Moleskine Notebooks: The Ultimate Guide
written by Nick Cernis on April 2nd, 2008
Moleskine madness
There is a growing affliction amongst paper lovers: an addiction to the Moleskine brand of notebooks.
When I gave up on ta-da list and abandoned my PDA, my Moleskine filled the gap. This post is proof that a simple, quality notebook can give you just as much of a buzz as owning the latest iPhone, Palm, Blackberry or other device.
It will also introduce the Moleskale, a light-hearted tool for determining how high up the ladder your addiction to Moleskine has taken you.
Goodbye gadgets
After years spent tracking the latest gadget trends, handing over my credit card for a PDA upgrade every 4-6 months, and receiving odd glances in public for reading The Gawkish Geek’s Guide to Gadgets (monthly), I gave up my fancy gizmos and electronic organisers for good.
Hello Moleskine
In recognition of the intense effort it takes for a self-confessed gadget geek to drop his ‘habit’, I hope you won’t mind when I admit to replacing it with another: the love of Moleskine notebooks. These simple notebooks are both beautiful and relatively gentle on the wallet.
The Moleskine brand
So what’s the big deal about these little books?
The Moleskine brand offers a range of high-quality, expertly-bound books in a smooth fake leather cover dubbed “Moleskine.” The Italian brand was purchased in 2006 for 60 million Euros by French giant Societe Generale. The notebooks are a wonderful example of understated features and attention to detail combining to create something rather special. Rounded corners, an elastic strap, a hidden pocket at the back, and a bound-in fabric bookmark all add to the experience.
The crowning touch is the printing of “In case of loss, please return to…” on the first page of every book, a feature normally reserved for diaries, which reinforces the notion that Moleskine notebooks are objects to be treasured. The idea was suggested by author Bruce Chatwin, who was so fond of travelling with the notebooks that he ordered one hundred of them. Chatwin famously said:
“To lose a passport was the least of one’s worries. To lose a notebook was a catastrophe.”
The two most popular sizes are pocket (9×14cm) and ‘large’ (13×21cm).
Notebook varieties
Here are the common notebook varieties. (Not shown here: watercolour, storyboard, music and info types.)
The Moleskine diaries
In addition to the notebooks range, Moleskine offer a selection of diaries too:
Other Moleskine miscellany
There are a wide range of relatively recent additions to the Moleskine range. These include cahier, city guides, soft cover, and volant (coloured) editions. 
The cost (and value)
So how much does the ultimate notebook cost? At the time of writing, a large notebook will rob your purse of about £11 (or around $16 in the USA and €15 in Europe). For something that probably has a similar lifetime to a PDA, it’s not bad value.
Are they worth the premium price when compared to cheaper notebooks? That’s up to you. For me, there’s no contest. Moleskine notebooks are a simple pleasure. They’re significantly cheaper than their electronic cousins too. Plus, they never crash or run out of juice, so they’re far easier to fall in love with.
Which should you buy?
It depends! I suggest you try the following two:
My recommendations
1) The “large” lined notebook (hard cover): Great for your notes and todoodlists. At just 13×21cm, it’s very portable — “medium” would probably be a more fitting name for its size (just under A5 in ISO paper size equivalent). Many people prefer the unlined edition. Try both.
2) The 12 month weekly diary: The same size as your large lined notebook, you can carry these two around or slip them in a backpack with no trouble. Some prefer the combined 12 month diary planner with built-in notebook, but I like the extra space the weekly diary offers.
Recommended pens and pencils
Once you get into posh notebooks, you’ll find yourself drifting towards fancy writing implements too. It’s easy to go crazy here and spend silly sums of money. Don’t. If you must splash out on something as mundane as a pen or pencil, set a low budget and stick to it.
If you find yourself paying for a pencil on a credit card, you know you’ve truly lost the plot. Likewise, you don’t need an executive power pen to enjoy writing. You might like the idea of signing your cheques with the $600 “Compensator” you’ve seen in the jeweller’s window, but your family won’t be so impressed when you tell them it’s rat-on-toast for dinner again tonight.
Here are three cheap-to-mid-range items I use and recommend:
The Pilot G2 Pen
This simple low-cost pen is a joy to write with. Precise and comfortable, it’s one of the best high quality pens you’ll find for the money. Oh, and it’s refillable too. (Approx £2/$3 for the pen. Refills vary.)
