A Book Is the Passport to the World - By Janu Krishnan
Written By: Janu Krishnan
Category: ESSAY
Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026
Janu Krishnan invites us to embark on a literary journey with "A Book Is the Passport to the World," an essay submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This reflective piece delves into the transformative power of reading, highlighting its role as a gateway to imagination and personal growth. Through a rich tapestry of thoughts and experiences, Krishnan paints a picture of reading as an essential part of life, offering an escape and a means to explore diverse worlds.
About the Work
In "A Book Is the Passport to the World," Janu Krishnan explores the profound impact of reading on the human mind and spirit. The essay beautifully articulates the idea of books as companions in the journey of life, offering wisdom, empathy, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Krishnan's reflections on personal experiences and family legacy emphasize the intrinsic value of literature in fostering creativity and critical thinking.
A BOOK IS THE PASSPORT TO THE WORLD
Original Submission by Janu Krishnan
A BOOK IS A PASSPORT
TO THE WORLD..
* A book is a garden where the mind grows, learns, and blossoms.
* Books are a uniquely portable magic." - Stephen King
* Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." - Joseph Addison
* There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway
* Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you.- Carlos Ruiz Zafón
* The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss
Reading is one of the few activities that allows us to borrow the wisdom, experiences, mistakes, and knowledge of thousands of people without living their lives ourselves. How many of us are reading or make reading as daily routine habits? Even reading needs ample of energy to imagine the characters and scenes of each page? In our own perspective and capacity. But when some of the books are adapted to movies, it’s just not as per our expectations. Feels like it’s lacking the connection with our brain. That’s the power of the books and reading it.
A book is a passport to countless worlds, where we travel, dream, learn, and experience life through another person's journey.
Since am grown up reading everything from Enid Blyton and Alfred Hitchcock mysteries to Jeffrey Archer, Sidney Sheldon, James Patterson, John Grisham, Andy McNab, Tolkien and Cecelia Ahern, Sophie Kinsella, and probably enjoy a mix genre of books that challenge the mind, inspire personal growth, and tell unforgettable stories.
Why reading is important for our brain and creativity?
A good book can teach us in a few hours what takes someone decades to learn through their life.
Reading helps us:
* Think deeply instead of reacting quickly.
* Improve vocabulary and communication.
* Develop empathy by understanding different lives and perspectives.
* Strengthen focus and concentration.
* Build imagination and creativity.
* Make better decisions through knowledge and experience.
* Understand history, people, and ourselves.
What Is Lacking in Many Young People Today?
Not all young people, but many struggle with:
📱 Short attention spans
Constant scrolling trains the brain to seek quick rewards instead of deep thinking.
⚡ Instant gratification
Many want fast results, while books teach patience, effort, and delayed rewards.
🧠 Critical thinking
Social media often provides opinions. Reading encourages analysis, questioning, and independent thought. The more you read, the wider your brain explores.
❤️ Empathy and human connection
Books allow us to step into someone else's shoes and understand different experiences.
📚 General knowledge and wisdom
Information is everywhere, but wisdom comes from reflection, learning, and experience.
🎯 Focus and concentration
Reading a book for an hour requires attention. Many people today find it difficult to stay focused for even a few minutes without checking their phones.
The Difference
* Social media gives information. Books give understanding.
* Social media tells you what to think. Books teach you how to think.
* Social media is fast food for the mind. Books are a nutritious meal for the brain.
Reading is a wisdom garden for the mind. The more we immerse ourselves in it, the more we discover - about life, people, cultures, countries, food, sciences, and numbers. We learn from serious disciplines like physics, to the softer sciences like psychology. Every page expands our understanding and stretches the boundaries of our thinking.
Reading opens doors to worlds beyond our imagination. It nourishes the mind, strengthens memory, sparks creativity, expands knowledge, deepens wisdom, builds empathy, sharpens focus, and inspires lifelong learning. Every page read is a step toward becoming a wiser, kinder, and more capable version of ourselves.
Reading makes us explore and do more research on the topics or write journal for research. It supports us to think beyond, create writing or research that lives as legacy. Agatha christie was a good example. Everyone thought she’s a male crime novelist. And, everyone was shocked on the real revelation that’s she was the one created the famous Poirot series.
