Book Value

Leaders from the worlds of business, academia, entertainment and politics share what’s on their bedside table.

Kendra Scott

Chairman and founder of her eponymous jewelry company

The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist

(HarperOne, 1988) is about a young shepherd who travels to seek treasure buried near the pyramids

of Egypt. It’s a timeless story that shows how success isn’t always linear. I was first given the book when I graduated from

high school; I picked it up again when I was going through a lot of hardship. One resonant quote: “The secret of life

is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” The Alchemist

interprets this beautifully, making

the point that there is nothing we can’t overcome. At

this moment, it’s hard to understand

why this is all happening. But the lessons we’re learning will make us come out even better as a planet and as one people.