Expedition 9 to 5

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist follows Santiago’s journey as he embarks on his personal legend. More than that, we have the pleasure of joining him on an adventure of self-discovery and relentless pursuit of following one’s heart. Through this tale, we delve into the fears harbored by a young boy, the yearnings of his soul, and the transformative power of self-belief that enables him to overcome challenges. Presented in the form of a fable with plenty of subliminal messaging, one can extract profound insights from Santiago’s journey, spanning from his life in the pasture to encounters with kings, gypsies, thieves, and the essence of love.

This book reminded me of the very basic of all universal truths: Life is meant to be lived. We are fed dreams of school, job, husband/wife, kids, retirement, death, and finally afterlife. We convince ourselves that this is the right dream to pursue, the one that has the most logic. But we forget that we cannot be convinced of a dream. A dream just is. We waste our time being jealous of those who have gone out to pursue their dreams yet make no effort to listen to our inner voice and the external “omens” pleading with us to pursue our own. The Alchemist is a reminder of your heart’s calling. When I try to suffocate my dreams in logic, I cannot help but remember the message in this story. “When you want something with all of your heart, that is when you are closest to the Soul of The World” (Coelho 80). 

2. On Trails by Robert Moor

As an avid hiker, I was itching to get into this book. While reading, I found that I never once stopped to think about where trails come from, how they were made, or why we have them. I was but an ant following the many steps of ants before me, blindly traveling to the same destination on the same route. On Trails takes you through the adventures of Robert Moor as he searches to answer the large looming question of why trails exist. For Moor, it all started on his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. He takes us through personal anecdotes as his quandaries find him in Newfoundland hunting fossils, in Tennessee, where he analyzes the trails of an elephant sanctuary, and even in his backyard in British Columbia, where he learns that one can get lost in their very own neighborhood without the help of trails.

Through this book, I learned that all trails have destinations. When a trail loses purpose, it disappears. Many trails are built through the collective effort of humans, animals, and nature, leaving behind history and a shared past of interconnectedness. The trails we walk in national parks, on our way to work, or the new ones we blaze showcase that we are never truly alone. It is all part of one shared journey and experience. 

3. I Don’t Want to Grow Up by Scott Stillman 

In this self-help/memoir combo, Scott takes us on a ride through his struggle to reach ‘Infinite Intelligence,” where passions become obsessions and life becomes enjoyable. He poses the question, “Is it so bad to simply have fun?”. This is often lost in the mantra that “work is called work because it’s not meant to be fun!” Why can’t it be both? Scott writes of a different way of life apart from what we grow up hearing is the “correct” order of operations- school then job then marriage then family then job again and then death. He writes of a way to pursue a life of adventure that allows you to live more and dread less. Whether your dream is to climb Everest or surf every day until the end of your days, this book gives you the inspiration and the tool kit to do so. I loved this writing because it gave me a new perspective on the Corporate America 9 to 5.

We often get stuck in a cyclical trap of being thankful for a job we hate. Company doesn’t promote you after proven hard work. Company doesn’t adjust your salary for inflation. Company lays people off. Suddenly, you are just thankful to have the job, no matter how much you don’t like it or how little the company values you. He takes you on a journey of working smarter, not harder, and building a life based on what makes you happy vs. the traditional life society says you need. This book is an excellent reminder that your life is in your hands. Picture the life you want, prioritize your dreams, and get busy living. “Life is a mystery, and it’s time to start treating it that way. The only irresponsible thing you can do is waste it” (Stillman 63). 

4. The Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw

This memoir follows the life and adventures of Ruth Shaw, alternating between the loving characters that visit her wee book shops and the daring tales from her life of adventure. Ruth’s story reminds us that you are never too old to pivot. Throughout her various careers of sailing, cooking, and even the art of monkeywrenching, you discover that her life was nothing short of well-lived. Despite misfortunes in her story, Ruth finds the good everywhere. She runs from her demons and then proceeds to chase them down. She emboldens you to trust your gut and follow when adventure calls. She reminds you that you don’t need to have it all figured out at the ripe age of 24 (almost 25). You can fall in love at 18 and 22 and then again at 38 and 55 and 73.  

Hearing the tales of those who enter her various book shops inspires you to read more and enjoy the little moments you share with those near you- friends or strangers. Everyone has an exciting story. “Life was like playing cards. You’re given a hand, and the way you play that hand may determine the rest of the month, the rest of the year, or the rest of your life” (Shaw 34)

This book also inspired a new dream; visit Ruth’s bookshops in Fiordland in the tiny town of Manapōuri, New Zealand. 

5. The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud

This book fits the category in a slightly different way. It didn’t make me crave adventure but instead brought enjoyment to an adventure I was already on. 

The day before I left on a solo trip through Europe, I was scrounging our house for a book to read. My roommate Paige recommended the short stories of Bernard Malamud’s The Magic Barrel. Luckily for me, this book came pre-annotated. Books increase in value when they’re annotated. The collection takes the reader through the human and immigrant experiences of tragedy, kindness, loss, and empathy. What I loved about the book is that it made me think. The depth and moral of each story are captivating and inspire reflection upon your own life and the history of humankind. The short stories also served as excellent stopping points throughout my travels. I could read in a cafe, look busy while eating alone, or stop on a park bench and enjoy a bit of sun and a good book. I especially loved The Lady of the Lake, which brought questions of identity, courage, and self-love to the forefront of my mind. 

The Magic Barrel is a living artifact in our home. Covered in writing and edits from different pens and pencils, it sits on our shelf as a reminder to always bring a book. 

Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. HarperCollins, 2015.

Shaw, Ruth, and Emma Clifton. The Bookseller at the End of the World. Allen and Unwin, 2022.

Stillman, Scott. I Don’t Want to Grow up: Life, Liberty, and Happiness. Without a Career. 2021.