The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your overall impression of the book? Did it ignite reflection and spark creativity, or did you find it unhelpful?

2. Which was your favorite essay and prompt, and why? Which was your least favorite?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Do you have a journaling practice, or any other creative practice that you engage in regularly? When did it start, and what are some of the moments that it has been most helpful in?

2. What is your relationship with remembering or talking about the past? Do you find it difficult to recollect and reflect on difficult times, or does it help you to revisit certain memories in order to process and move on?

3. Which theme from the 10 explored across the chapters did you feel was most relevant for you, and why? Do you have a story that you can share in the context of this theme?

4. What are some of the things in your life that you do in concert with a community? What are the things that you prefer to do in solitude?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. One of the essays explores how a capitalistic society that places undue value on what an individual can produce over their inherent worth is responsible for the painful phenomena of shame and self-hatred. Does this description of society align with the one you experience around you? If so, how do you navigate these emotions? How do you think things ought to change?

2. An entire chapter in the book is dedicated to the body and one’s complicated relationship with it. How has the societal obsession with a body ideal gotten better or worse over time? What trends do you see around you today that are positive, and which ones are problematic?

3. One of the essays in the book touches upon the dangers of inherited stories, especially ones that perpetuate conflict. Think about the conflict that exists in the world around you today. How many of them can be traced to inherited stories of division and hate? How can some of these be reframed in favor of harmony?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The idea of alchemy is a key motif in the book, one that continually points to the transformative power of creativity. What other motifs did you notice across the range of stories presented in the book?

2. The book is structured based on the 100-day project originated by Michael Bierut and based on Jaouad’s own experience with practicing it. How does this structure influence the exploration of themes in the book? Are they sections of the book that feel stilted or forced because they have been made to fit into a certain structure?

3. What are some topics or themes that you would have liked the book to have explored more, in the context of creativity? If you had to replace a chapter with one of your own, what theme or area of exploration would you pick?

4. With 100 different contributors ranging across 10 different subjects in the book, how does Jaouad manage to keep a cohesive narrative running throughout the book? What techniques does she use to achieve this?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you had to choose a daily practice of your own to do for 100 days, which creative medium or act would you choose, and why?

2. Who are some of the contributors you would call upon to share stories and prompts for your own Book of Alchemy? Would they all be celebrated literary or artistic figures as well, or ordinary people? Who from your life would you invite to collaborate with you?

3. Choose one of the 10 different topics covered across the chapters in the book and within its context, share your own short essay and writing prompt with the group.