38 Comments

Love this idea Jillian - I will post at least a couple of my favorites. Would love to hear your thoughts on e-ink notebooks though. I will never give up my analog, old-school notebooks but am thinking about supplementing with a Supernote tablet. I’m sure you have an opinion about these devices 😬

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As a general rule, I think that anything that helps you take notes is a great idea. I bought an e-ink notebook a few years ago because I wanted to annotate academic books that I could get in PDF form from my library. I also use it to write morning pages, because it feels somehow less permanent than real paper. Still, as you say, there's really no substitute for old-school paper notebooks!

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I use my Kindle Scribe for stream of conscious observations and feelings and quick sketches. At the end of each month I print the pages out and three whole punch them and add to a three ring binder that also includes print outs of favorite photos Ive taken and prints of art Im drawing/painting. I also keep an art journal, as well as a notebook with quotes, ephemera from walks, excursions. It’s all enmeshed - these forms. I will start with your Jan CBC with a moss green faux leather notebook with gold edged pages reserved exclusively for quotes. Looking forward to it Jillian.

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That's such an interesting system, Pam. I'm always tempted to print out my e-paper notes. Can't wait to see your notebook and quotes, Pam!

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Jillian, printing out my scribe notes help me be able to re-read them like I had written them in a physical notebook. My version of Julia Cameron's "Morning Pages." The Kindle Scribe can also turn my handwriting into text, so I have a condensed text version of the pages. I also like being able to insert other media into my notebook. print-outs of my photos, drawings, paintings, recipes, quotes, memories. It's my "Annual Aggregator!" LOL I have photos of the binder, layout and sample pages, if you wish to see. pam

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Jillian, this is what will motivate me. I need to feel the sense of renewed identity and belonging through my commonplace book , I will start with you all n the 31st. Thank you. Merry Christmas

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I've found commonplacing to be particularly useful for both of those goals! Looking forward to doing it together, Shanti!

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Wow what a cool idea! I'm always trying to highlight quotes from books (including my favourite poetry) but I never have a good system. I might have to use one of the little notebooks I made for my newsletter theme on notebooks (https://seektomake.substack.com/t/notebooks) to start a Commonplace book and join the club! Thank you.

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Ah, you make your own notebooks too?! They're the best, aren't they? I hope you'll join and share pictures of your notebooks with us.

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I will definitely try! We have the summer school holidays at the moment though so it feels a little harder to fit in the personal projects.

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I get it! Just do whatever feels manageable/fun/useful to you.

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This all sounds very exciting. How does it work?

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I'll send more detailed instructions on the 31st. For now, you can join the chat and see how others have added quotes to our warm-up round. https://substack.com/chat/1032351

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SOOOO excited to get back into the swing of it, Jillian. Have a magical festive season. See you on the 31st 💛✍️💛

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I'm very excited too--and very happy you'll be joining us again!💛

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A magical idea from someone who brings magic to notes, taking making and keeping. Happy New Year Jillian

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Awe, thank you, Tim! From the bottom of my heart.💛

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Wait a minute. I've kept what I call, "Quote Books" for decades. I never knew these were actually called "Commonplace Books." I highlight my favorite quotes in books and then transcribe them into my quote books. Is that what you are talking about here?

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Exactly that!

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Ooh, this sounds wonderful. I'm in! I can't wait. Thanks so much :))

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Excited, have not kept a common place note book before even though I read a lot and scrawl notes everywhere (including my phone). Looking forward to January!

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I'm excited too!

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So looking forward to this!

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I'm so glad you'll be joining, Caroline! And, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your notes! 💛

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Oh my! I really need to read your book.. it sounds so interesting. I have only recently joined Substack, it’s full of wonderful things 🤩

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So glad to have you here, Alison!

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Need to reset my journaling, writing, etc. after a rough 2024. Looking forward to joining the fun.

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Wonderful, Ron! So glad you'll be joining.

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“Pain and suffering are inevitable: "Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth"

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

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Oh, Dostoevsky! He's got quotes that cut right to my heart.

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Can we have a Latin Commonplace Club? 🎄

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Love this idea! I’d love to see your Latin quotes too!

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Can’t wait!! Was thinking about this a couple of days ago!

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So happy you’ll be joining us again, Zeralda!

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Totally love this idea! Looking forward to start a commonplace notebook. I do have planner and an art journal this will complement the other two.

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So glad you’ll join us, Norma!

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I have been collecting quotes since I was a kid. In fact my initiation into taking notes was these quotes I loved collecting. In fact, a quote from my first notebook inspired my first published children's book Paani Party. Thanks to this post I now know that this is a category term as a Commonplace Book. Here's to more note taking and quote collecting!

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