There are many kinds of journals, from leather bound to transparent covering, from spiraled to highly decorated, they come in a myriad of options. And, now that you have perused the buying guide, we hope you’ll feel better informed and choose the right journal for the job. For information on the various journals available, please join us as we go through the individual product reviews.
Here’s an interesting story of a young amnesiac patient who depended on her journal to help with her memory loss.
Picture this: a snowy Cincinnati day in December of 2016. Young Addie drove home to see her parents who she hadn’t seen in a while. She missed her small hometown, her adorable dog Buffy, and best friend, Tracy. Addie has a lot on her mind, schoolwork, juggling class lectures, her part time job, and ultimately didn’t pay attention to her driving. The music was blasting and the car going too fast, and before she knew it she hit black ice and her car swerved out of control. In the end, Addie suffered a serious car crash which resulted in amnesia.
There’s a happy ending here, and believe it or not it does involve her journal. Addie felt that she wouldn’t have regained her memory if she hadn’t always written in her journal, documenting every single detail of her life after the crash. The point of this story? It’s that a well-kept journal can be a real life saver.
Every artist knows how vital it is to connect with that perfect journal for writing or sketching. That pristine looking smooth paper always seems to allow the creative spirit such free-reign. New journals are exciting; a place to start a sketch with a freshly sharpened pencil that you keep alongside your
electric pencil sharpener or a book you carry over to your garden
hammock chair to lazily scribble in. Journals have this unidentifiable magic quality to them, putting you in the happiest of moods with the simple sound of pencil scratching on paper.
To better delight in your writing experience and organize your notes, you may want a flexible, lightweight journal that is compact with a strong elastic closure. To prevent pages from becoming dog-eared, you may want to consider a round edged journal. Travelling writers, there’s just some things you don’t ever want to forget, like your iPod packed with favorite inspiring hits, your
smart stylus pen, and, most importantly, your travel journal.
If you’re the type of individual who hears heavenly angelic voices sing down from above at the mere presence of a newly purchased blank writing book, then you need to get yourself a journal. Do yourself a favor, keep reading this guide!
Price
The price range we have for a good journal is between $7 and $25. These prices aren’t too far apart, so this helps for a quicker decision. Journals come in different qualities, colors, and sizes, so there’s plenty things to consider. For example, when it comes to pricing, lightweight compact journals and heavier leather-bound journals are in different pricing categories.
The appearance of a journal speaks volumes about a person. Ladies generally prefer beautifully carved flowers or intricate etchings on their journal, while some men favor classic leather-bound versions. Whichever type you want to go for, you must resist the temptation to buy a cheap journal. They are usually not worth the money you spend buying them.
Features
Do you just love to give words to your thoughts, feelings and ideas? Do you want to always remember that most cherished memory of when you went mountain climbing, or even skydiving! Or do you simply want to relish the memory of when your childhood crush eventually told you he liked you too? Sounds like a journal is just what you need!
Here are some features that would help you in your search for that special journal:
- Quality of the Paper
- Weight
- Size
- Design
- Color
- Binding
- Cover
If you still feel in the dark about what to choose, take a look at the different options you can choose from below.
Construction and Design
There’s an uplifting feeling associated with writing and sketching, as opposed to writing electronically; and it’s one that cannot be replicated. Doesn’t it feel good to sit in a recliner, relaxed and serene, with just you, your journal, and your thoughts? That kind of solitude and ephemeral bliss cannot be explained. Imagine going on long trips, excited by opportunity to write about every natural and unnatural thing you see. Well, this can only be possible with a journal that boasts of high quality paper. Before purchasing one, you should look out for the kind of paper it was produced with as some will bleed with certain pens, such as fountain pens. You should also consider the smoothness of the paper; a smooth paper makes for comfortable and easy writing. The paper should also be acid-free, that is, at a neutral pH level which gives you an idea of how long your journal will last. Acid-free journal paper usually lasts for more than 100 years.
The weight of the journal is another issue as you will want a compact model if you intend to carry it around with you. Journals are available in different sizes, and you will want to select one depending on its purpose. A sketch journal would not be the same size as a personal journal since they’re usually thinner and longer than a writing book. This allows for ample sketching room; the perfect surface area for every stroke and curve of your drawing. Although a personal journal could also be long, most people prefer a smaller private looking journal.
A beautiful cover design makes for a beautiful journal. A journal is a representation of your personality, and because journals are available in different designs, you should choose one that best suits you. Whether it’s an abstract design or a photo image, let your creativity run wild when choosing your favorite journal design. Perhaps, you’ll want to display a preferred symbol or color that best describes what you want to write about in the journal. A journal with a flat surface is more comfortable than those with a curved or slightly bent surface, and would come in handy when you travel. You can just put it on your lap or on a flat surface to write. Also, a favorite journal type among travelers are those with spiral or flexi binding.
Journals enthusiasts understand that these items are ageless possessions; so, the durability of your journal is absolutely essential. There are some memories that are so very precious, experiences kept near to our hearts that we want to share with our children, right down to our great grandchildren. Therefore, the durability of a journal cannot be overlooked. Your journal should be covered in long lasting durable fabrics, a very strong elastic closure for safekeeping and handcrafted papers.
Performance and Ease of Use
Thoughts and ideas just flow when there’s a pen and paper involved. Imagine going to the market without your to-do list properly written down. That’s a recipe for over spending! Now, imagine going for an exam without the proper notes to read and revise. That’s definitely not a situation you want to find yourself in. These reasons and more are exactly why you need a journal, but not just any journal, an easy to use, stress-free, and beautifully crafted journal. And there are so many out there to choose, from leather-bound to solid colored, from highly decorated to plain and simple.
Your journal needs to be handled with care, not just because of the personal information frequently written in it, but also because it lasts longer when handled carefully. After writing, cautiously put it back in your bag or purse as you do not want to damage your precious journal. The sturdy and flexible cover of a journal allows you to fit it into your back pocket on the go while the rounded edges prevent them from becoming dog-eared. The journals we have reviewed are durable and convenient to use, the lines on the papers allow for easy note taking, and the thickness of the paper prevents the ink from bleeding.
You should also look out for journals that are stitched with high-quality thread as this means they will not easily fall apart. Lastly, confirm that the cover of the journal is water-resistant; this will be the only way to preserve those memories in the event you are caught in the rain.
Now that you’ve come to the end of this review we’re sure that you’ve gleaned all the information you’ll need to select your ideal writing journal. Are you ready to get out your favorite pen and get started? Great! Go right ahead and place your order.
