Ok! First Book Club Discussion (late as per usual) The Alchemist

pettycrocker · February 2015

Sorry ladies, I was supposed to post this on Friday, but I have SO MUCH CRAP GOING ON. I am going to keep these discussions very easy peasy, what moms have the ability to retain books anyway? None.

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best)

The focus of our little book club is to try to pull a positive message that we can apply to our situations: Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way?

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month!

pettycrocker · February 2015

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best) 5! This was my 3rd time reading it. This book is like a cup of coffee. A quick, easy read, that is great for when I need a little pick me up for my spirit.

The focus of our little book club is to try to pull a positive message that we can apply to our situations: Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way? This book is full of inspiration. Don't give up. If you believe your family will be complete, then it will be. That's what I get from this.

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?

"I'm interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man. You'll see that there is life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and that the tribesmen fight because they are a part of the human race. Life will be a party for, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living RIGHT NOW" -- I love this because who doesn't get stuck either ruminating on the past (failed treatments) or the future (upcoming treatments) when dealing with IF? I feel like we can all use a reminder to stay present with our kid(s) that need us now. Time is fleeting.

"This is the first phase of the job, he said. I have to separate the sulfur. To do that successfully, I must have no fear of failure. It was my fear of failure that first kept me from attempting the Master Work. Now I'm beginning what I could have started ten years ago. But I'm happy at least that I didn't wait twenty years" OK?! This really spoke to me. How scary are IF treatments? Especially if it is your first cycle? I took this to mean, if I just believe that it will work, and have no fears of it NOT WORKING, then we will find success. I can dig it.

Before a dream is realized, The Soul Of The World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward the dream. That's the point at which most people give up. It's the point at which we say in the language of the desert 'one dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon' This was exactly what I needed for this space I am in now. After having gone through so many failed treatment cycles, I want to say I am DONE. I am resolved to being happy as a family of 3, which is great, but it's not what I would consider to be my "personal legend" I believe we will have more children, so I have to buck up, and persevere. I do NEED a break, but eventually I hope to get back on the ball, and get this shit done :P.

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month!

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom.

I can always count on some positive messages from Mitch.

jen4ny · February 2015

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best) I really enjoyed the book and will give it a 5.

The focus of our little book club is to try to pull a positive message that we can apply to our situations: Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way? I think the positive message from this book is to not give up on your dreams and that there is a reason for everything. That certainly applies to 2IF!

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?

"'You old sorcerer,' the boy shouted up to the sky. 'You knew the whole story. You even left a bit of gold at the monastery so I could get back to this church. The monk laughed when he saw me come back in tatters. Couldn't you have saved me from that?'

'No,' he heard a voice on the wind say. 'If I had told you, you wouldn't have seen the Pyramids. They're beautiful, aren't they?'"

For me this quote is so powerful. I am Catholic and I believe that God has control over things down here and can intervene. So for me this 2IF really hurts- why does God think I am not worthy of another child? Does He think I am such a bad mom that I shouldn't be left in charge of a second life? But this quote helps me try to believe there is a reason for 2IF for me. Who knows what it is. Maybe I was meant to have more time with DS as an only child, maybe DS was supposed to be out of daycare and in school before we have another child so that we will be more financially secure, etc.

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month!

This question I have to think about. I do love Mitch Albom but never read The Time Keeper. If it is anything like Tuesdays with Morrie (one of my favorite books) then I will enjoy it!

pettycrocker · February 2015

@jen4ny I love the quote you chose, and your reason for it.

And I will second Tuesdays With Morrie, that is a great story! I haven't read Time Keeper yet either but I've read enough from Mitch to know I can count on him for a good story with an inspirational message.

Frenchteachermama · February 2015

I've had one girl home sick with strep and the other being crazy annoying! Will discuss tomorrow...off to open some well deserved wine

ellebelle2384 · February 2015

Thanks for doing the book club and I like the short question format.

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best)

I would rate it a 4.5. I liked the narration style a lot and it was a nice, quick read but still had depth.

The focus of our little book club is to try to pull a positive message that we can apply to our situations: Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way?
I think the story is full of positive messages, most of all for me is the message to never give up. Sometimes we can get sidetracked or bogged down or stuck in one spot, but one day we just have to decide to keep going forward. I feel like so much of 2IF feels like treading water so this definitely resonated with me.

