Volume 11, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

I decided to start the year with a new journal. The previous one was ok and in fact I still had pages left in it, but I thought it was an appropriate time to start fresh in a new book.

Like most of my journals, I bought this one at Barnes & Noble. I don’t buy journals exclusively from B&N. I mostly buy them there out of convenience. I like to spend time and effort picking out a journal in person–opening and closing them, laying them flat to test their flexibility, examining the spines and covers for durability, running my thumbs over the pages, and examining the weight of the paper. It’s almost a ritual.

When I choose a journal, I browse the available stock and ask myself, “What am I feeling like today?”

Am I feeling formal and self-indulgent (embossed leather bound)? Am I feeling whimsical (pretty pictures on cover pages)? Am I feeling modern (simple book with a design on the front)?

Yesterday I guess I was just feeling pretty. I almost bought a different book. It had a soft cover with a coated, linen texture to it. The pages were a mixture of lined, unlined, and graphed with whimsical designs on each. I ended up putting that one back solely on the thin pages. I write with a heavy black pen so I need something more heavy weight.

One of these days, I’m going to make my own journal by hand. Bookbinding is one of those hobbies I’ve always researched, but haven’t gotten into due to lack of time and the expense. Nevertheless, it’s on my list.