r/notebooks • • Jul 09 '26

"What can I do with this notebook?"

180 Upvotes

This is a pretty common question in subs like this. Either someone received a new notebook as a gift, or they couldn't help themselves from buying a new one, or they have a partially used notebook they want to fill.

Or they're trying to figure out what to do with the massive stack they've accumulated after years of "I'll find a use for this" and allowing that as justification to keep buying more... Ahem.

Beyond the normal "Just write in it, use it as a diary," here's some ideas on what you could do with an unused or unfinished notebook:

  • Commonplace / zibaldone journal
  • Brain dump / soliloquy journal
  • Quotes / lyrics / poetry
  • Media / entertainment tracker (Movies, tv shows, games, etc)
  • Bullet journal (method for a DIY daily planner, get started here)
  • To-do lists
  • All kinds of lists (e.g., "lists of 100" like "100 things you saw this week")
  • Gratitude
  • Grievances (the opposite of gratitude, what bothered you today)
  • Idea notebook
  • Quick thoughts
  • Art (Sketches / drawings / zentangles)
  • Dream log
  • The Artist's Way Morning Pages
  • Travel journal
  • Things you've learned
  • Bucket list / goals
  • Unsent letters
  • Dedicated handwriting practice
  • RPG journaling (there's games you can find online for it and r/Solo_Roleplaying)
  • Food or drink tracker, such as keeping track of teas you've tried
  • Things you overheard that are worth remembering
  • People you meet
  • Funny facts
  • Gaming journal
  • Language practice

Added since I made this post-

  • Keep track of plants/gardening
  • Master index for all your journals
  • Project tracker
  • Hobby tracker
  • A place to write down memories and stories from your life
  • Memories of friends and family
  • Review places you go
  • Homeowner notes like chores, bills, and when things need to be fixed/replaced
  • A journal to give your child(ren) someday, such as letters to them and their milestones
  • Notes and milestones for pets
  • Things like tarot or shadow work
  • Swatches (ink, yarn, embroidery thread, ribbon, washi tape, etc)
  • Scent tracker (perfume/cologne, would not suggest attempting to store the actual scents in there)
  • General feelings
  • Chronic pain tracker
  • Prayer/devotional journal
  • "Practice" journal to get thoughts out before actual journaling
  • Distractions when you should've been doing something else

Feel free to suggest more in the comments.


r/notebooks • • 57m ago

Black pages

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• Upvotes

Last night I made myself an A5 notebook with black pages, orange fly’s and a kraft card cover. The white ink looks great on the contrasting black pages.


r/notebooks • • 17h ago

How many notebooks do you use, and what do you use each one for?

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192 Upvotes

I currently have three notebooks going:

  • A pocket notebook for quick notes, random thoughts, and anything that comes to mind;
  • A work notebook, mostly for daily logs, tasks, and some bullet journaling (green one)
  • A general notebook for knowledge, ideas, and things I want to remember, although it's slowly turning into a diary (rhodia).

Lately, I've been thinking about getting a fourth, slightly larger notebook (B5) to use as a proper commonplace book, but I'm wondering if that might be overkill.

So I'm curious: how many notebooks do you have going at once? Do you keep separate ones for different purposes, or just throw everything into one?

I feel like I'm constantly rethinking my setup, so I'd love to hear what works for you!


r/notebooks • • 9h ago

no one told me B6 notebooks are so...cute!

40 Upvotes

I've been an A5 or 7x9 notebook user all my life and never really thought to try other sizes, but I recently picked up a B6 on a whim and I cannot get over the size. I knew the measurements beforehand and how it would compare to my usual A5 size, but actually holding this little guy in my hands, it's adorable! So compact! I suddenly understand the appeal of this size!

I just had to share and I figured someone in this sub might relate to my utter fascination with my new notebook LOL


r/notebooks • • 16h ago

DIY i made a journal cover with yarn

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60 Upvotes

leather covers are pretty but they are expensive so i made one with yarn.


r/notebooks • • 17h ago

Notebook Share Pentalic Traveler 3" x 4" Pocket Sketchbooks just came in!

