K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of reading good books that inspire and uplift, rather than those that lead to negativity. He references St. Paul's request for books in his final days, highlighting how even in solitude, literature can provide comfort and strength. Yohannan encourages the audience to cultivate a habit of reading as a vital ritual in their lives, suggesting that good books can serve as loyal companions during difficult times. He quotes a French writer who likens authors to travelers who guide us through loneliness, reinforcing the idea that books can be our best friends.

Dear friends, have the enthusiasm to read good books. I am not talking about the books which you borrow from others once in a while, books which deal with immoral stories, books which influence you negatively—nothing of that sort. I’m talking about books which contain stories which can touch you, good books; if possible try to ask others for recommendations and select them. Let the habit of reading books be a ritual in your life. In his second letter to Timothy chapter 4, verse 13, St. Paul wrote this, “…bring the cloak, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” The aged apostle spent his last days in a lonely prison in Rome. At that time he was writing to his friend Timothy, who had received Jesus through him. “Winter is about to begin, the chill reaches my bones, so I need a cloak. And Timothy, don’t forget one thing—my books, and bring the scrolls too.” book-222538_1280 The parchments he mentioned may have been a copy of the Old Testament. We have to notice one thing here. He was not planning to write another letter to his churches like the letter to Romans; it was not possible in that situation. He had no need to prepare an elaborate speech. He understood that to strengthen his heart, to refresh his mind, he needed to read books. A famous French writer once wrote like this, “Those people who wrote books before our times are the lonely travelers who walked ahead. When everybody abandons us, books extend their loving hands toward us, to welcome us back to society. A good book is your best friend.”