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Best Choice for Journaling Nov 24, 2008 (31 of 31 found this helpful)
I've been journaling ever since I was a pimply-faced teenager, and now I'm 31. In that time, I've used all varieties of notebooks, and filled them all. I came across the Moleskine brand a few years ago, and now I won't use anything else. The large ruled notebook is sturdy, of excellent construction, holds I think 265 pages, and the pages will not fall out. This notebook is best for writers and diarists.
I wouldn't use this book for school because, first of all, it is expensive. Second of all, it's a bit of overkill. I doubt you'll take a class in which you'll have time to fill up this notebook. You'll be more organized in a class if you buy a simple lab book or composition book to take notes in for each class.
I know a lot of people who try to write in jounals. They buy them with the best intentions, write a couple of pages, and then seem to forget about them and eventually buy ANOTHER journal, in which they will write a few pages and forget about. The key is just to keep the SAME journal, to keep in it in the same safe place, and to write in it whenever you feel like it, even if months go by without you touching it. If someone buys you another journal, fill up the first one first, and then move on to the new one. You can learn from my experience and start with the best, which is Moleskine. Otherwise . . . do whatever you want. The main thing is just to have something to write in.
I've also used all variety of pens. My choice is the Pilot Precise V5. Every now and then you'll get a bum one, that you've just got to throw away because it's not writing smoothly or properly. But, for the most part, these are the best choice for journaling and writing. They are fine point. They last longer than gel ink. They require no pressure whatsoever to be placed on the tip, as ball-point pens do, and they don't smear.
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The Positive Talk is Right! Jun 7, 2008 (15 of 16 found this helpful)
I've heard these books are wonderful. I take a lot of notes at my job. Having struggled with wire bound books (the bindings getting bent or snagging clothing) and being teased about being too old to use composition books, these notebooks are a joy to use. The attached ribbon bookmark and elastic band close have come in handy to use. The paper is smooth and a heavier weight than other notebooks. The paper is also a cream colored so there is no glare when writing in bright sunlight. The book is tough enough to be out on the job but professional looking enough for meetings. Love this book! I'm planning to buy more and have the covers laser-etched to give out as gifts.
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A Ferrari exterior, with a Pinto drivetrain Sep 30, 2008 (59 of 75 found this helpful)
Okay. I admit it. I fell for the hype. Not so much the company line ("this book used by famous artists, and writers" blah blah blah)... but the beautiful exterior, clean professional design, and... naively... assumed that for twelve bucks, I was getting something nice.
Well... yes and no.
They're "okay". Everything I thought was special about them is true. They really look like something a professional would use. They look like something you could proudly use to write in while your sipping a latte at Starbucks. They have a look that makes people ask you what you're writing in, and where you got it.
Unfortunately, it doesn't deliver on the aspect that I took for granted. The paper.
I'd read some reviews that said the paper was cheap, and that it wasn't good for artists. I... equally naively... disregarded those opinions, because I couldn't believe that such a nice (and expensive) product would go cheap on the most important part of a notebook. The part you write/draw on.
I've tried gel pens, felt pens, ball-point pens, liquid ink pens... they all cause problems. Gel pens, and liquid ink pens smudge too much to be of any use (great for artists, eh?). Ball point pens are just cheap, ugly, and work poorly, and felt-tip pens look nice, and dry quickly enough, but bleed straight through to the other side, forcing you to only write on one side of each page. Certainly not what a journal writer, or novelist would prefer.
If there is a form of pen that writes on these things satisfactorily, I've honestly not found it.
I wanted to love the Moleskine. I love the story (I didn't believe the story about Picasso, Hemingway, or Chatwin, but it is a compelling one). I love the design. I love the binding. I love the elastic strap. I love the bookmark. I love everything about them except for the paper.
It'd be like buying a Ferrari, and finding out someone replaced the engine with that of a Pinto. It looks great. Its a conversation starter. You might impress some people. Yet in the end, it just isn't satisfying to use.
Honestly, the paper in a ninety nine cent composition book is better.
I'll be looking elsewhere from now on.
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The Classic - Don't go for look-alikes, they are not the same... Jan 20, 2009 (9 of 10 found this helpful)
I love the Moleskine notebooks. Every year I buy a new ruled notebook to journal, tape keepsakes, draw, list up, and record in. This year I'm going with the Moleskine Classic Red Notebook, Ruled Large, but usually I use the classic black.
These are tough notebooks. The cover is particularly nice if you live in a humid place, as it's a oilskin material that doesn't mold. I once had a look-alike notebook from another company and the cover molded in 6 months. Moleskines stay nice for years.
I love the back inside pocket for holding onto tickets, coupons, business cards - you name it.
My favorite part is the elastic strap that keeps your journal closed. I love taking it off and closing it back up with a "snap". This is another feature that the imitators can't get right. Their strap gets stretched and looses elasticity. Moleskine's stay nice and tight.
Go for the best, go Moleskine.
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Tough - portable - perfect Mar 2, 2009 (5 of 5 found this helpful)
If you are an incessant journaller, as I am, then this is the journal for you. I have been using these as my "walk about" journal for years and have not yet had one fall apart on me. The attached rubber band is even perfect for storing a pen when on the go.
i originally preferred the blank pages but found writing difficult without a guide. The lined pages are a little thinner tho, so take care in the sort of ink you select for writing with.