Feel free to suggest more in the comments.

Loving every bit of that Yu-sari. Specially for the price tag.

22 y/o in therapy for a few things. My therapist told me to get a journal to write in about the various mental health stuff I deal with day to day.

Went to Barnes & Noble and picked this black leather one up. Feels really good in the hand, nice paper to write on too. Its got just enough room between the outside of it and where the pages come together so I can slip my pen in there (also picked up a Parker Jotter stainless, I can post pics of that too if anyone's interested).

Just figured i would take it seriously if I got some stuff that I would want to keep safe and actually write in. Thanks for looking!

I have purchased so many notebooks in the past six months. I tend to have preferences about things and find it hard to let those go--sometimes that can be unhealthy perfectionism, sometimes I call it "I like what I like." It is what it is. But I am reaching burn out trying to find a notebook that brings me joy to write in.

I've realized that I prefer B6. I used to use a5 when I journaled before putting the hobby down a few years ago, but picking that size back up I find it's too intimidating--too much space I need to fill. I like to decorate my pages (not quite junk journaling, but a little zhuzh; some washi tape here and there, throw a sticker on) Otherwise the page feels too bland to me. A5=too much space to cover; A6=too little space. I like the small size of a6, it doesn't take much to fill the page but then that's where I get issues. So, B6 is working for me. But so few notebooks come in that size!

I also have a thing about white paper. I used to be an off-white lover. I primarily used Leuchtturm, MD, Moleskin back in the day. Then I got a Notebook Therapy and the pages were white and I almost didn't use it but thought what the hey. And then I realized how much more I like it--the colors of brush pens and colored gel pens pop; stickers and washi tape don't feel as drab. I tried to get back in with NT but the large dot grid--5mm I think--makes me feel like I'm using a wide-ruled. My handwriting gets sloppier. And I like grid lines, they fill the blank space to tie everything together without overwhelming the spread, as long as they're not too dark. Oh, and I like my notebooks like I like my lovers, a little chunky, a little heavy. (Sorry for the crudeness). But seriously, I start to resource guard when notebooks are under 200 pages, there's not enough time to spend together. SO, B6 with white paper, grids smaller than 5mm, 200+ pages.

But then uh oh hooray, I got into fountain pens! And I love them, I want to use them everyday. But gosh does the super thin paper of some of these fountain pen friendly paper notebooks feel like a scam. I mean, I like nibs of all sizes--extra fine all the way up to stub. But most of these papers start to get bleed through after a medium nib. And the ghosting on some of them! I'm too old to be ghosted anymore. But whatever, it is what it is. I'd take some ghosting over bleeding out if choices gotta be made, and they sure do in this market. The other thing that is like spikes in my road is when journals have flimsy covers. I don't need a hardcover; I like softcovers! But I don't like when it's like frozen pizza box flimsy and thin. I want the journal to feel like it's special, not a throw away scratch pad.

Anyways, this is my burn out rant. I'll talk to my therapist about it someday, but I thought I'd post it on the internet first.

And because I love lists, here are the notebooks I've tried and why I'm frustrated:
Wonderland222--honestly, the best I've tried so far. I'm using an a6 for ink swatches right now. There isn't a whole lot of bleed through, and less ghosting than others (I've tried every year they have--2026 they say it's "white" paper, they're lyin.) But the page setup--the numbers on the side and the three-way sectioning? It feels mathematical, and I'm trying to write about how much I love florence + the machine, medieval history, and pumpkin spice creamer in my coffee on a crisp morning.
Sterling Ink--Kicking myself for getting into notebooks right after they switched to Koji. I mean my god. If Koji Paper has no haters, I'm dead. The sickly cream color? And this paper, it's microscopic, the ghosting is barely a ghost, it's a full living thing showing through that page okay. That's not even to bring up the bleed through and the feathering.
Sarica Studios--lovely paper, honestly. But I need 200+ pages and B6.
Leuchtturm--cream, dot grid, and last I used them they were around 5mm
Moleskin--not white, grid lines were way too dark.
MD--I love how little ghosting there is. I hate the yellow color of the paper, and I hate the blueish grid color, and I hate it to my core that the grid lines do not meet. I know it's intentional, but to me it feels like when a line is crooked and you can't see anything else.
Penco--The plastic covers are giving water resistant military pocket book.
Traveler Co--No B6, hardly any pages to admire.
Stalogy--Good lord, how much I WANT to love this notebook. I have tried so hard, it's so convenient. I like the look, I like that the covers aren't flimsy bits of whatever. I like the white pages, the soft grid, the size of the grid. I like that they come in different sizes, that you can get over 300+ pages. But this paper... it is worse than Koji. I can't write anything without the words fleeing to the other side of the paper. The bleed through is fatal.
Tiny Grids--I also really want to like them. And I do! I'd recommend these notebooks to people who are don't have my issues (which is anyone, basically, I am a unique thing) But those grids, they are not tiny. They are vast.
Plannermonkeyco--Another notebook that doesn't quite work. I love a good flop on a paperback book. The way these journals lay flat is amazing. But something about the grids going up to the edges of the paper, it feels...childish to me? It's hard to explain. Overall, it doesn't feel like a notebook that I can treasure, that is going to sit on my shelf after I finish it like a trophy.
Nolty--Once again, a notebook that I wish I could love. But the a5 is so big, and the header on these is substantial; I could write a whole abstract in that header. But the best quality paper for no ghosting or bleed through.
Hobonichi notebooks-- I like the alternating colors, but not enough to want to use it as my notebook. Maybe if the grid didn't go edge to edge--it just doesn't feel intentional, the whole thing.

