Audiobooks like "The Alchemist" to expand your horizons

In this inspiring collection by the beloved author of The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho compiles seven years of his signature wisdom on solitude, love, and struggle. As he puts it, the stories and ideas collected within “contain accounts of some of my own experiences, stories other people have told me, and thoughts I've had while traveling down particular stretches of the river of my life.” With a soft and relaxing narration that matches the zen tone of the audiobook itself, this listen is not to be missed.

Nobel Prize winner Herman Hesse’s most famous and influential novel, Siddhartha contains many of the same core elements as The Alchemist—among them, a young protagonist seeking the meaning of existence all while wrestling with the obstacles and temptations of everyday life. Despite being born and raised in a loving, safe, and privileged home, Siddhartha desires adventure and a deeper understanding of the world. The journey that follows takes him to extremes, from time with a group of strict ascetics to an unexpected dive into an opulent life of excess, all in an attempt to understand how business, love, and spirituality factor in the path to true understanding. Even after speaking with the reigning Buddha of the time, deemed the most enlightened being on Earth, Siddhartha continues on his journey, asks his own questions, and seeks his own answers. It serves as a timeless reminder to us all: enlightenment is just as much about the path as it is the destination.

Self-exploration is not reserved for adults: children have their own journeys of discovery. The titular little prince, like Santiago, must leave home—in his case, an asteroid—to find fulfillment. Stung by a betrayal, he sets out to explore other planets, searching for insight and a cure for his loneliness. He ultimately lands on Earth in the middle of the Sahara desert. Here, he meets a pilot whose plane has crashed, and finds a friend. Serving as the story’s narrator, the pilot recounts the prince’s journey across neighboring asteroid planets and into the narrow-minded world of grown-ups. On his travels, the prince meets six adults, ranging from a king to a drunkard. All live alone and are consumed by pointless pursuits, from ordering people around to striving to own the stars. While on Earth, the prince learns to forgive and see the world with his heart. Though written for children, The Little Prince offers lessons for all ages and makes for a great family listen. Humphrey Bower narrates this modern classic and, to quote one delighted parent, his performance "was like listening to a grandfather telling a bedtime story."

The only nonfiction title on our list, The Secret provides real-life examples and a practical perspective on the quest for fulfillment. Author Rhonda Byrne was plagued with numerous personal tragedies before she encountered the results of a mindset employed by Galileo, Beethoven, Edison, Einstein, and other great thinkers and high achievers. Like attracts like, so think happy thoughts and happy things will come to you, right? Easier said than done. The Secret serves as a proof of concept narrative for the law of attraction, supported by panels of experts and reams of advice. Just as Santiago was compelled to achieve the higher calling of his personal legend, The Secret demonstrates how the power to fulfill your destiny is truly within you.

All beings experience their own means of self-exploration and achievement of personal legend, even seagulls. Jonathan Livingston Seagull follows the avian search for meaning. Along the way, Jonathan meets other prophetic gulls and expands his knowledge of the world, but never settles in his flight. He teaches listeners that true self-exploration is a never-ending process—no journey is ever complete but simply a transition into the next. This audiobook serves as a healthy reminder for human listeners to spread their wings and fly to new heights.

Prophecies and divine symbols commonly appear in journeys of self-exploration, and The Murmur of Bees incorporates this theme from a unique perspective. Set during the Mexican Revolution and the devastating influenza of 1918, this audiobook showcases self-exploration and spiritual growth against the thematic backdrop of magical realism. A baby is discovered under a bridge in a small village, strangely covered in a coat of bees. When most villagers denounce the infant as a sign from the devil or bad luck, one family takes him in and adopts him as their own. As a result, they’re rewarded by his magical abilities: he can see into the future and assists others in times of crisis. While this listen deals with painfully real human problems—a terrifying disease, as well as intolerance and fear of differences—it reminds us of the importance of seeing the magic and acknowledging the miracles all around us, especially in times of trouble.