew what the charges would be, for there were no more secrets among the children of God, and the evidence was damning, entirely whole, and complete.

Satan was indeed in open rebellion. He was seeking not only to destroy the souls of all who would follow, but to bring down and destroy the society of the Father, to take His kingdom and power and glory and claim it all for his own.

And because it was evident, and because he no longer denied it, there was no doubt of the outcome of the Council of God.

Lucifer had to be defeated, his rebellion disbanded and crushed. He could not be reasoned with. There was no common ground. His followers had to give up their sedition and quit converting God's children to their dark paths or be cast out and expelled from the presence of God.

Ammon shivered as he listened to the words Jehovah read. Damned for eternity. Denied their second estate. Cast out, never to be with the Father again.

And so it was that the battle with Satan began." -Back Cover

This is the first book in The Great and Terrible series. (I generally don't recommend reading a series out of order!) I was talking with a friend about this series and she happened to have the first book. Seeing as how we don't have a lot of information about the pre-existence or the war in heaven, Chris Stewart's idea of how it might have been was really interesting. So was his description of Satan and his followers. Lucifer is so deceitful and cunning in his attempts to recruit followers and he gets uglier and uglier as the book goes on.

I loved the small description of a heavenly mother. She was written about with so much respect and love. Again, we know hardly anything about her.

I love these books because they make you stop and think about what you believe, how strongly you believe it, and how compelled you are to act on that belief. I can't wait to follow the characters through the rest of the books.

Where Angels Fall by Chris Stewart, 367 pages

"The war that began before we entered mortality is escalating into the final battle for freedom, liberty, and the hearts and souls of all people. Into this world filled with turmoil, our Father will send some of his most valiant servants.

General Neil Brighton is proud of all three of his sons. Ammon and Luke are proving themselves to be men of good worth and intelligence, and Sam, Neil's adopted son, has already achieved honors and recognition in the demanding ranks of the military's Special Forces Unit. But General Brighton is worried about the sons of King Fahd bin Saud Faysal of Saudi Arabia. Both sons have plans for the fate of Saudi Arabia; both sons will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. One will plunge the country into war; the other will sacrifice everything to begin the country's transition to democracy.

As these players in the great drama of the last days are drawn inexorably together - for good or for ill - a child is born who may have the power to change the course of history. But will Elizabeth be true to the covenants she has made in the premortal world? Lucifer and his dark angels have not forgotten their promise of retribution and are tireless in their efforts to destroy the Father's valiant souls. Will Elizabeth and her brothers have the strength to withstand the terrible forces of evil that are bent on their destruction?" - Jacket

I told my mom that I could not start another series. I've still got to read Inkdeath. I'm waiting for the 4th Inheritance book. I never did finish the Left Behind series. Catching Fire comes out in a month. I did not want to get involved in another series, but my mom was persistent and I finally caved. How do you say no to your mom?

Where Angels Fall is actually the second book in The Great and Terrible series. She only had the first book on CD and I'm no good at listening to audio books - my mind wanders - so she filled me in on how the story starts and said I could read this book without feeling lost. She was right, but I still want to go back sometime and read book 1.

This series is a little like Left Behind in the sense that it's a story about the last days. Left Behind, however, is all about the book of Revelations and things are taken very literally. Some things were a little far-fetched for me and I couldn't quite get into some aspects of the story. The Great and Terrible series, on the other hand, is very believable and better written.

I was struck by a few things in this book, beliefs that I guess I've always had but hadn't thought about until they were put into words. I've never been a big believer in coincidence. I think most things happen for a reason and in this book you get the sense that a lot of things happen for a reason. The characters become connected in ways that you just know are part of a bigger plan; in essence they find each other on earth.

The second is how Lucifer and his angels work. I know that they tempt and try to lead us astray but I'd never really given much thought to how they do that exactly. In this book they whisper in people's ears, telling them what to do or think. This book is fiction so I'm not saying that this is Gospel truth, but in my mind I don't really see how else they could do it. Satan knows us and our weaknesses and does his best to exploit them. I have thought about this a lot during my day, especially when I do something that is less than my best.

Gospel elements aside, this book was hard to put down and heart-wrenching at the end. Of course now I'm waiting for my mom to finish book 3 so I can borrow it. In the mean time I've got 65 thrift-store finds I can choose from.

