The Best Journals & Notebooks

Of course I have lots of notebooks. In my parents' attic there is a box crammed with my childhood and teen diaries. The number lies somewhere in the 30s, and, despite them being filled with cringey garbage about boys and how hard my life was, I sort of love how well documented my life has been. Since the internet came along (...and full time work, and an adult social life), I find it harder and harder to find the time to sit down and write, but my collection of notebooks and journals continues to grow. 

The truth is, even though it's unlikely I'll ever fill these books like I did when I was younger, the possibility is always there. It's a source of comfort, knowing I always have paper to turn to. 

My favourite notebooks range from prayer diaries, 'blog-spiration', to creative writing ideas and a journal I have kept for more than two years. 

My mum gave me this book for Christmas. I use it to write notes on sermons at church. I'm not sure where she got it from, but the pattern and colours are brilliant.

I was given this journal by a lovely family from church for my 21st Birthday. The quality of the paper is excellent and the journal itself is beautiful, even just to hold. I use it as my prayer diary and it's my favourite of the favourites. I'm sure this can be found online, but this was bought from a shop in town called Fortysix. It opened last spring and it sells all sorts of things from stationery and clothes to jewellery and interior decorations and furniture. I love it.

My 'diary' since 2012. I'm not sure how I should feel about the fact that in 2005 I could fill two or three diaries, but I haven't finished this in more than two years. Life is busy. There's less time to dwell on it, but I still manage to stuff cinema tickets from dates in the past years, reminding me of the people who made me happy and gave me memories to keep. Available to buy here. 

My mum got me this journal from Italy about two years ago. The colours are some of my favourites, and, again, the quality is impeccable. I use this book to write in when I am feeling anxious or down. I turned to this book when I felt the first pangs of depression. The pattern on the cover seems fitting to how I feel when going through a bout of depression. Strange, unrecognisable, stretched, swirly, unusual, new, unique...

Battered and stained by hot chocolate from three years spent writing in bed, this Krispy Kreme notebook was a gift from my brother-in-law which I used for all my creative writing notes throughout uni. I love krispy kreme doughnuts and this was my favourite notebook throughout uni – it is a little bit past it's best now, though.

This soft black book is from Paperchase. I got it in the sale and what I love about it is it has three sections of paper – plain, grid and lined. I knew straight away it would be used for What Naomi Wrote, and when I go out to review somewhere, I take this with me so I can make those all important notes. The bunny rabbit postcard is from Le Pain Quotidien.

And this is one of the latest additions to my collection, which has a number of fantastic quotes inside:

This book is great for when I need to rant (which is a lot of the time), and can be bought here. There are lots of 'trigger' journals out there which I love – one of which was featured on Emma's blog, Reverie Lane, yesterday, and is now on my Amazon wishlist.

Do you love journals and notebooks as much as I do? What are your recommendations? Come September I know I'll be shopping for stationery... I may have finished education but I just can't get over that back to school feeling, and new notebooks are a must. A writer can never have too many.

Being Human - New Year's Resolutions

December is a jam packed month. I love it. There is so much going on and it's always the most exciting time of year for me. There are now two days left of 2013 (what) and now that Christmas is done with, it's time to reflect on the year past and prepare for the new one coming.

Every year I buy myself a new diary and write a list of new year's resolutions in the crisp first page, but this year I have made a start in one of my old journals because I am feeling super organised. I start my new job a week tomorrow(!) and I want everything to go smoothly right from the start.

My new years resolutions are always the same: drink more water, eat more fruit and veg, do more exercise, read more, write more. This used to concern me - I shouldn't have to write these at the start of every year, should I? Surely after one year of keeping these resolutions I should be able to move on and not write them down again, year after year? But then I thought, I am never done with being fit and healthy. I am never done with reading and writing. These things mean a lot to me in my life. We always have room for improvement, and new years resolutions are important because they reaffirm that we are human beings with the drive and need inside of us to get better and achieve things, even if we never reach these goals.

