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Audiobooks Like The Alchemist to

Expand Your Horizons
Embarking on a spiritual journey of self-exploration? Check out our list
of the best books like The Alchemist to bring along.

By Staff Dec 30, 2020

Since it was published in 1988, The Alchemist

(https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Alchemist-
Audiobook/B002V0Q4LG) has remained a universally relatable work
about what it means to find yourself and reach enlightenment. The tale
of young Santiago following his fortune to achieve self-actualization has
enraptured audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Paulo Coelho RECOMMENDED

(https://www.audible.com/author/Paulo-Coelho/B000AQ3HB8)’s simple
but profound writing style leaves listeners captivated—a style only
heightened by the impeccable narrative performance of prolific stage
and screen actor Jeremy Irons.

If you’re one of the countless fans who’ve fallen in love with this title The Best Black Audiobook
and find yourself wanting more, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Narrators to Listen To Right
list of inspiring stories similar to The Alchemist. Now
(/blog/playlisted/article-best-
black-audiobook-narrators-to-
listen-to)
Siddhartha

Escape From Our Echo

Chambers Starts With
Listening Greatness
(/blog/arts-culture/escape-
from-our-echo-chambers-
starts-with-listening)

Claire Adam's Debut Novel

(https://audible.com/pd/B002UZYX4C) 'Golden Child' Shows That
No Person Is An Island, Even
Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B002UZYX4C) When Living On One
By Hermann Hesse, Joachim Neugroschel - (/blog/arts-culture/claire-adam-
translator
golden-child-no-one-is-an-
Narrated by Firdous Bamji
island)

00:00 05:00

Nobel Prize winner Herman Hesse’s most famous and influential novel,
Siddhartha contains many of the same core elements as The Alchemist—
among them, a young protagonist seeking the meaning of existence all while
7 Ways You Can Enjoy The
wrestling with the obstacles and temptations of everyday life. Despite being
Baby-Sitters Club
born and raised in a loving, safe, and privileged home, Siddhartha desires
(/blog/the-listening-life/7-ways-
adventure and a deeper understanding of the world. The journey that follows
takes him to extremes, from time with a group of strict ascetics to an to-bsc)
unexpected dive into an opulent life of excess, all in an attempt to understand
how business, love, and spirituality factor in the path to true understanding.
Even after speaking with the reigning Buddha of the time, deemed the most
enlightened being on Earth, Siddartha continues on his journey, asks his own
questions, and seeks his own answers. It serves as a timeless reminder to us
all: enlightenment is just as much about the path as it is the destination.

Life of Pi

(https://audible.com/pd/B074WFWVRZ?
source_code=BLGORWS0107160001)

Principles
(https://audible.com/pd/B074WFWVRZ?
source_code=BLGORWS0107160001)
By Yann Martel
Narrated by Vikas Adam

00:00 05:00

Told from the perspective of a teenage boy, Yann Martel’s Life of Pi is, like
The Alchemist, a fable of a journey filled with magic and danger. The son of a
zookeeper, young Pi Patel has a seemingly endless knowledge of animals, a
passion for stories, and faith in a Higher Power—he practices three religions.
His adventure begins on a cargo ship, when his family sets out from India to
North America, along with four zoo animals bound for new homes. The ship
sinks, and Pi winds up on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean with the other
survivors: a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra, and a Bengal tiger. Soon, only Pi
and the formidable tiger remain, stranded at sea together for more than 200
days. Ultimately, regardless of what really happened, Pi owes his life to the
power of storytelling—and his resilient spirit. Vikas Adams won an
Earphones Award for his performance of this incredible novel; listeners
describe his narration as “outstanding” and "absolutely amazing."

The Celestine Prophecy

(https://audible.com/pd/B002UZNA6E)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B002UZNA6E)
By James Redfield
Narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips

00:00 05:00

Following the unexpected philosophical journey of a nameless adventurer,

The Celestine Prophecy begins deep in the jungle of Peru with the discovery
of an ancient manuscript. The mysterious text contains a profound revelation:
nine insights that hold the key to finding true spiritual fulfillment and helping
mankind live in peace and harmony. This premise is similar to what Santiago
searches for in The Alchemist, but with a significant difference. While Coelho
emphasizes aimlessness as part of the process, James Redfield not only
reveals the secrets to making the world a better place, but also highlights
structured paths available to us all—if we cultivate the discipline to follow
them. Yet, even when the answers are right in front of us, that doesn’t
guarantee understanding, let alone success—the willingness to accept and
follow the teachings, as well as grow along the way, is critical. Narrated by
Lou Diamond Phillips, The Celestine Prophecy reminds listeners to keep a
weather eye on the path ahead to a brighter tomorrow.

