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A guide to the healing power of journalling and a meditation on the central questions of life, featuring creative contributions from Salman Rushdie, Esther Perel, Alain de Botton, Hanif Kureishi, Jia Tolentino, Elizabeth Gilbert, Gloria Steinem, George Saunders, Lena Dunham and more.

Suleika has kept a journal her whole life. Journalling has marked her greatest triumphs and buoyed her in her toughest moments. It has carried her as she fell in love, travelled across the United States, experienced illness, heartbreak and the deepest oceans of uncertainty. And she is not alone. For so many, journalling is a process of discovery – sometimes vulnerable, sometimes terrifying, always transformative.

Featuring writing prompts, essays and wisdom from one hundred contributors and serving as a companion during challenging times, The Book of Alchemy explores themes such as fear, love, beginnings, memory, the body and purpose. In doing so, the book offers encouragement, direction and gives readers the tools to engage with discomfort, to ask questions, to peel back the layers and uncover their truest selves.

‘A stellar collection of prompts and invitations that will enrich any journal' Katherine May | ‘This book is not only beautiful, but exceedingly helpful. I recommend it to every dreamer' Elizabeth Gilbert | 'Galvanising and comforting. An instant classic' Emma Gannon | ‘An extraordinary collection of wisdom' Adam Grant | This book is a gift' Hanif Abdurraqib | ‘Brilliant. Gentle. Encouraging' Kate Bowler

© Suleika Jaouad 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025