The Book of Alchemy (Suleika Jaouad)

 Verdict: Defer until Dec 25, 2026, then buy it and start a 100-day journal.

My take: I picked this sample thinking it was about science. It isn't. The subtitle gives it away: it's a creative-writing guide built around a 100-day journal, where you respond to daily prompts. Jaouad leans heavily into her feelings, and as an INTJ, heavy on the T, I caught myself rolling my eyes. Still, her story was compelling enough that I finished the sample. I've wanted to try another round of daily writing, and this looks like a good structure for it. I might even find some feelings worth jotting down. I'll buy it for Christmas and start then.

What others say:

  • Agree: A journaling-workshop leader on Substack said the essays and prompts mostly landed flat for her, though she expects others will love them.
  • Disagree: Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, and Girls Write Now called it an excellent introduction to journaling for beginners. It averages about 4.3 on Goodreads.
  • Worth knowing: The same Girls Write Now review notes that Jaouad appears mainly in the introductions, and most of the essays and prompts come from 100 other contributors.

Bottom line: A good fit if you want a structured daily-writing practice; skip it if you hoped for science or dislike emotional openness.

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