The Book of Alchemy

A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life

De: Suleika Jaouad

Narrado por: Suleika Jaouad, Vidish Athavale, Fabian Cook Jr., Sean Patrick Hopkins, Emma Ladji, Karen Murray, Soneela Nankani, Nikki Patel, Maggi-Meg Reed, Gail Shalan

A guide to the art of journaling—and a meditation on the central questions of life—by the bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms, with contributions from Hanif Abdurraqib, Jon Batiste, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem, George Saunders, and many more

“The Book of Alchemy proves on every page that a creative response can be found in every moment of life—regardless of what is happening in the world.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love

From the time she was young, Suleika Jaouad has kept a journal. She’s used it to mark life's biggest occasions and to weather its most ferocious storms. Journaling has buoyed her through illness, heartbreak, and the deepest uncertainty. And she is not alone: for so many people, keeping a journal is an essential tool for navigating both the personal peaks and valleys and the collective challenges of modern life. More than ever, we need a space for puzzling through.

In The Book of Alchemy, Suleika explores the art of journaling and shares everything she’s learned about how this life-altering practice can help us tap into that mystical trait that exists in every human: creativity. She has gathered wisdom from one hundred writers, artists, and thinkers in the form of essays and writing prompts. Their insights invite us to inhabit a more inspired life.

A companion through challenging times, The Book of Alchemy is broken into themes ranging from new beginnings to love, loss, and rebuilding. Whether you’re a lifelong journaler or new to the practice, this book gives you the tools, direction, and encouragement to engage with discomfort, ask questions, peel back the layers, dream daringly, uncover your truest self—and in doing so, to learn to hold the unbearably brutal and astonishingly beautiful facts of life in the same palm.

Also includes essays from: Martha Beck • Nadia Bolz-Weber • Alain de Botton • Susan Cheever • Lena Dunham • Melissa Febos • Liana Finck • John Green • Marie Howe • Pico Iyer • Oliver Jeffers • Quintin Jones • Michael Koryta • Hanif Kureishi • Kiese Laymon • Cleyvis Natera • Ann Patchett • Esther Perel • Adrienne Raphel • Jenny Rosenstrach • Sarah Ruhl • Sharon Salzberg • Dani Shapiro • Mavis Staples • Linda Sue Park • Nafissa Thompson-Spires • Jia Tolentino • Lindy West • Lidia Yuknavitch • And many others

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF listing essay contributors.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Suleika Jaouad (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The Book of Alchemy proves on every page that a creative response can be found in every moment of life—regardless of what is happening in the world. It also demonstrates that we can be more creative together than we could ever be alone. This book is not only beautiful but exceedingly helpful. I recommend it to every dreamer, with the highest respect and joy.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love

An extraordinary collection of wisdom from some of the world’s greatest writers—and an inspiring set of prompts for your own writing. The Book of Alchemy is a springboard to new ideas, new insights, and new identities.”—Adam Grant, bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

“Brilliant. Gentle. Encouraging. If you want to make your life richer, follow her lead. Suleika Jaouad is showing us how to find wisdom in every transition, graduation, and U-turn. The perfect mix of incandescent wisdom and kick-in-the-pants motivation to start your own creative journey.”—Kate Bowler, author of Everything Happens for a Reason

loved all the stories and prompts

the stories were amazing and the prompts wonderful. glad I used a credit to get it

So powerful!

It feels almost disrespectful to call this a manual for a creative life, because it is that and so much more. So many beautiful tellings and insights and suggestions and ideas, so many heartfelt musings and recountings, for those who think of themselves as creatives and those who believe they could never be creative. Highly recommended!

unlock creativity

The book contained many interesting prompts to unlock the reader's creativity in various aspects of life.

I’m so grateful for this book

I found this book serendipitously while scrolling youtube and immediately started listening. Suleika’s story is incredibly inspiring. Her voice is soothing and comforting and I look forward to listening to every chapter. Thank you for writing this book!!

Suleika is a gift

Time and time again, I find myself returning to the voice of Suleika Jaouad for comfort, understanding, but most of all inspiration. I didn’t even bother to read what The Book of Alchemy would be about before I purchased it, and was, honestly, taken aback to find it was about journaling. Once again though, it was exactly what I needed. You can feel Suleika’s heart in every word and essay. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you for inspiring me to begin journaling and reconnecting with my past, present, and self.