The Parker Jotter Ballpoint
(with Gel ink)
This deliciously understated design from Parker is my daily workhorse. I use and recommend Parker’s gel-based ink for a wonderfully smooth writing experience. (Approx £9/$15)
Faber-Castell’s Perfect Pencil (UFO style)
For £24 (or about $45 in the USA) you can buy the best pencil you’ll ever use. The cap features a built-in pencil sharpener and a clip that allows you to carry the thing without spearing yourself. They come in black too, just in case you’re a graphic designer or something. (N.B. You only need buy the cap once. The pencil ‘refills’ are much cheaper!)
Do you really need this stuff?
No you don’t. Quite frankly it’s all just a wonderful luxury. You can spend a tenth of the money and still have a notebook and pencil that are perfectly functional. And, in the words of Hamlet, there’s the rub.
When you spend a lot of time writing, you don’t just want functional. You want beautiful. You need a writing experience. You seek a connection with the page that enhances the writing process; a combination of notebook and pen(cil) that encourages you to think of writing as a pleasure, not a mundane chore.
If you think this is a little over-the-top — that falling for an inanimate notebook is simply too intense — you probably need to buy one to understand. But be warned: once you do, there’s no turning back.
Introducing the Moleskale: ranking your addiction since 2008
There is a definite variation in the level of ‘commitment’ (read: insanity) from the Moleskine enthusiasts scattered across the globe. This simple chart that I’ve dubbed the Moleskale attempts to categorise them.
As well as showing you which level you fall into, I hope it will reassure you that you’re not alone! Let’s quickly break down those levels in detail.
Level 1: Wanting one
The first level consists of all the poor souls who’ve been convinced by friends, relatives, and strangers that they need to own one of the cursed things. For some of you, I suspect that reading this article has placed you firmly on this level. (For the record: I’m not sorry at all. The more people who like these things, the less insane I’ll seem. Welcome aboard the crazy bus! Destination: Moleville)
Level 2: Buying your first one
When you find a shop that sells them (see the resources section below), and strike up the courage to break one of your larger notes by buying one, you’ve climbed onto level 2. Congratulations! It gets easier from here on, I promise.
Level 3: Carrying it everywhere
When you’ve dared yourself to taint your prized possession by marking that first page, you’ll either discard it and wonder what the big deal was, or you’ll discover it’s something you want to carry with you everywhere. Like your keys and wallet, it will start to become one of the things you check for as you pack your bags and leave the house. You should probably stop at this level. Unfortunately, many people don’t.
Level 4: Visual customisation
If you’ve had your Moleskine notebook debossed (or done it yourself, like my todoodlist notebook below) you fall into level 4.
You can also have it done professionally. The results lack the ‘handmade charm’ you get when tattooing your own book with an embossing pen, but some may prefer the precision that pro debossing offers:
[Image sources: Apple Moleskine | WordPress Moleskine]
Finally, if you purchase a notebook that’s been customised by an artist or illustrator (like the one below), you’ve also reached level 4 in your addiction.
[Pictured: The Train by Modofly]
Level 5: Functional customisation (Moleskine ‘hacks’)
Now we’re starting to get serious. If you’ve reached level 5, you’ve got it bad. Congratulations: you’re a fully-fledged Mole person.
Moleskine ‘hacks’ consist of adapting your notebook to add additional functionality, such as a pen holder. Quite why you’d want to waste your time doing this baffles me (level 4 was bad enough), but it’s an important part of diagnosing the condition, which is why it’s on the Moleskale.
For documented evidence, check out the videos on the instructables website.
Level 6: Moleskine covers and cases
At this point, you might as well just give up and buy a PDA. That said, I equally admire and feel sorry for anyone who wishes to protect their notebook further than is necessary by enclosing it in a dedicated case.
In all honesty, some of them are quite fun. Who knows how I’ve managed to resist so far?
[From a range by Erin Leigh. Visit her shop at Etsy.]
Level 7: Moleskine collecting
The penultimate stage is characterised by a desire to seek, pursue, and make silly offers on limited edition Moleskine items.
One of the most sought-after right now is the Moleskinerie limited edition notebook from their first annual exhibit in January 2008.