The Little Prince

(https://audible.com/pd/B002UZL2D2)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B002UZL2D2)
By Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Richard Howard -
translator
Narrated by Humphrey Bower

00:00 05:00

Self-exploration is not reserved for adults: children have their own journeys
of discovery. The titular little prince, like Santiago, must leave home—in his
case, an asteroid—to find fulfillment. Stung by a betrayal, he sets out to
explore other planets, searching for insight and a cure for his loneliness. He
ultimately lands on Earth in the middle of the Sahara desert. Here, he meets a
pilot whose plane has crashed, and finds a friend. Serving as the story’s
narrator, the pilot recounts the prince’s journey across neighboring asteroid
planets and into the narrow-minded world of grown-ups. On his travels, the
prince meets six adults, ranging from a king to a drunkard. All live alone and
are consumed by pointless pursuits, from ordering people around to striving
to own the stars. While on Earth, the prince learns to forgive and see the
world with his heart. Though written for children, The Little Prince offers
lessons for all ages and makes for a great family listen. Humphrey Bower
narrates this modern classic and, to quote one delighted parent, his
performance "was like listening to a grandfather telling a bedtime story."

The Secret
(https://audible.com/pd/B002V5GN4Y)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B002V5GN4Y)
By Rhonda Byrne
Narrated by Rhonda Byrne

00:00 05:00

The only nonfiction title on our list, The Secret provides real-life examples
and a practical perspective on the quest for fulfillment. Author Rhonda Byrne
was plagued with numerous personal tragedies before she encountered the
results of a mindset employed by Galileo, Beethoven, Edison, Einstein, and
other great thinkers and high achievers. Like attracts like, so think happy
thoughts and happy things will come to you, right? Easier said than done. The
Secret serves as a proof of concept narrative for the law of attraction,
supported by panels of experts and reams of advice. Just as Santiago was
compelled to achieve the higher calling of his personal legend, The Secret
demonstrates how the power to fulfill your destiny is truly within you.

The Time Keeper

(https://audible.com/pd/B0090O8HLQ)

Principles
(https://audible.com/pd/B0090O8HLQ)
By Mitch Albom
Narrated by Dan Stevens

00:00 05:00

Time is elusive—we never feel like we have enough—yet it’s the basis for
everything we know as humans: seasons, workweeks, appointments, how
long your current audiobook is, and beyond. In fact, it’s hard to imagine a
world where time isn’t counted meticulously, and either coveted or
squandered. Mitch Albom’s fictional account follows the man who first dared
defy God, time-wise: the inventor of the clock. Here, listeners encounter a
slightly different religious authority than in The Alchemist, but with its own
amount of authoritative guidance. As punishment, he spends 600 years in
solitude, stuck listening to the wails of those asking for more time. When he’s
finally allowed free, he’s tasked with using his wisdom to help two
individuals—a suicidal teen and a terminally ill man desperate to cheat death
—understand the true power of time. Dan Stevens’ expert narration aids in
Father Time’s mission to help the world understand the ultimate gift of time
when used wisely.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The New

Complete Edition

(https://audible.com/pd/B079MF8JPX)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B079MF8JPX)
By Richard Bach
Narrated by Marcus Lovett

00:00 05:00
All beings experience their own means of self-exploration and achievement
of personal legend, even seagulls. Jonathan Livingston Seagull follows the
avian search for meaning. Along the way, Jonathan meets other prophetic
gulls and expands his knowledge of the world, but never settles in his flight.
He teaches listeners that true self-exploration is a never-ending process—no
journey is ever complete but simply a transition into the next. This audiobook
serves as a healthy reminder for human listeners to spread their wings and fly
to new heights.

The Map of Salt and Stars

(https://audible.com/pd/B0798XT3KB)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B0798XT3KB)
By Zeyn Joukhadar
Narrated by Lara Sawalha

00:00 05:00

The Map of Salt and Stars follows two girls separated by 800 years: Nour is
struggling with the loss of her father, the trials of immigration, and
impending war in the 21st century; Rawiya is a widow’s daughter faced with
alleviating her mother’s poverty and seeking out her personal fortune during
medieval times. Both girls must find themselves during trying times—just as,
in The Alchemist, Fatima must conduct her own journey of discovery while
staying in one place. Though living centuries apart, their paths mirror each
other as they search, ultimately finding that home means being taken far
away from it. For Nour, home is shattered by violence, while Rawiya
willingly leaves her home in order to achieve her destiny and save her family.
Listening to each girl’s journey as they travel along identical paths in
different worlds gives us the opportunity to compare our own journeys and
reflect on how they fit into the fabric of time.

