notebooks

[truepenny]

Over on misia's journal, there is kvetching about Levenger's and the way they are turning themselves into a catalogue for rich people who want to look like booklovers instead of actual booklovers (who come at all income levels and are a lot less worried about how they look than about whether they can bring another book into the house without having the floors collapse). And since I was looking at Levenger's catalogue this morning over breakfast, I chimed in and embarked myself on a digression which I realized really needed to be a post of its own, because notebooks, as heres_luck and the long-suffering Mirrorthaw can attest, are things that I take very seriously.

I have stringent requirements for notebooks for the very simple reason that I take one with me everywhere I go. This practice means that (a.) if I think of something brilliant, I can write it down and find it again, (b.) if for some reason I get stuck waiting somewhere, I have something to do, and (c.) I always have paper and pen--for writing down phone numbers or leaving notes for people or making impromptu signs for elisem's table at WisCon (which is my most recent appropriation of notebook to unexpected uses).

Taking an all-purpose, catch-all notebook with me has been a habit since 1999 (before that, I tried to keep separate notebooks for diary uses and for seminar notes and research and fiction, and it was just ridiculous because I am too scatter-brained and unobservant--I always ended up with the wrong notebook for the purpose at hand), and I am a bit over halfway through notebook #26. So I know what I need from a notebook.

It must be:
1. sturdy.
2. sized to fit in my (admittedly commodious) purse
3. bound, rather than being a binder or a spiral thingy. Binder rings break and warp, and the paper tears, and because I hold my pen oddly, spiral notebooks mean that I end up with spiral indentations in the side of my hand.
4. equipped with paper that can handle fountain pen ink
5. NARROW RULED. My handwriting should properly be classified as a liquid: it expands to fill the available space, and if there are no lines at all it flows downhill.

Requirement #5 takes a lot of otherwise beautiful notebooks (e.g. Clairefontaine) out of the running, but long experience tells me it is not negotiable. Writing by hand only works for me if I like the way my handwriting looks.

For a long time (25 notebooks) I used National Brand Chemistry Notebooks, which are hardbacked, compact, and have numbered pages. They also use green paper, which is a little less than ideal if, like me, you like your ink in peculiar colors, but the thing that impelled me away from them is the fact that they redesigned the notebook--now, instead of inoffensive denim-blue, the covers are lurid purple (the picture on artstuff's page is sadly not at all misleading). And since we'd moved, I was going to be buying notebooks online anyway, so it seemed like a reasonable time to experiment.

My first experiment has been Levenger's Notabilia notebooks. They're larger than National Brand, more expensive--although not by as much as you might be inclined to assume--soft-cover, and the pages are unnumbered (I numbered them myself because I've gotten used to being able to cross-reference my computer files to my field notebooks). Also, the lines are slightly wider. But the paper is good quality, and white, and the notebook is thus far holding up well against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. I don't like them as much as I want to like them, so when I've used these two (you can only buy them in sets of two, for reasons that I'm sure Levenger's believes makes sense), I may very well be experimenting further afield. Or possibly going back to National Brand, lurid purple covers and all.

It's one of those things that's simultaneously utterly trivial and genuinely important--and unabashedly geeky.

Comments

[redbird]

Notebooks do matter. I may abandon the current one, because the range of dark papers in it is just too weird.

I'm willing to settle for soft covers, and don't usually use a fountain pen, so my conditions are slightly less stringent than yours, but narrow ruled eliminates far too many notebooks, and even entire collections and store aisles of notebooks.

[hhw]

Your #5 is my #1, and I'm glad to learn about the Chemistry Notebooks, thanks!

[badgerbag.livejournal.com]

What about Moleskine? I like to have one small and one large. The large one is the perfect size and proportions, not too big, and has an elastic strap to keep it shut or bookmarked to a particular page (great for when you're writing in your lap in the car while driving). It's narrow rule (or blank, or checked). The back inside cover has an expanding pocket that opens inward so stuff doesn't fall out. I used to quest for the perfect notebook (though I never tried Levenger's) but once I hit the Moleskines I just kept using them. I go through a big one and a small one about every 3-6 months. The small one fits in a pocket and as I often am working on translations or poems, I can revise from one notebook to the other with new drafts without having to flip pages back and forth.

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

because I hold my pen oddly, spiral notebooks mean that I end up with spiral indentations in the side of my hand.