I've tried others but I'm wearing myself out. I'm not even going to proofread, I'll just get worked back up again and I've been avoiding eating dinner for two hours now already.

Ripped out the tablet tray sewed in black fake leather looking fabric. Yes by hand used the holes of the already exsisting stitches.

A few holes for some elastic bands. End a pic of my son in the former camera cut out.

Hey all!
I'm planning to diy my own journal cover that can fit multiple journals. I have the supplies coming in the mail soon but I'm lost on which notebooks to get because I don't want to accidentally invest in ones that won't end up fitting my need.

I'm looking for one A5 notebook (ideally dotted) for mainly writing but I also want to be able to use all my pens in there so ideally something that won't bleed through easily.
And I'm looking for multiple thinner (maybe softcover) notebooks for drawing, quickly noting down ideas and projects that need to be self contained. So ideally those or at least one of them should also work with a bigger section of pens and hold watercolor or acrylics!

For my daily planning I use a Hobonichi Weeks which I LOVE writing in but the paper bleeds through so easily, so that probably isn't my best bet.

I'm in Germany/Europe in case someone has "local" recommendations!

Thank you all <3

I came across this old sketchbook. I am having difficulty in finding the brand/company and a sale listing. Maybe someone can help?

Thanks!

Hi everyone.

So I realised that I don't like cream paper which sadly takes out Midori from contention. Which sucks because I do like the way the paper feels. I just dislike that is so freaking yellow.

So I'm looking for other alternatives, preferably that have more than 250 pages. The thing is, most if not all the ones I've seen use PU leather covers which is an absolute no for me. I hate this rubbish. All the ones I have with it that are years old are flaking and since I keep my journals I want something that won't desintegrate on me.

Another important item is that it's located within the EU as shipping things outside of it nowadays is a pain I don't want to get into. I want to be able to order and not be hit with twice the amount on import fees.

Thanks in advance.

Love the additional cover of Midori so I'm leaning towards it, wonder is 1 better then the other ?

what do you use for revision notes when exams are around the corner?

TL;DR: Having a hard time deciding on A6 Leuchtturm rulings - anyone willing to share pictures of their (empty) pages from dotted/grid Leuchtturm A6 notebooks?

Hallo!

I'm using among other notebooks a A6/pocket notebook from Leuchtturm as my go-to-carry-in-the-pocket notebook, I love it because of the size, durability and sturdyness of the hardcover. Resisted buying them for a long time because of the price, but after years of looking for a hardcover notebook I gave in, its expensive but also worth it.

I'm getting started with the field word for my master thesis and being a by-hand-notetaker naturally I'm having my thesis notebook(s) but the are too large for practical use in the field so I'm looking for another A6 one. When I got my first Leuchtturm notebook I decided on the lined one, the dots in the dotted felt too big and I was afraid the grid one will be too prominent.

I would prefer a dotted or grid page layout for my field notes, but I also know that too dark lines or weird spacing would mess with my thoughts which absolutely isn't helpful when you aim at reducing being biased. The notebooks in the stores are foil wrapped, a well known issue, or a least I've seen it mentioned here a few times... I also googled around and found a few pictures of the rulings but it's kinda hard to tell, as those are usually pictures by vendors.

If you have a dotted / grid A6 Leuchtturm (hardcover) notebook - would you be willing to share a few pictures of the lineature? I would appreciate it a lot!

Can also share some pictures of my lined ones, although there are some decent pictures already from lined ones. But maybe this little comparison thread could be helpful for other people too.

Not sure what kind of material it is but when it lightly gets scratched some pieces of rubber comes off it. I don’t want to replace it yet because i’m already at page 47 of 200 (yay!), i love writing in this journal despite me drifting on and off journalling. Was wondering if putting stickers or washi tape will help or just ruin it.

Hi everbody!

I made a video about the delivery process of Roterfaden. I read some posts about people complaining of delivery times and package quality. With me it happened the opposite and the package arrived as fast as any delivery from within Brazil. I bought the A5 version from Jetpens many days before and is still in USA.

