The Alchemist

"The Alchemist" is an allegorical novel written by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho. It is a novel which encourages people to pursue their dream.

The main character in this novel is a Shepherd boy Sandiago, who likes to travel around. One day, Sandiago meets the king of Salem. The king encourages him to go and find out the big treasure which was buried near the pyramid that Sandiago had dreamed of for two times. During Sandiago's travel to Africa, he encounters a lot of difficulties. His money was stolen by thieves, and the caravan he joined to across the Sahara desert was forced to stop in an oasis for certain reasons. However, Sandiago still doesn't give up his dream.

The concepts that the author wants to convey to the readers through this novel are that every one in the world has his or her own destiny and goal to follow, and striving hard for your own destiny is not only your job but the way you live in the world. Besides, some people may give up their dream because of marriage or their family, but in this novel, the author explains that love will not stop people from pursuing their dream; therefore, if a person gives up pursuing his or her dream because of love, it is not the true love.

The sentence that impressed me the most in this novel is "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."(From: The Alchemist) It conveys the concept that once a person tries his or her best to pursue something, he or she can attract others to help him fulfill the dream, which gives courage and confidence to those who wants to pursue their goal.

More detailed: http://www.books.com.tw/products/0010269364

The Gift of Nothing

"The Gift of Nothing" is a picture book which written by American illustrator Patrick McDonnell. 

The main characters in this picture book are the cat Mooch and the dog Earl, and they are good friends. One day, Mooch wants to give Earl a gift; however, even Mooch spends lots of time thinking, he still doesn't know what gift to prepare for Earl, because he thinks that Earl doesn't lack of anything. Finally, Mooch comes up with an idea. He brings a big but empty present box to Earl, and tells him, "This is the gift of nothing, but you and me."

Nowadays, people focuses a lot on their material lives. They spend a lot of time on work to earn more money because they think that giving money to their family, making sure that they can live without fear is the way to show their love and attention to them. However, this picture book tells that there are something more precious that cannot buy with money, such us love and friendship.

Love and friendship are invisible, but they are definitely the best gifts for people who value each other. The appearance of love and friendship is presented through the companion to each other, and they are more valuable than the visible material. 

This is a short story with simple illustration and words, but it conveys a very important concept for people. 

More detailed: http://www.books.com.tw/products/0010334886

Verbrechen

"Verbrechen" is a book that collects several real stories, and most of the main characters in these stories commit a crime. The author is a German lawyer who defends for these defendants, and he wrote this book as records of every story.

I will always rethink about the crime happen in out society. Every time when I read the crime events from news, especially the cruel murder events, I cannot understand, and I cannot bare that why a person can do such terrible things. However, after reading this book, I discover that perhaps not all the people who commit the crime is because of hostility, but some of them have their own difficulties which we cannot imagine or understand before experiencing them. 
As a law student, it is important for me to learn to stand on these convicts' side to think before I make a comment on them.

Besides, I am of the opinion that law is the symbol of justice. Therefore, I used to feel angry and unfair as I see the news which reports the "dinosaur judge", which means the judge who makes an unacceptable judgement. Nevertheless, in this book, it records lots of real cases which cannot be solved due to the limited evidence and the lawyer's defending skill. These stories make me rethink that judge is not a god but a person; therefore, judge does not have the ability to reappear the truth. The only thing the judge can do is to follow the evidence, and try his or her best to make a good judgement. The society should give more respect to the judges' decision, and should not condemn them too much.

"Verbrechen" is a book that worth of reading not only for law students but also for every citizen, for law may be a specialized field which most people are not familiar with; therefore, many people may have lots of misunderstanding on it. After reading this book, people will find out that some of their opinions to law may be wrong, and it definitely should be corrected. 

More detailed: http://www.books.com.tw/products/0010509001