The Mark by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 381 pages

"His Excellency Global Community Potentate Nicolae Carpathia is back, this time as Satan. Resurrected and indwelt by the devil himself, it's no more Mr. Nice Guy as the beast tightens his grip as ruler of the world.

Teror comes to the believers in Greece as they are among the first to face a GC loyalty mark application site and its benignly named but hideous death contraption, the loyalty enforcement facilitator.

The gloves are off, and the battle is launched between the forces of good and evil for the very souls of men and women around the globe." -Back Cover

In this book the "loyalty enforcement facilitator" is a fancy term for guillotine and those who refuse to receive the mark are beheaded. There is a heart-wrenching scene in Greece where many of the captured believers must make the choice to refuse the mark and courageously face death. There are several daring escapes and rescues and the Tribulation Force finds itself planning to go face to face with Nicolae. Again, suspenseful and intriguing. The authors definitely interpret the scriptures literally.

The Indwelling by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 389 pages

"The members of the Tribulation Force face their most dangerous challenges. Some are murder suspects; others test the precarious line between subversion and being revealed.

It's the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation. A renowned man is dead, and the world mourns. In heaven, the battle for the ages continues to rage until it spills to earth and hell breaks loose." -Back Cover

I'm not sure these last few books are as well-written and character-driven as the first ones but the series is still entertaining and there's enough suspense with favorite characters to keep me interested. I think I'll be reading different books in between these since there are so many other books I'm anxious to read though!

Assassins by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 413 pages

"In the most explosive episode yet in the continuing drama of those left behind, the Tribulation Force hurtles toward the four murders foretold in prophecy. Antichrist himself is prophesied to suffer a lethal head wound.

As a supernatural horde of 200 million demonic horsemen slays a third of the remaining population, the Tribulation Force prepares for a future as fugitives. Yet another Force member dies, and others join as crises draw them around the globe." -Back Cover

My list of books I want to read when I'm done with this series is getting longer and longer! Must. Finish.

Apollyon by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 399 pages

"The world holds its breath as the Tribulation Force ventures to Jerusalem for the great Meeting of the Witnesses, where tens of thousands defy the Antichrist to sit under the ministry of their pastor-teacher, Tsion Ben-Judah. Meanwhile, Rayford Steele finally discovers the shocking truth about his wife, Amanda, but becomes an international fugitive. The fifth Trumpet Judgment - a plague of scorpion-like locusts led by Apollyon, chief demon of the abyss - is so horrifying that men try to kill themselves but are not allowed to die." -Back Cover

5 down, only 7 more to go... Just when I think I can sneak in another book on my to-read list the next book comes in the mail. Oh well. I'm committed to reading the entire series.

The locusts were a little far-fetched for me and I have a feeling that the other Trumpet Judgments will be as well but this book was as action-packed as books 2 and 3. I'm just glad it didn't leave me hanging at the end. Now I can wait patiently for book 6 to get here.

Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 424 pages

"Rayford Steele and Buck Williams have survived the wrath of the Lamb, a global earthquake in the twenty-first month of the Tribulation. As the world hurtles toward the Trumpet Judgments and the great soul harvest prophesied in the Scripture, Rayford and Buck begin searching for their loved ones from different corners of the world. Soul Harvest takes you from Iraq to America, from six miles in the air to underground shelters, from desert sand to the bottom of the Tigris River, from hope to devastation and back again - all in a search for truth and life." -Back Cover

Book 3 in this series ended right after the earthquake with the reader left wondering what had happened to Chloe and Amanda. This book kept you wondering still until almost halfway through for one character and clear until the end for the other and as a result it was hard for me to put down. This book included hail, fire and blood falling from the sky, a great meteor that landed in the ocean killing 1/3 of the fish, a meteor that poisoned the water, and 1/3 of the trees and grass being scorched. I'm not into that aspect of the books. I am still wrapped up in the characters though and am beginning to feel like I'm being held hostage by this series! I want Nicolae to get what he deserves and I have to find out how it ends for the Tribulation Force and yet there are so many other books I want to read...and I still have 7 left to go!

Nicolae by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 413 pages

"First they were Left Behind.

Then they formed the Tribulation Force.

Now they must face Nicolae.