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I see a lot of people on the internet going on about how New Year's resolutions are pointless. A new year shouldn't mean a new start - it's the same day as every other day. But it's not, really, is it? 1st January marks the start of a new year, and the opportunity to start afresh. As human beings we like that; we like to be given that chance, whether we see it through or not.

I remember browsing the shops last January and seeing a whole host of exercise DVDs on offer. Everyone knows after a few weeks of over indulging we try and get into a permanent routine of being fit and healthy, but it doesn't usually last. It made me laugh back then, but I'm considering getting one myself this year as I have avoided going out running for a good two months now. 

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The funny thing is, when it comes to making resolutions and keeping them, the enjoyable part is actually thinking of them and writing them down. Preparing for them. Getting that gym membership, going shopping for new trainers and a sports bra, writing this post, even. Sometimes, none of it comes to anything, but that's just human nature. Nothing changes remarkably when the clock strikes midnight on 31st December every year, but symbolically it does, and that's exciting - that is why we celebrate it every year.

January is a pretty depressing month. Thankfully, this one coming will mark the arrival of my sister's first baby and I am so excited. I hope the joy he/she brings will override the inevitable gloom that January usually brings, and I'll be even more determined to get better at reading, writing and looking after my body. What are your new year's resolutions?

Review - Collected Quotations Journal

 

Back in August, my Grandpa came to visit and one day we took a trip to Crickhowell, a town just down the road from Abergavenny. A quaint little place, the high street is dotted with independent coffee shops, clothing, jewellery and accessory stores and my favourite - 'Book-ish' - an independent book shop.

I love to go into Book-ish to get ideas for Birthday and Christmas present ideas. The range of products is fantastic. There is something for everyone, including artwork, fiction, non-fiction, stationery and childrens books, plus much more. I always see something I love that I have to put on my own wishlist. 

On this occasion, I found this beautiful hardback journal 'Collected Quotations - A Journal to Record and Remember Words of Wisdom.'*

I am a bit of a hoarder of notebooks, journals - anything I can write in. I have a box of old diaries stored up in the attic and more stuffed in a drawer under my bed. I counted them once and the grand total was 33. What I had to write about so desperately, I don't know. I dare not read back through them. I have told my family, however, that when I die they have full permission to do whatever they wish with them. Read them, give them away, burn them, whatever.

Anyway, Book-ish has the tendency to draw me in at the worst of times - when I have no spare money to spend on a new book, poster or diary. However, my Grandpa saw me eyeing up this journal and insisted he buy it for me. As soon as I got home I wrote my name in it and it has been a treasure ever since.

 

Inside is a content page of each section in which you can write down your favourite quotes. I love the size, colour and style of the font. (Font is always important).

Each 'chapter' of the journal opens with a quote from a source relevant to the topic. 

And on each page is a space where you can write your favourite quotes, the date, source and any notes you may wish to add.

Every so often you'll come across a page which has been illustrated with a famous quote:

The artwork is one of the reasons I love this journal so much. I think it is unique and interesting, unlike a lot of tacky looking journals you see on the high street.

Some pages have extra space - for example in the Speeches chapter, where more space is obviously needed.  

This is my favourite section which, as you can see I have already made a start on. I am trying to only write down significant, startling or eye-opening quotes:

I like this one purely because I love Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz:

Some of the things my family come out with should definitely be noted, for comical reasons, mostly, but as my Grandpa gave this journal to me I would like to include some of the words of wisdom he has given me over the years.

I really like the 'Other Sources' section, because you never know what you might overhear on the train or read in an article.

This would make a fantastic gift for a friend or family member as Christmas is coming up. I wanted to share it with you all because it is so beautiful and something I have been looking for for a long time. I have a feeling I'll be filling this journal with my favourite quotations for many years to come.

You can visit the Book-ish website here where a selection of their stock is available to view and purchase. Or, if you're in the area, you can visit the shop at: 23 High Street, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1BD. 

Is there anyone else who likes to hoard an unhealthy amount of journals? I find there is something very therapeutic about writing in new - and old - notebooks.

*Published by Chronicle Books, San Fransisco, 2012.