Category Archives: Brands

Japan’s Obsession with Paper

A fascinating article from the BBC about Japan’s traditions around the use of paper. Towards the end, there is a mention of the popularity of using planners such as the Hobonichi Techo: There are also still strong advocates for paper’s analogue charm in a world that is becoming increasingly digital. Japan’s so-called “techo culture” celebrates … Continue reading Japan’s Obsession with Paper

Tru Red Notebook Review

I spotted the Tru Red notebook on one of my periodic trips to Staples. This is a house brand for them, manufactured in Turkey, with a variety of notebook styles, page formats and sizes available. When I saw that they had pocket size notebooks with dot grid and squared pages available, I decided to add … Continue reading Tru Red Notebook Review

Mottled Pressboard Notebooks

Only the biggest stationery geek in the world goes around saying things like “I LOVE MOTTLED PRESSBOARD!” Only the biggest stationery geeks probably even know what it is… in fact, I myself didn’t know what it was until just recently. Or rather, I knew what it was but I didn’t know what it was called. … Continue reading Mottled Pressboard Notebooks

Pen & Ink Sketchbook: Then & Now Review

This look at the Pen & Ink Sketchbook is the 2nd post in my “Then and Now” series, examining various notebook brands that have been around for a while to see how they’ve changed. (See my “then and now” post about the Rhodia Webnotebook). I am always griping about how Moleskine’s notebooks have declined in … Continue reading Pen & Ink Sketchbook: Then & Now Review

Neil Gaiman on Notebooks and Fountain Pens

During an interview with Tim Ferriss, Neil Gaiman talks about his love for Leuchtturm notebooks and the Pilot Falcon fountain pen, among other writing tools: Tim Ferriss: You mentioned distraction earlier and your dangerously adorable son, which I certainly agree with. I had read somewhere, actually, before I get to that, this might seem like a … Continue reading Neil Gaiman on Notebooks and Fountain Pens

Nolty Daily Book and Other 2020 Diaries

My Nolty addiction went a little overboard this year. I was so intrigued by some of the 2020 formats that I ended up buying 4 diaries, including the new Nolty Daily Book. I’m not totally sure how I’m going to use all of them! First, the Nolty Efficiency Notebook Gold. This is my second year … Continue reading Nolty Daily Book and Other 2020 Diaries

Yoseka Notebook Review

Yoseka Stationery is a wonderful little independent stationery shop in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens, NYC. I visited the shop about a year ago and had a great chat with the owners, Daisy and Neil. I bought my Kokuyo Sketch Book there, as well as some ink. (I felt like I’d showed admirable restraint, given … Continue reading Yoseka Notebook Review

2019 Image Diary

As mentioned in a recent post about my daily carry notebooks, I’ve been using an extra Nolty diary to keep a scrapbook of interesting images, often artworks seen in the newspaper or a magazine, or sometimes just random clippings and bits of washi tape. A couple people have asked if I print out online images, … Continue reading 2019 Image Diary

Notebook Addict of the Week: Gary Varner

What notebooks would you pack for a year-long road trip? Gary is back home now, I think, but he spent a year traveling around the USA in a camper van and the photos below show the notebooks he brought with him: What does a stationery fanatic and writer do to haul the necessary tools and … Continue reading Notebook Addict of the Week: Gary Varner

Productivity Planners

Here’s an interesting reader question about productivity planners: Hi I wonder if you have reviewed (productivity) Planners or if your readers can recommend some. Semi-business types with annual goals to help track goals break down tasks and monitor progress. Something like these type of planners: – http://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-undated-planners-productivity.html Of the undated planners mentioned in the linked article, … Continue reading Productivity Planners