Nice little pocket notebooks for a good price
For some time I’ve been a major fan of Moleskines, those cute little European notebooks (made in China) that are purportedly the spawn of small, oilcloth-covered pocket notebooks as carried by Hemingway and the
rest of the Paris expats. I was not, however, a fan of the price: $13.99 for the pocket size, and $16.99 for the larger journal size (last time I checked).
I say the last time, because I found a replacement. Target and several other chains including Staples carry little books that look for all the world exactly like Moleskines: elastic closure, ribbon marker, same paper and stitching, as far as I can tell, and even the little pocket in the back, except that they’re covered in a nice grade of split leather. They come in the standard black, and also in a pleasant cordovan shade, my personal favorite, as shown in the photo. The one shown has been my constant companion for a couple or three months, living in my hip pocket with only expected wear and a nice patina of use beginning to develop.
The price? $7.69 for the pocket size, and $9.69 for the journal.
If you’re not a vegan or something, these might be for you. They don’t seem to have the variety of line styles that the name brand has, at least not carried at Targét, but the price is right. They make nice little gifts, too, as they look far more expensive than they are. Check out the office supply near you.
Correction: in looking over the Moleskineus.com website, I see that they have online prices substantially below those I have been paying at B&N. However, the ones described above are still less expensive, albeit perhaps slightly less durable. Jury’s still out.
Man, I must be cheap, you should see what I have been using!
hahahahaha
DS
Those who write for posteriority need notebooks that will survive hip pockets.