The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life

I'm enjoying this take on journaling throughly. I've been journaling for over 30 years and always enjoy motivating stores and this book doesn't disappoint.After each story by various writers is a journal entry suggestion. (I hesitate to call them prompts as I've never enjoyed journaling prompts.) I must confess I've yet to write a journal entry based on these stories although I plan to. Rather, I'm enjoying all the stories themselves. They are packed with rich mental pictures and metaphors that are a joy to read.Here's just one example:"Over the years, there have been many times when I've been struck still by the grandeur of nature, be it looking into the gaping maw of the Grand Canyon, beholding the sheer force of Niagara Falls, or experiencing the oceanic vastness of the Sahara. It's the sublime: I am made small in the most wonderful way. But now I can also experience that dizzying thrill when I stop and study the magenta-hued pom-pom, or the complex constellations in a sprig of Queen Anne's lace. I am more awake and alive. Less world-weary, more filled with wonder." —The Book of Alchemy p.93The format of the book reminds me of the Whack Pack app ("A Whack on the Side of the Head") I often use to get my creative juices going. There's a story to read and then a few questions afterward to get the mental oil flowing. That's what this book is about.Highly recommended.Note: I purchased the book myself. This is not a paid review.

The author is an incredible woman in her own right. Her story and the essays she’s included will inspire you to rethink your existence. It is the best “self help guide” I’ve ever read.The books kicks off as a guide to “journaling” but when you get about half a dozen essays in, you realize that your journal will become merely the medium for the self-examination, introspection, compass that your therapist (at $200/hour) is trying to get you to do.But: This is self expression that you don’t have to filter - life’s little humiliations or petty victories or maybe the big things. It is all totally yours unless you want to share for whatever reason. The only hang-up is that it’s only as honest and complete as you are. And that isn’t easy. Buy this book; read it and give it to someone you know. Or read it and keep it for the rest of your life.

It's fun to pick up this book and turn to a random page. Every essay is a little gem, displaying its author's close-up on an aspect of life that we may have been cursorily aware of but never paid close attention to. Leafing through this book is a bit like taking a nature walk on which we look very closely, from an unaccustomed angle, at flowers or insects that might have escaped our attention from five feet up. Each piece ends with an invitation to stop on the path and examine, with care and curiosity, one instance of the amazing variety of experiences that life sends our way. Pick up this book. You won't regret it.

This book is a welcome surprise! I did not realize it would contain writing prompts and I've been thinking I wanted to start a casual writing practice - what a win! I loved Between Two Kingdoms so I bought this right when it came out. SO far, loving the writing, the practice, the whole thing.

This book is designed for immediate interaction with quick chapters that have great nuggets of learning/excellent exercises. It's wonderfully set up to encourage writing. A nice gift to anyone who likes to keep a journal.

I got The Book of Alchemy as soon as it was published because I love Suleika’s first book Between Two Kingdoms.It is very interesting because it includes writing from several authors, including her husband Jon Batiste whose music I love.

Suleika never disappoints!She has encouraged me to put pen to paper after too many years.I have been a member of the Isolation Journals since the beginning but I never felt confident enough to contribute. Now I may!

Famous and not so famous writers pen a page or 2 on specifically what helps them when they are creatively blocked, very helpful for writers or any kind of artist.