For this reason (and because I used to use the backs of pages, although less so now), I really like spiral notebooks with the spiral at the top. Find 'em mostly in the legal pad section of office supply stores, but I like the spirals better than the bound ones because you can fold the pages more smoothly over/back.

(Not that I don't think you know what works for you! But the top-binding of whatever sort might be useful, for your pen-holding approach.)

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

I have heard of the wonders of Moleskine, as one hears of the wonders of Shangri-La, but have never actually seen one in the, er, flesh.

I should indeed check them out.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

I used, and was grateful for, top spiral notebooks when I was in high school. The problem now is that the spiral snags on things (i.e., the contents of my purse, or the lining of my purse, or sometimes my clohtes) and ugly Escher-esque things happen. I've also never managed to own & use a spiral bound notebook, top or side, without bending the spiral out of shape to the point that the notebook became only problematically useable.

I am very hard on my belongings.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

V. welcome. They're great little notebooks if the purple doesn't alienate you.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

Most of the known world of notebooks, in fact.

It's very irksome.

[kate_nepveu]

Both Borders & Barnes and Noble carry them locally.

I don't use fountain pen ink, so I can't speak to that requirement, but I'd think they'd fit everything else.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Inspecting before purchasing is important and, sadly, one of the few things the Internet cannot do for me.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I number the ones that come unnumbered, too. I feel like I'm quoting from Mrissish Scripture sometimes if I see something like 14:7-12 in a computer file, but at least I can then go pick up journal #14 and turn to page 7 for what I need. A feature not to be underestimated.

My notebook needs have changed of late, and this notebook is a holdover from my old needs. It's been around way too long as a result: I used to like full 8x12s, because I was writing enough volume of stuff in them that I would go through smaller sizes way too fast. I rough drafted entire novels in my old notebooks. Now I do most of my novel composition on the computer, and a thick 8x12 lasts way too long and gets battered and also is large and heavy in my purse.

I should be done with this one by the time we leave for England, though, and your post reminded me to pick out which new one to take with. One of the ones porphyrin gave me should do nicely: closer to 5x8, soft but sturdy, looks like it opens pretty flat, tolerant.

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

I love the Gallery Leather softbound journals, which come in tan and black, and which I get from B&N.

Flaws: they are expensive. ($17.50)

Pluses: they are incredibly durable, very narrow ruled, squishable, softbound, and have good quality paper that holds fountain pen ink and pencil equally well. And they fit in a blazer pocket--important, as I do not generally carry a purse.

[hhw]

I've used Moleskines and like them very much (they have a pocket!) but the paper is not 100% ideal for fountain pen ink. It doesn't leak through, but it is sometimes visible on the other side. The texture is pretty good.

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

Have you tried going to a big office supply store and looking at account books? These are VERY durable, because they are meant to be written in every day. Most are divided into columns, but they used to have ones that were just lined, and usually narrow-lined, because bookkeepers want to get as much on one page as they can. The covers are uninspiring, and usually say "account book" or something one them. I used them for journals back when I kept them on paper instead of electrons.

I just checked the Office Max site, and they have a Miniature Ruled Record Account Book 7-7/8" x 5-1/4". Would that size work for you? I would go to the store to look at it before you buy it.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

I number the ones that come unnumbered, too. I feel like I'm quoting from Mrissish Scripture sometimes if I see something like 14:7-12 in a computer file, but at least I can then go pick up journal #14 and turn to page 7 for what I need. A feature not to be underestimated.

Yes!

I tried an 8x12 notebook exactly once, and it drove me nuts. It was just Too. Much. Paper. There's this small, silly, but undeniable sense of accomplishment I get from filling a notebook page, and the 8x12 did not satisfy that particular jones.

Oh, the brain is a peculiar place.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

The One True Notebook for me is steno pads.

I am thinking of making myself a chichi steno-pad cover. Of course, this does use up writing time...

[mmarques.livejournal.com]

I use a PDA, rather than a notebook except when planning a novel. This makes it easy for my notes and ideas to move to my computer. Also, I sync reading material from the net to my PDA (such as BBC), and I can electronically clip idea articles into my notes.

With a foldout keyboard (both PDA and keyboard can fit in my purse), I can even do lengthy writing. OK, I admit to writing the entire first draft (and second draft) of a novel on my PDA.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I keep the 3x5 Moleskine in my purse for catching stray thoughts. It holds up to purse-jostling very satisfactorily.