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57 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 7m ago

Went back for more Yamamoto Paper RO-BIKI NOTEs

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• Upvotes

I really enjoyed the ones I bought before, so I couldn’t resist picking up a few more designs. The Museum Series especially got me. They’re almost too pretty to use.
I also grabbed a few from the See-through and Shape Series this time. I love how every cover has such a different feel while still keeping that simple RO-BIKI look.


r/notebooks • • 11h ago

Journal “inserts” ?

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10 Upvotes

Hello!! I am quite new when it comes to journalling and I have almost filled my first book!

I have these two really nice leather journals I bought when I went to Italy, but they both have these paper “inserts” rather than the paper actually being apart of the journal (picture for better reference). I don’t know if that is normal for leather journals, but nonetheless I wanted to know what the specific term for these “inserts” are so I can buy more and replenish my journal.

I tried to look up “inserts for leather journals” but haven’t found exactly what my journal has…could anyone help :)?

Thank you🥲🥲!


r/notebooks • • 6h ago

Advice needed Pocket or A6

3 Upvotes

I recently bought a Paper Republic Grand Voyageur Pocket, but unfortunately, it doesn’t fit all my notebooks. I absolutely love the size, though!

I’ve been looking at Nota Leather, as they use the same leather as Paper Republic but are more affordable. They offer both a Pocket and an A6 version with pockets, and you can even choose between compact and extended

I’m so torn between all the options! I’m really leaning towards the A6, but I just can’t make up my mind.

Does anyone here own both sizes? Is there a big difference between them? Which one would you choose?

The plan is to carry it around with me everywhere, so I’d love something that’s practical and easy to bring along:)


r/notebooks • • 1h ago

Advice needed paper republic grand voyageur: does normal A6 stationary fit?

• Upvotes

I'm torn on buying PB Grand Voyageur. I like their "weekly planner" and wanted to give it a shot, but I see their sizes are on the edge of A6 and it looks like the other notebooks (like Midori) would not fit and stick out a bit. Is it true? and how annoying is it?

My alternative was ordering it from Etsy and buying PB planner and putting them inside a more normal leather journal which can house A6.


r/notebooks • • 18h ago

Advice needed Bottom of notebooks keep getting ruined

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20 Upvotes

I was wondering if anyone knows why the bottom of my notebooks keeps getting ruined like this? I don’t know if it’s the brand of notebook or the pen, but it’s happened to multiple notebooks of mine, and in the exact same spot. Never at the top or the sides.

With this notebook especially, I took greater care to avoid water and rain, but it still ended up like this. I put the brand of notebook and pen for reference.


r/notebooks • • 1h ago

Notebook Share Mead Composition only at Walgreen’s

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• Upvotes

These are oversized books larger than standard with a durable cover not the hard cardboard type. They have in the past come in many nice colors. Only at Walgreen’s.


r/notebooks • • 21h ago

Sparco 10.5x8 Spiral Notebook has changed and not for the better!

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32 Upvotes

I have been using the Sparco 10.5x8 120-page 3-subject college ruled spiral for all of my note taking for 20 years. The part number is 83254 and the sku is 035255832540 (for individual pads). They sell a 6 pack with the item number SPR83254BD.

To stay ahead of my need I generally order them a dozen at a time. The last one I got is on top in the photos.

Unfortunately, despite the same part numbers, the lastest version has changed and lost the two key things that make it my go to pad:

  1. The original has 54 loops in the spiral and the diameter of the loops is barely larger than the thickness of the book. This batch has 32 and they are much larger than they need to be.

  2. The original has thick lines that is just what I am used to looking at and the new one has super thin lines.

I can find the pad at several minor online sellers but I have no way to know if it is the old version or the new version. I am frustrated and don't want to order a new pack over and over hoping to get the design I want.

I need an alternative or some assistance otherwise. It must be 10.5x8 to fit my folio.


r/notebooks • • 18h ago

Advice needed How many notebooks in a a5 Hobonichi cover?

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19 Upvotes

Hi! i bought my first Hobonichi item a few days ago (a Techo Planner A5 Cover + plastic cover for cover).