Hiya, hoping someone out there has both the Lochby Mini Field Journal and the Lochby Field Folio A6 and can help me visualize. I have a Mini Field Journal and absolutely love it because it is just big enough to keep a couple notebooks, but small enough that it is with me all of the time. I use it as a wallet. It is just a little big to be literally in my pocket, but it is my ride-or-die. I've really developed good consistent notebook habits as a result and I don't want that to change. However, there's a couple of reasons why A6 would be a little nicer than the pocket size. I know the Field Folio A6 isn't a lot bigger, BUT my intuition tells me it's just enough bigger that I will resist carrying it with me 100% of the time. That's a deal-breaker. Can anyone show them side by side so I can really get a grasp on it?

In case anyone has an ideas on this, I keep a Leachtturm1917 pocket notebook with me in the Mini Field Journal. It's great for what I use it for, but it fills up quick. I'm using roughly a notebook every 4-6 weeks. That means that the velocity is no good for "collections" if you're familiar with that Bujo term. I'd love to have a way to keep revisable lists with me, and I think this little notebook/binder is a candidate: Kakuyo 2x2 A6 Notebook Binder. Anyway, it will fit in the Field Folio A6 I bet, but certainly not the Mini Field Journal. So I'm trying to figure things out.

Thanks, all!

Hi- I am hoping someone has an idea on the perfect everyday notebook for me! I have severe ADHD, I work an office job as a supervisor and have to write down everything basically.

I currently like sketch books- because they are blank pages (I don’t like lines) and I can use colored highlighters/ pens and it doesn’t bleed through at all.
I like that it’s spiral because I want it to not be too small but also fold perfectly and not take up too much room on my desk.

Why I want something different than sketch book is because they aren’t that cute.

I use about 1-2 pages a week, I do a to do list do the week and on the order side of the page I put all my sticky notes / reminders I’ve used.

I’d love to have a calendar in the back- any customizable options? Thanks in advance!!!!!

I love how quickly I can get my notebook ready for the month.

Hello! I am looking for an alternative to the Hobonichi A6 Techo for 2027 and I'm wondering if anyone here has a suggestion that meets my (kinda specific) criteria:

I love my Hobonichi covers, so I definitely want to keep using them, but there are too many...extras? in the Techo. I don't use the back pages at all and I primarily use my A6 for journaling, not calendaring, so I don't make good use of the front sections, either. Basically I want a dated diary or notebook (it can have some calendar spreads at the front, I will find a way to use them) that has 1 page per day (it doesn't HAVE to be dated, but I want to be able to journal for a whole year in one book, which is why the Hobonichi A6 notebooks aren't an option, not enough pages!), fits in an A6 cover comfortably, and has a grid. Bonus points if you know of an option that uses Tomoe River paper as well, but I'm open to trying out something else (I know some people use the Midori Hibino, so maybe that's where I should be looking?).

I just get really overwhelmed when I look at the various options on Etsy and don't want to gamble on something that might not even fit properly in my A6 covers, so figured someone here might be able to point me in the right direction. Thank you in advance :)

I’m looking for these notebooks/notepads! I’d rather find them at a physical store. Does anyone know where I could get them? 🥹 📍Japan

tldr: i love the medium size (4.5 x 6.9 in) moleskine notebooks but would much prefer a grid or dotted layout. any and all suggestions very appreciated!

Cleaning the office, and finished a ton of notebooks this year!

The majority of these are DIY. I have not used all of them. But the act of making and collecting this is what I find fun.

I have been journaling for many years. Documenting my daily activities and where I traveled to or how many miles I drove that day. Where I started and ended my day. What type of load I hauled and the weight of said load.

Care to share some prompts or ideas? Shoot, your journaling ecosystem.

on the shelf, the two notebooks on the left (blue and green): complete!

Next three laying down: in use. Top one I put a new fabric cover on it’s a ledger for mother-in-law, autumnal middle one is current writing journal, bottom one in sage and gold is for nature journal I’m trying to draw in there weekly or bi-monthly.

Everything to the right of those on the shelf:ready and waiting to be used (there’s eight, mostly bought new but some thrifted).

Everything in basket below is thrifted, including the basket!

Left side: five more notebooks to recover with fabric. One thrifted still in shrink wrap I need to remove some unneeded prompt pages then ready to use - “Grandmas Stories” but I won’t be using it for grandkids to someday read.

Right side: ten thrifted books to make my own signatures for and use the existing covers.

Cabinet to the right with chicken feed sack (also thrifted!): holds all the dip pens, fountain pens, inks, and few other drawing supplies.

I’ll be set for a while thought I still can’t help but look at journals when I visit the thrift store.