Friday Finds: For the Love of Notebooks

There is something to be said of the allure of a blank page – or even a blank book. It is not always a page waiting for a writer’s blood to be poured on it, but it is definitely calling to be filled. Filled with shopping lists, diary secrets, love letters, doodles, artwork or literature. 

I have amassed a collection of notebooks – collecting them probably since I was able to write. Diaries with locks, plain school notebooks, soft covers, hard covers, spiral bound, saddle stitched and one custom made (refillable) in blue leather with one of my favourite quotes in silver lettering on it.

"A Writer's Tools" by Rae Grimm

I usually use more than one notebook at a time – one for studies, one for “other writing” and one for Airthai stories and worldbuilding. I feel naked when I go out without having a notebook on me. I usually end up using my phone’s notebook in such cases anyway!

While rummaging around the internet one day, I came across a wonderful notebook blog – Notebook Stories - which made me feel less alone in my love of notebooks! Not only do they show some of the best and most beautiful notebooks/journals available, but they also showcase a specific addict – I mean collector – every Friday. Take some time to browse through their blogroll as well – there are some very yummy books contained in those pages!

Paperbacknote Notebooks

One of their posts highlighted the company “paperbacknote” – which uses old paperback covers to make custom notebooks. Paperbacknote truly gives new life to these paperbacks – and you can see the love that went into their making. If you want, you can get the original book shipped to you when you order one of the notebooks.

In their own words:

“Every paperbacknote notebook is made with an original cover from a used paper back novel in its found condition. Each notebook is hand-assembled and contains stitch-bound blank pages allowing the book to open flat, as well as rounded corners and an embossed logo on the back cover. The size is approximately 11cm x 17cm x 1.2cm with 30-60 pages (depending on the thickness of the original book). The cover is original from used books culled from thrift shops, garage sales, and boxes in basements and attics. At first glance, these notebooks appear as though they are real paper back novels. Only when you open them up do you discover the true secret inside. They are blank! At least until you fill them with your own thoughts, stories, pictures, and words. A perfect gift for an aspiring writer, note taker, list maker, journal writer, or anyone who wants to keep their notes under cover.”

Do you still use paper notebooks? Or do you find digital notes are better? I would love to hear from you!