Family Legacy of Reading
* I have always loved reading. Everything I read or watch seems to stay with me. I remember the stories, the emotions, the lessons, and even the places. I often revisit those memories, reflecting on them and finding new meaning each time.
* My father has always inspired me. One of his lifelong habits is keeping a diary. Even now, at 86, he faithfully records family visits, birthdays, weddings, funerals, important events, and even matters related to our land and home. Whenever we ask him about something that happened years ago, he simply opens his diary and finds the answer. I have always admired his discipline and the quiet wisdom behind this habit.
* Today, I see that same love for learning in my children. My daughter enjoys books like The Psychology of Money and The 48 Laws of Human Nature. My son loves books such as The Uncivilized Mind, along with books on politics and thermodynamics. His way of thinking often surprises me. It’s unique and special! Powerful at times.
* More than anything, I am grateful that they choose to expand their minds through reading. In a world where many spend countless hours on social media or games, seeing my children reach for books fills me with quiet pride.
* It feels like a beautiful legacy-my father's love of recording daily life, my love of reading, and now my children's curiosity and passion for learning. Some legacies are not measured in wealth but in knowledge, wisdom, and the desire to keep learning.
* Sometimes I feel that one of the reasons I was born is simply to read every good book I can. Books have always been my food, my fuel, and my lifelong companions. It replaces my needs for friends or another companion. It’s just makes my world full.
* Now that I have published my own book and shared it with the world, a small part of me dares to dream that one day it might appear on a bestseller list. Is it a big dream? Perhaps. Is it possible? Only time will tell. But if it does happen, it would feel like the universe gently whispering, “See? Your manifestation served your destiny”
* I grew up surrounded by books and a family of avid readers. It was an environment that suited me perfectly and still does today. I have always admired people who love to read, especially those with whom I can share and discuss ideas, stories, and meaningful conversations.
* And perhaps that’s also why I always strive for a win-win situation. Maybe that’s why God made me a retail person. It’s in my blood - just like my father, who owned a grocery store and a coffee shop.
* People who read’s seems to be more smarter and aware of many things that makes them more impressive than non reader. How they know so many things.
* I’ve always believed in giving my children the freedom to make their own choices.
Top Self-Help & Personal Growth Books
* The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
* Atomic Habits by James Clear
* The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr Joseph Murphy
* Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
* How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
* The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
* Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
* The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
* The Magic of Thinking BIG by David Shwartz
* The Courage to Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
* Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
* Men are from Mars, Woman are from Venus by Dr John Gray
* The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
* The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
* The Leader who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
* Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
* The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J.Stanley
* Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
* Grit by Angela Duckworth
* Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson
* Autobiography of A Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
* The Monk who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
* Who will CRY when You Die by Robin Sharma
Top Fiction Books Everyone Should Read
* The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
* The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
* To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
* 1984 by George Orwell
* Animal Farm by George Orwell
* The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
* A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni
* The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseni
* Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
* Life of Pi by Yann Martel
* Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
* Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank
Evergreen Children books - beyond imagination.
* Harry Potter Series (Bk 1 to 7) by J.K.Rowling
* Enid Blyton: Famous Five, Secret Seven, Mysteries, Wishing series
* Little House in the Prairie by Laura Ingles Wieder
* Geronimo Stilton & Thea Stilton series
* Diary of A Wimpy Kid series
* Classics - Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, Charles Darwin, Shakespeare
* Roald Dahl stories by Roald Dahl
* Magic Tree Houses collections by Marie Pope Osborne
* Dr Seuss collections
* Peter Usborne collections
* Horrible Science, Histories and Geography collections
A Simple Life Lesson
* "A reader lives a thousand lives before they die. A non-reader lives only one."
KEEP READING, EXPLORE beyond the IMAGINARY WORLD.
A BOOK A DAY KEEPS THE REALITY AWAY! START NOW!
By the reader : Janu Krishnan (Malaysia)
About the Competition
The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the art of writing in its myriad forms. This prestigious competition brings together writers and poets from around the world, providing a platform to share their unique voices and stories. The event fosters creativity and cultural exchange, encouraging participants to push the boundaries of literary expression.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Janu Krishnan for sharing "A Book Is the Passport to the World" with us. Your insightful essay enriches the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, offering readers a profound exploration of the transformative power of books. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to the journeys your words inspire.
About Hashtag Kalakar
Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.
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