I'm between notebooks, myself

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

Rumor has it that they change paper stock without notice. My little one tolerates Noodler's waterproof FP inks (there she goes again with the Noodler's....) if used with fine-point FPs (Waterman Phileas, Esterbrook with 9788 nib, Namiki VP, Pelikan Go). There's a tiny bit of feathering, almost invisible, depending on the ink/pen combo. There is some show-through, so I tend only to write on right-hand pages.

I was very unhappy when I tried to use it with my Waterman 92 with a flex #2 nib, which laid down too much ink and caused lots of feathering/bleedthrough.

Also, the rules are .25 apart, which might not be a narrow enough rule for you? They're only a hair narrower than the rules in the tiny (3.5 x 5.5 in) Clairfontaine notebook I picked up a couple of weekends ago, and the Clairfontaine paper doesn't have feathering or bleeding problems with that Waterman 92.

[janni.livejournal.com]

Oh, I remember those chemistry notebooks! Mine were stained all sorts of awful colors because I actually used them in chemistry lab, and I actually wasn't very good at it.

I wrote despairing poetry about being trapped in lab in the back of them, though. :-)

[janni.livejournal.com]

And, umm, I kind of like the new color.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling of accomplishment. It has been lacking as I scribble through this poor, battered volume, and I hope to regain that kind of happiness with journaling in the next volume. Filling the pages, so pretty....

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, chacun a son gout.

Notebook modding

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

>now, instead of inoffensive denim-blue, the covers are lurid purple
>(the picture on artstuff's page is sadly not at all misleading).

How about painting/wrapping/covering up the lurid purple?

[larryhammer]

Yes, but you lead a Girl Scout Troop.

---L.

Re: Notebook modding

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

Thought of that, but there's the whole wear and tear issue (I am very hard on my belongings). I don't want to put effort into something that's just going to get trashed.

[katallen.livejournal.com]

The words 'I'm not alone' shouldn't be the first ones that hit me when I see narrow ruled. ::grins::

I've just about weaned myself from carrying a notebook around inside the house - I just pick up bits of paper and scribble in emergencies (backs of old envelopes from To the Occupier work fairly well) but I can't travel, or go anywhere I suspect I'll have any time to think, without a notebook, and not one of those dinky memo pads either - top spiral bounds do me alright, partly because my writing isn't as neat as it was. And I keep paper and pencil within reach when I have a bath, and when I'm cooking, and watching TV...

Well, if you're willing to buy 40 at a shot,

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

You can design your own lab notebooks: http://www.bookfactory.com/whats_new.html

(BTW, when did we become minotaurs instead of molehills?)

[porcinea.livejournal.com]

I love my Moleskin (the big dog *peed on it* and it's spotless after a wipe). Wish the paper were thicker, though. Ink (fountain or ballpoint) doesn't bleed through, but it does show on the other side as a dark line. I dislike the shadow.

[naominovik.livejournal.com]

Of course, this does use up writing time...

Wait, that's not a plus? ;-)

(I too spent writing time putting together a bind-your-own journal kit from the sadly defunct volcanobookarts.com. Very fun.)

truepenny, I am constantly coveting the beautiful journals at Kate's Paperie. Browsing their online store, here's one that's both small and beautiful and cheap, with lined pages, and they have others too.

http://www.katespaperie.com/store/productView.php?PG=30&item=3665000048

Of course, I am probably not the right person to weigh in, because I have about five million notebooks in various stages of non-completion lying around the house. My real notebook is a 3lb sony vaio, which is light enough for even wimpy me to carry around pretty much everywhere, and for everywhere else, the memo pad program on my Kyocera smartphone. *pins on geek badge*

Re: Well, if you're willing to buy 40 at a shot,

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

(BTW, when did we become minotaurs instead of molehills?)

Um. It was a while back, I don't remember exactly when.

[janni.livejournal.com]

(sticks out tongue)

[hhw]

I just got one at the Portland (OR) State University bookstore; all they had were blue covers (and they had a lot). Other university stores may have similar caches of the older design, at least until the fall semester begins.

Re: Well, if you're willing to buy 40 at a shot,

[janni.livejournal.com]

Oooh--not just lab notebooks, any notebooks.

Oooh ...