I was wondering if this is the correct/ best way to fit multiple journals in it and i’m also curious how others do this. as in what works for you, what doesn’t, etc etc..

My set up now is:
a blank Leuchtturm1917 Jottbook (small notebook), with one flap in the cover.
a thin notebook in the middle, with both flaps in the cover.
and a Muji weekly planner, with one flap on the other side.

Is this is the best way to go about it? Am i maybe damaging the cover in the long run by adding 3 notebooks?

Any advice/ suggestions welcome! Thank you for reading.


r/notebooks • • 15h ago

Notebook Share Anyone else doodle on the end sheets of their notebooks?

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8 Upvotes

There's something quite satisfying and meditative about it.


r/notebooks • • 18h ago

Notebooks in Pop Culture Está bitácora del árbol de Gondor.

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10 Upvotes

En los años de oficio. He preparado varias versiones de este árbol. Me encanta recrear los grabados del universo Tolkien.


r/notebooks • • 19h ago

Midori MD notebook with rounded corners, is it bad?

10 Upvotes

Hey all, first post here :)

TLDR: I wanna buy a Midori notebook but I kinda wanna round the corners myself since I think I like it better when notebooks have rounded corners but I'm uncertain about it, wondering what your opinions are.

...

So lately I've been getting more into writing on paper. Kinda like a journaling practice maybe? just a big brain dump every so often several times a day.

So

I started on Fieldnotes and quickly I was filling them really fast so I decided to start making my own pocket notebooks modeled after field notes, size, staples, round corners, same page count.
Then I started getting more into fountain pens. Im an artist so I only used them for drawing but turns out they are great to write (duh) I also used mostly Moleskine sketchbooks and blank paper ones, with round corners.

So, lately I've been having the itch to try out a Midori MD notebook to write this journal/braindump thing just out of curiosity cause everyone raves about the Midori paper.

was looking online and I think Im gonna go for the A5 dot grid regular one and if I like it I might go for the chunky boy 1 page a day one.

HOWEVER.....this notebooks don't have rounded corners but I do have one of those corner rounder puncher things that I was using for my diy field notes and I think I prefer them that way but I also kinda like the ultra minimal aesthetic of the Midori but in my mind I kinda think rounded corners are more "fancy" (I really don't know)

So was wondering what your opinions are or if someone has already done this same thing of rounding the corners of a Midori notebook?

Is it good? does it really ruin the aesthetic? Do you like it? Do you regret it? Please let me know.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Review Muji Notebook

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147 Upvotes

When buying a Muji notebook I always opted for high-quality paper. If you are a fountain user you will know.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Recommendation Journal/notebook recommendations?

9 Upvotes

I’m looking for a notebook that I can use for my anime journal and food journal. Currently I’m using the KOKUYO PERPANEP Notebook - Tsuru Tsuru from JetPens. But as I use it more, I’m starting to dislike the paper, it’s kinda too smooth for me. Here’s what im looking for in a notebook:

-A5 or B6 size
-3mm or 4mm graph/grid
-lay flat binding
-paper that can handle fountain pen ink, stickers, and washi tape
-minimalist design

I’m leaning more towards Wonderland222. But if anyone has other or better recommendations please let me know.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed Life Noble grids

4 Upvotes

On a whim, I picked up a "Life Noble Memo" pad, B7 size, in the "section" pattern, i.e. 5 mm grid. I noticed that the grid is only printed on one side of the paper; the back is blank. Is this also the case for the notebooks, or do they have the grid pattern on both sides of the paper?


r/notebooks • • 2d ago

Notebook Share pocket journal is my most treasured thing i own

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608 Upvotes

have some of my pages of which i’ve doodled myself


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Maybe the nice notebook just needs a worse name

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34 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 2d ago

Pocket sized notebooks

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110 Upvotes

I make these pocket sized notebooks, what do you think? The translucent binder keeps three of them together.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed I have five notebooks that I use for drawing. There is something I've been thinking lately.

17 Upvotes

When all of the pages are full in all five of my notebooks, do I keep them in a box, or do I throw them in the recycle or use a paper shredder?


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed Looking for Thick, Durable Notebooks

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3 Upvotes