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?

There were so many good ones, but I didn't highlight on my ipad while reading. I will do that next month!

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month!
I'm on board with Mitch Albom as well. Never read one of his books but always thought about picking one up.

Frenchteachermama · February 2015

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best)

I loved it. It's been on my "to read" list for years and I'm so glad I finally had a reason to read it!! I think it was a 4.5/5

The focus of our little book club is to try to pull a positive message that we can apply to our situations: Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way?

I think like many people said, 2IF makes me think ALL OF THE TIME about what I did to deserve this or what am I supposed to learn from the struggles I've had. I loved how everything came full circle in the end and he understood why he went through what he did.

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?

I also read on my kindle and didn't highlight anything but I will next time!

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month!

I already read Tuesdays with Morrie but wouldn't mind reading it again.

Has anyone read "The Four Agreements"? I have it but haven't read it, it's super short, and definitely a kind of "self discovery" book but we can absolutely relate to 2IF. My yoga teacher recommended it.

BDevereaux · February 2015

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best)

I really enjoyed this book. When the boy was crossing the desert with the caravan, I did get a little bored, but for me, the story picked right back up and started to get really interesting. I will give it a 4, as that is what I usually rate books I enjoyed.

Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way?

For me, something that stuck out was the advice to basically live in the present, and not worry about the past or future. I'm paraphrasing, as I don't have the book with me (at work). I am always so fixated on what will happen in the future (Will we get pregnant again? How will I handle it if I DON'T?) and tend to dwell on things from the past, not just 2IF related. That message tells me to take this 2IF thing day-by-day. Maybe the greater message of the book was not to give up, and obviously, that is great advice for anyone dealing with IF.

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?

I liked this quote from p. 102 (I remembered the page but had to Google it): "If good things are coming, they will be a pleasant surprise," said the seer. "If bad things are, and you know in advance, you will suffer greatly before they even occur."

There were a few others, but I didn't highlight any. Will do that next time, for sure.

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month!

I was actually going to suggest The Time Keeper, but see it has already been done. Loved that book and am reminded of it's message frequently in my day-to-day life. I would love to read it again, but am open to other suggestions, as well.

BDevereaux · February 2015

jen4ny said:
Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book?
"'You old sorcerer,' the boy shouted up to the sky. 'You knew the whole story. You even left a bit of gold at the monastery so I could get back to this church. The monk laughed when he saw me come back in tatters. Couldn't you have saved me from that?'
'No,' he heard a voice on the wind say. 'If I had told you, you wouldn't have seen the Pyramids. They're beautiful, aren't they?'"

For me this quote is so powerful. I am Catholic and I believe that God has control over things down here and can intervene. So for me this 2IF really hurts- why does God think I am not worthy of another child? Does He think I am such a bad mom that I shouldn't be left in charge of a second life? But this quote helps me try to believe there is a reason for 2IF for me. Who knows what it is. Maybe I was meant to have more time with DS as an only child, maybe DS was supposed to be out of daycare and in school before we have another child so that we will be more financially secure, etc.

I really love that and I'm glad you pointed it out. That's another great way to look at things.

pdxveg · February 2015

Better late than never right?

What did you think of the book The Alchemist? How would you rate it on a scale from 1-5 (5 is best) I really liked it and I thought it was an enjoyable read. It was the kind of book that I could finish in one or 2 sittings if I didn't have a child. I am not a religious person and it was more spiritual than most books I would choose to read, but I think most of the messages could be viewed in a secular way as well. I would probably rate it a 4 because I think a 5 is reserved for only a few select things.

The focus of our little book club is to try to pull a positive message that we can apply to our situations: Were you able to get a positive message from this story? Do you think this will help you cope with your 2IF in any way? I do think the book was filled with positive messages and the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity. I also did like the message of not worrying about the roadblocks as they come and staying focused on the long term goal. I have a hard time with that. I really let little set backs effect my outlook on things. I need to learn to not become completely derailed when the outcome of a cycle is not what I hoped it would be.

Do you have any quotes that stood out to you from the book? I read it on my nook and I didn't even think to highlight anything. I will do that next month.

Recommend a book (reasonable length) with a positive message for next month! I am going to just skip this since our next book as already been chosen.

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Ok! First Book Club Discussion (late as per usual) The Alchemist

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