In Nicolae, the most explosive of the three books thus far, the seven-year tribulation is nearing the end of its first quarter, when prophecy says that 'the wrath of the Lamb' will be poured out upon the earth. Rayford Steele becomes the ears of the tribulation saints at the highest levels of the Carpathia regime. Meanwhile, Buck Williams attempts a dramatic all-night rescue run from Israel through the Sinai that will hold you breathless until the end." -Back Cover

This was by far the best book of the series so far. I couldn't put it down this weekend and even got in trouble with my husband for sneaking in a few pages wherever I could throughout the day! Friends have asked me if I'm actually going to read all 12 books. At first I wasn't sure since there is a movie of these books out there (although the movies of books are never as good as the books themselves) but now I'm convinced that I'll wind up reading all 12, especially when they're available on Amazon for as little as $4.00. I'm invested in finding out what happens to the main characters and this book left you hanging in a big way at the end concerning some of those characters. I'm kicking myself that I didn't order the 4th book at the same time I ordered this one. Now I'll have to wait a week or so but at least I'll get some laundry done and the Halloween decorations put away!

Whether or not you believe all the revelations stuff in this book it is a good, clean story and you really do find yourself caring about the main characters and rooting for them when the odds are definitely against them.

Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 449 pages

"In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Those left behind face war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters so devastating that only one in four people will survive. Odds are even worse for enemies of the Antichrist and his new world order.

Rayford Steele, Buck Williams, Bruce Barnes, and Chloe Steele band together to form the Tribulation Force. Their task is clear, and their goal is nothing less than to stand and fight the enemies of God during the seven most chaotic years the planet will ever see." -Back Cover

This is the second book in the Left Behind series. When I was reading the reviews for this book everyone said it was the least exciting book in the series. I thought it was pretty good although towards the end of it the story jumps ahead 18 months all of sudden. Nicholae Carpathia is such an evil man but in such a subtle way and now that Rayford and Buck are working for him I'm sure the next books will be even more interesting. Something happened in this book that I wasn't expecting so it will be fun to see how that changes the story. This series is an intriguing story of good versus evil.

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 468 pages

"In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Vehicles, suddenly unmanned, careen out of control. People are terror stricken as loved ones vanish before their eyes. In the midst of the global chaos, airline captain Rayford Steele must search for his family, for answers, for truth. As devastating as the disappearances have been, the darkest days may lie ahead." -Back Cover

My mom recommended this book, the first in a 12-book series. This book is a fictional account of what happens at the end of the world according to things found in the book of Revelations. I belong to a different religion than Mr. LaHaye and have my own beliefs of what will happen at the end of the world but I enjoyed this story. I have always been a sucker for tales of good versus evil. I'm drawn to the bravery, courage, and underdoggedness (is that a word?!) of those who fight against evil.

In Left Behind the disappearance of millions of people around the globe is the Rapture, when Christ takes His people up to heaven before the end of the world. The major characters in this book who are left behind, Rayford Steele, his daughter Chloe, journalist Cameron ("Buck") Williams and minister Bruce Barnes have all had loved ones disappear. Each winds up going on his/her own spiritual journey/conversion to understand what's happened and why they were left behind. Bruce Barnes, himself not truly converted until after the Rapture, warns them of what will come, that an Antichrist will rise up who will be a great deceiver and that a 7-year period of destruction and war is coming. This book ends with these characters discovering who the Antichrist is and banding together as the "Tribulation Force" to fight him, hence the title of book 2 - "Tribulation Force." The last few pages are pretty intense.

Of course I will wind up reading this whole series because once you start to care about characters in a book you have to find out what happens to them! Now the question is, do I try to fit in one of the other books sitting on my nightstand waiting to be read while I'm waiting for book 2 to come in the mail or do I wait?! Ah, the reading dilemmas...

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, 172 pages

I have read this book before but it has been several years and I'm sure I didn't appreciate it enough at the time. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. I feel like this book is one of those where you should read only one of Screwtape's letters (a chapter) each day so you can ponder and think about it before going on to the next one - not rush through the whole book in 3 days like I did to get it done for a book club deadline! There is a lot of insight in this book and I would dare say that all of us can find a chapter (or more) in it that gives us a little wakeup call. It is heavy reading as it ought to be since it's all about temptation and leading souls to hell. C.S. Lewis has an incredible vocabulary. I will revisit it in the future when I can really take in each sentence and chapter. You should have a fun and uplifting book in mind to read after finishing this one. I can see why it's not any longer!