Level 8: Writing “the ultimate guide” to Moleskine
I confess: I’m stark-raving bonkers. While I’ve not ‘hacked’ my Moleskine notebooks, bought a dedicated Moleskine cover, or actively sought to purchase limited edition notebooks, I fully admit that writing a guide about Moleskine should see me skip a few levels and put me on a wacky one of my own.
Lock me up and throw away the key if you must; just leave me a notebook to write on before you do!
Is there a cure?
No.
Seriously?
Sorry! The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Once you’ve been bitten by The Mole, there’s no turning back.
Resources and links
This post was not sponsored. All links and recommendations, including the ones that follow, are my own. Please use your own judgement when purchasing — I’ve not bought items from all of the sources below.
If you’d like to feature your link here, or know something I’ve missed, email me at nickcernis@gmail.com
If you enjoyed this feature, please digg it. Thanks!
Official Moleskine links
Moleskine city guides and blogs
Detour – Moleskine exhibitions and interviews
UK Moleskine suppliers
Moleskine UK [Good prices. Free UK shipping.]
Mojo London [Free UK shipping. Also ship internationally.]
The Journal Shop [3 for 2 offers on notebooks and international shipping]
US Moleskine suppliers
Worldwide list of Moleskine suppliers
Moleskine distributors worldwide
Fan sites, articles and other resources
Moleskine illustrations, covers, cases and more on Etsy
Moleskinerie [essential viewing!]
Moleskine hacks from Dave Terry.
Moleskine hacks from Organize IT
Moleskine hack from Wess Daniels
The International Moleskine Exchange
The Perfect Pencil
Perfect Pencil in Brown [UK & international]
Perfect Pencil in Black [UK & international]
A range of Perfect Pencils from The Journal Shop [International]
Todoodlist: The eBook on Simple Paper Productivity
written by Nick Cernis on March 28th, 2008
Todoodlist is here!
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Todoodlist, the practical no-nonsense guide to help you embrace simplicity, rid your life of complexity, and discover fun new ways to be productive with paper.
Check out the minisite at todoodlist.com, or get stuck in straight away: buy it now for an instant download.
Please digg it, tell your friends and spread the word!
What’s in the book?
The full contents are split across 3 handy sections for quick reference:
Part 1) 7 punchy, light-hearted essays exploring our complex lives that tackle the question: “why’s everything so complex, anyway?” Includes Zen Kitten in a Box and Parrots in Space.
Part 2) 5 fun, unmissable, paper-based systems that will change the way you look at pen and paper forever and help you simplify your life. (Don’t miss the story of how I ended up swapping my PDA for a banana!) Features the Todoodlist – a fun way to get things done on paper, and the Sudoku Calendar – another of the deliciously low-tech ideas I use every day.
Part 3) The 5-step guide to reduce complexity in your life. Practical advice to help you live simply that you can put into practice and get results with today. Part 3 also includes the blueprint for launch, a beautifully simple, one-page printable list of questions to help you launch new projects faster and turn your pipe dreams into reality.
Money-back guarantee
I’ve poured my heart and soul into this book. I hope it will change your life for the better and encourage you to fall in love with paper and simple methods again.
In the unlikely event that you haven’t enjoyed Todoodlist within 30 days of purchase, I’ll give you your money back. No quibbles. No guilt-trips. Just a refund in full.
Become an affiliate: help me spread the word!
I’d be thrilled if you could help me make Todoodlist a massive success. If you’d like to become an affiliate, I’m offering a generous 50% cut of the cover price. That’s an impressive $7.00 per sale! All you need to get paid is a PayPal account.
What you can do to help:
1) Visit todoodlist.com and digg or stumble it.
2) Send your friends a link to this page to tell them all about it.
3) Sign up to become a Todoodlist affiliate and write a great review on your website using your special affiliate link — you’ll then make 50% on all sales, paid once a month to your PayPal account.
Todoodlist Banners
To help you promote Todoodlist, I’ve created some handy banners that you can download here [zip]. Need a different size? Just email me. I’ll be happy to help.
Productivity is Dead! Long Live Living!
written by Nick Cernis on February 25th, 2008
The ‘productivity’ craze is out of control
Ironic, isn’t it? The laid-back productivity blog blowing the whistle on the whole ‘productivity industry’.
Make no mistake about it — productivity really has become a global industry supporting the livelihoods of thousands.
But right now, its runaway success is starting to become its biggest problem.
Our obsession with ‘productivity’ is getting in the way of our lives.
