ISO: Common Book

I’m In Search Of the perfect carry along book to be my Common Book. I’ve realized I miss having something to randomly scribble in throughout the day.

Requirements:
– affordable. $22 is a bit steep. $10 may be doable if it’s perfect.
– fountain pen friendly
– narrow rule. I *think* this means 5mm but it seems that most “college” ruled are about 6mm
– preferably a light rule too. I hate those super dark lines.
– I don’t really want a red margin line
– I’ll take grid if it’s light and small. Dots are ok too.
– I’d love non-white paper
– I’m torn on the sheet count. In the past I fill these quickly, but at the same time I don’t want to schlep tons of papers around. Right now I’ll say more than 60 sheets.
– sewn or at least not easy to tear out.
– numbered pages would make me really happy. Otherwise I think I’ll buy an auto-numbering stamp.
– I’d love a place to put the date in a format I like. I found this today and it makes me smile. But I also like to put the day of the week and have it “out of the way”.
– hard back, flat (or nearly) open.
– around the size of a standard composition book. I don’t want US Letter (or A4) sized. 5×8 is on the smaller side though.
– preferably a simple cover because my plan is to make a cover for it that will help it stay closed, protected, and provide at least one pen loop. (also my request is for a “standard” size so I can keep “refilling” it)
– I would like it semi easy to get my hands on. I hate paying shipping.

I’m currently contemplating a National Brand Chemistry notebook but wish it had more pages for the cost.

Suggestions?
I have a feeling I won’t get all of my requests fulfilled but I’m curious suggestions. I have a list of some brands and books I’m going to look at today on my way to campus but I’m curious what suggestions my wonderfully eclectic readers have. Thank you!

Reader interactions

2 Replies to “ISO: Common Book”

  1. How about the old-fashioned bookkeeping journals? They looked like this

    melanies last blog post..it’s not easy being green

  2. I’m a Moleskine devotee (http://www.moleskine.com/index_eng.php). I love the cahiers for my purse, and I have a pocket sized one for writing/revision notes. They make a larger soft cover one that might suit you, too! I can’t say enough about my love for these books!

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