SAC names ‘The Alchemist’ book of semester
“The Giver,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” What do all of these books have in common? They have all been previous books of the semester at Utah State University.
This semester’s book is the international bestseller, “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho.
The book is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago. Santiago travels from his homeland of Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of buried treasure in the great Pyramids.
Along his way he meets a Gypsy, a man who calls himself king and an alchemist. They all help point Santiago in the right direction, although no one really knows the way, or if Santiago can even overcome any of the obstacles along the way.
The book was chosen by the Student Academic Council. The way the council picks each semester’s book is by making a list of books and then voting.
“We want to try to push students towards an intellectual environment,” said Karla Petty, a junior majoring in political science teaching.
Petty is also the Associated Students of Utah State University Academic vice president.
She said “The Alchemist” is the type of book that “once you start reading it you want to keep going.”
SAC is also trying to start a book club, which will hopefully begin meeting the first week of March, Petty said. They would also like to try to get the community involved.
“We want a place where the books we read can be discussed,” Petty said.
Petty said it’s important to provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment and that it’s always good to be well-read.
“Students should be up to date with the literature,” she said.
The book of the semester program has been going on for about the last 12 years. SAC works with the USU Bookstore to try to get students the lowest possible price.
Although student response has been really good in other semesters, Petty said, she is still hoping to get the word out more than in the past.
-vramirez@cc.usu.edu