I think we all need to look at how much time and energy we’re wasting on our quest to become super-productive beings, and remind ourselves instead that simple is often best. Perhaps it’s time to stop all the beeps for a while.
Stop all the beeps
Stop all the beeps, turn off your mobile phone,
Prevent the PDAs chirping with a message from home,
Close up your Moleskine and rest a tired thumb
Turn a new page no more; your to-do list is done.Let Twitterers twitter from under their beds
Typing out the message Productivity is Dead.
Close all open windows with the icons above,
The hour has now come to find your real love.Spend more time with your family, music or art.
Your working week needn’t play a big part.
Those ‘productivity secrets’ were here all along;
Thought GTD was the answer? Perhaps you’re wrong.Those apps are not needed: uninstall every one;
Pack up your computer, rediscover the sun;
Silence your iPod, take a walk in green woods.
For wasting a life never came to any good.by Nick Cernis (with credit to W.H Auden)
Stopping all the beeps: my approach to productivity
At the end of 2007, I stopped almost all the beeps in my life. I sold the PDA that had been bipping away at me, dutifully organising my days. Instead, I picked up a pencil and paper. So far, 2008 has been my most productive year ever.
I went further too. I’ve given up on GTD and trying to bend my life to fit a complex blueprint. I stopped actively seeking online offerings titled 13 Even More Productive Ways to Wash Your Socks That Will Blow Your Mind.
I realised far too late that the productivity industry has become a techno-spiritualist movement. People are now using productivity ’systems’, software and small beeping devices just because almost everybody else is.
Productivity — an industry or a religion?
In October 2007 Wired magazine interviewed David Allen. They drew similarities between the productivity craze and religion, dubbing it a “cult of hyperefficiency”. It’s a fun concept to explore, and I think I can offer a better name for all the productivity fanatics out there — read on!
Exploring the church of productivity
Its archbishop? David Allen, the revered productivity guru.
Its bible? Getting Things Done and the various-spin off books and websites.
Its deity? The super-productive being that all followers aspire to become.
Its churches? The homes, offices, websites, forums and chat rooms around the world now littered with all manner of religious artefacts: the PDAs, mobile phones, scribbled lists and other productivity software and systems.
What about the name of its followers?
The Productivians cometh
So where did all these Productivians spring up from? Are you one of them? Is productivity really a religion? Are there really 13 ways to wash your socks? Is the formation of the productivity industry simply a combination of clever marketing, social engineering and good business sense stirred up from behind the desks of a few cunning entrepreneurs?
In reality, none of the answers matter too much. After all, for many Productivians, the movement has helped them realise their dreams. And for those Productivians who’ve turned their back on conventional religion, best-selling books like Getting Things Done, productivity sites such as 43 Folders and Lifehacker, and lifestyle sites such as Zen Habits are now the only rulebook for living they have.
Productivity — a rulebook for living
That’s what it boils down to, isn’t it? Productivity tips and habits are a manual — they’re an attempt to answer the question, “how should I lead my life?” That ‘answer’ is now spiralling out of control into a complex algorithm of habits, software, tips, tricks and a long list of reading material.
I’d like to suggest that the real answer is much simpler:
To be truly productive, just pick up a pencil and get on with it.
Introducing ‘Origami Productivity’ and Todoodlist
On 5 February 2008 Skellie wrote an excellent article on Anywired in which she coined the wonderful phrase “Origami Productivity”, a term describing the joy of using simple paper-based lists to organise your life.
When I read the article, my heart lept. When I scanned over the comments, my pulse rate doubled again — here was evidence that I was not alone! It was great news, mainly because no-one likes being lonely but also because, at the time, I was halfway through writing a book.
That book is called Todoodlist and it’s out now. As well as a reminder of low-tech solutions to everyday problems (like the doodled paper to-do list that the book takes its name from) it’s also a fun look at how complexity rules our lives.
Productivians vs Todoodlists
So while productivity itself isn’t really dead, I think we need to make it clear that there are some simpler ways to get things done that focus on living our lives rather than tinkering with them. There seem to be two armies occupying Productivity Valley.
On one side sit the Productivians — the analysers, elaborate thinkers, blueprint makers, ’system’ creators, technorati and lovers of all things complex. On the other side lie the Todoodlists — the ones who’ve decided that all they need to organise their life is a pencil and some doodles on a piece of paper.
Which one are you? Add your comments below!
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