The Murmur of Bees

(https://audible.com/pd/1721357491)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/1721357491)
By Sofia Segovia, Simon Bruni - translation
Narrated by Xe Sands, Angelo Di Loreto

00:00 05:00

Prophecies and divine symbols commonly appear in journeys of self-

exploration, and The Murmur of Bees incorporates this theme from a unique
perspective. Set during the Mexican Revolution and the devastating influenza
of 1918, this audiobook showcases self-exploration and spiritual growth
against the thematic backdrop of magical realism. A baby is discovered under
a bridge in a small village, strangely covered in a coat of bees. When most
villagers denounce the infant as a sign from the devil or bad luck, one family
takes him in and adopts him as their own. As a result, they’re rewarded by his
magical abilities: he can see into the future and assists others in times of
crisis. While this listen deals with painfully real human problems—a
terrifying disease, as well as intolerance and fear of differences—it reminds
us of the importance of seeing the magic and acknowledging the miracles all
around us, especially in times of trouble.

The Water Dancer (Oprah’s Book Club)

(https://audible.com/pd/0525494855)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/0525494855)
By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Narrated by Joe Morton

00:00 05:00

Born in Virginia as one of the “Tasked” (Ta-Nehisi Coates’s euphemism for

slavery), Hiram Walker is gifted with a photographic memory and the
supernatural ability to survive nearly anything. By being in contact with
water and summoning a powerful emotional memory, Hiram can travel
through space in a split second—a power he accidentally unleashes in the
throes of a near drowning. His discovery of this power leads Hiram to
become involved in the Underground Railroad, embarking on a journey that
is deeply personal yet also universal—a journey he shares with all of the
other Tasked and, in many ways, with every African-American born since.
Ta-Nehisi Coates’s fiction debut offers a unique perspective on a human
atrocity we’re all familiar with: the ultimate violation of basic human rights
and dignity. Narrator Joe Morton brings a solemnity to the story that drives
home its profound messages, while the magical elements of Hiram’s journey
add a layer of complexity and wonder to this remarkable novel.

The Shadow of the Wind

(https://audible.com/pd/B002V0QUJC?
source_code=BLGORWS0107160001)

Principles
(https://audible.com/pd/B002V0QUJC?
source_code=BLGORWS0107160001)
By Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Narrated by Jonathan Davis

00:00 05:00

A young boy mourning the loss of his mother, Daniel finds solace in an
abandoned book: The Shadow of the Wind. A sort of story within a story,
Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s work follows Daniel as he gets absorbed in this book and
embarks on a quest to find more books by the author. However, his journey
soon transforms into one of mystery and danger—leading him to a realization
that the world is often not what it seems. Veteran narrator Jonathan Davis
brings his expertise to Daniel’s search and does a flawless job of helping
listeners experience this personal journey of growth and adventure.

The Starless Sea

(https://audible.com/pd/0735207887)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/0735207887)
By Erin Morgenstern
Narrated by Dominic Hoffman, full cast

00:00 05:00

Graduate school can be a life-changing journey—you’re finding your place in

the world and discovering yourself. But for the grad student at the center of
The Starless Sea, the journey is truly epic. While browsing in the library,
Zachary Ezra Rawlins discovers a strange book hidden in the stacks. He’s
enthralled by its tales, and then suddenly taken aback by something within in
its pages: a story from his own childhood. Ready or not, Zachary, much like
Santiago in The Alchemist, is about to embark on a startling journey of
incredible adventure and self-discovery. Keeping the revelations coming, this
audiobook reflects the immense growth Zachary experiences throughout his
journey to find himself, while reminding listeners to keep their eyes and ears
open for the magical, mystical, and mysterious—they might just teach us
something.

The Book of Speculation

(https://audible.com/pd/B00XZ1NFA8)

Principles (https://audible.com/pd/B00XZ1NFA8)
By Erika Swyler
Narrated by Ari Fliakos

00:00 05:00

As the final title on our list drives home, our search for meaning and journeys
of self-exploration are typically beyond our control—though we may take the
first step, the path ahead is filled with unknowns. A young librarian on the
 verge of losing his job, Simon Watson lives alone in his deteriorating family
home long after his parents have died; his sister—a circus performer—never
visits or calls. One day, a mysterious package arrives from an antiquarian
bookseller. Inside is a history of a traveling circus from the 1700s. Along
with the story of doomed lovers, it recounts strange, mystical, and terrifying
happenings—and mentions his grandmother by name. As he reads on, Simon
begins to wonder: Why have so many women in his family, including his
mother, died in the same dreadful fashion? Is there a curse on his family?
And is his sister doomed? The Book of Speculation ultimately leaves us with
this timely reminder: while our personal journeys may differ, we all have
more in common than most of us think.

Up Next

Desus and Mero Talk Knowledge

and Growth in the Land of Humor
The hosts of the 'Bodega Boys' podcast and the hit self-titled
Showtime series share why writing and recording 'God-Level
Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx' was the
perfect evolution for them and their fandom, a.k.a. the
Bodega Hive.

(/blog/interview/desus-and-mero-talk-knowledge-and-growth-in-the-land-of-humor)

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