Here’s the latest batch of questions from our readers:
Hillary loved the Writersblok Planner, but they aren’t making one for 2018. (The company is hoping to bring it back in the future.) She is looking for an alternative. What are your favorite planners to recommend? I am loving my Japanese Nolty planner and totally recommend it, but the brand is not easy to find.
Fatima is looking for a 5-year journal. I haven’t used the Shopsin 5 Year Diary but I’m always tempted by them when I see them in stores:
This one from Levenger also looks nice:
From Damien:
Within the last week I have begun my final year studies in Interior Design at the Art school and was looking for (in my head) the perfect sketchbook/ journal to play with and sketch the thoughts roaming around my head.
After must research I came across the idealistic Nanami ‘CrossField’ Journal, edition 1. Now the edition one has a dotted layout, and is no longer in production where Edition 2 although available has a grid ( which I’m not fond of).
Is there anyway you know how to grab a 1st edition, or have one you are willing to part with at a price? I would be interested in chatting.
I unfortunately don’t have any source for the first edition. Any readers out there want to sell one to Damien? In searching for alternatives, I’m not sure what would meet all the same specs (A5, 480 pages, dot or cross grid, Tomoe River paper) I found this A5 size dotted Tomoe River notebook by Taroko Design on Amazon, but it is not as thick as the Crossfield.
From Edie:
I’m in the market for a new notebook. I have been using Poppin’s Medium Spiral Bound Notebooks, but they don’t make them with the number of pages I need (a lot of pages). Can you recommend something similar, with hard covers, a small size, and a good amount of pages? I’d put a link to the one I’m using, but they don’t make it anymore. Here’s something similar, but the one I have is 5″x8″, and 180 pages.
What pops into my head as a possible solution is Miquelrius. They have some thicker spiral notebooks like this one, which has 300 pages, though I’m not sure if the cover is as thick as you are looking for:
From Tamra:
If you have an opinion, I would love the advice, I’m currently shopping for a new fountain pen friendly bujo, and having a hard time. Preferably I’d like a non-white dot grid (boxed would work), not overly crazy abt Leuchtturms lately for some reason or another.
What about a Rhodia Webnotebook? Dot-grid versions are available:
As always, thank you to everyone for your questions, and for your patience with me as I take forever to respond to them! Thanks too to anyone who can help their fellow readers out in the comment section.
I’m not willing to part with my 1st Edition Crossfield but I can suggest checking out Taroko’s Etsy store. Particularly the Enigma. It’s the 68gsm rather than the 52gsm paper and is White rather than Cream but having used both I do find I prefer the 68gsm as it’s less shadowing. I do prefer the cream, easier on my eyes, but I feel some ink colors look washed out on it compared to the white. Just my opinion though.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TarokoShop
Forgot to mention it’s the same if not more pages than the Crossfield.
Nanami Paper is bringing back the Crossfield with the original cross grid layout! The third edition has gray crosses instead of light blue, but it’s exactly the same as the first edition otherwise.
Re: Planners
I have used the classic DayTimer system for over 20 years. I have the 7-ring small binder and I just buy the refills every year. I also keep all of my past calendars in small binders on my shelf to refer to, which I actually do more often than you might think.
The system doesn’t work for everyone of course but I like the way the pages are divided into sections for task lists and scheduled meetings. I use the two-page per week system, but there are multiple options.