10 Best Journals for Writers, According to Our Staff
When it comes to the best journals for writers (we're talking paper journals, not literary journals), we've done our fair share of testing over the years. From handmade artisanal notebooks to leather-bound journals to spiral notebooks, there are lots of different types of journal options out there to meet lots of different needs.
So what's our favorite writer's notebook? It depends on what we're using it for...
1) Leuchtturm1917 120G Edition: Best Overall
The Leuchtturm1917 120G Edition is the ideal journal for writers who want sturdy pages and useful organization in one hardcover notebook.
Its contents and numbered pages can help you easily find a character sketch or an unfinished scene after weeks of writing. The thread-bound construction opens flat, giving your hand a comfortable surface near the spine.
The heavier 120 GSM paper gives this edition a substantial feel and helps reduce distracting show-through. (Keep in mind, though, ink performance still partially depends on your pen! Here are some of the best pens for journaling.)
This is one of the best notebooks for a main writing journal, especially if you refer back to earlier entries frequently. We also love it as a travel journal, since it's sturdy enough to paste in photos and souvenirs.
2) Midori MD Notebook A5: Best for Distraction-Free Writing
For a quiet, uncluttered writing experience, our pick is the Midori MD Notebook A5.
The cream-colored paper has a gentle texture that gives your pen some grip. Its thread binding opens flat, and the restrained design keeps the page itself at the center of the experience.
While we prefer the utility of grid ruling, you'll want to choose the ruling that best supports your writing journey. Lines are great for continuous prose, while grids offer one of the best tools for mixed use.
The light cover keeps the notebook flexible, though a separate protective cover is useful if you carry it loose in a crowded bag.
We suggest this option for writers who want to open a notebook and start drafting with very little setup, perfect for a prompt journal, gratitude journal, or personal diary.
3) Rhodia A5 Webnotebook: Best for Fountain Pen Users
If you're a fountain pen user, you know the very real struggle of finding the perfect journal to handle your ink. The Rhodia A5 Webnotebook earns our fountain-pen recommendation for its smooth, ink-friendly paper and protective hardcover.
Its ivory Clairefontaine paper gives the nib an easy glide and handles fountain pen ink well. The elastic closure and rear pocket also make it practical for carrying loose notes alongside a draft.
Of course, drying time still deserves attention. With a wet nib or slow-drying ink, you'll want to give the page time before closing the book or moving your hand across fresh lines.
This is the perfect journal for deliberate handwriting sessions, especially if rougher paper makes your favorite nib feel scratchy.
4) Stalogy 365Days Notebook A5: Best for Long Writing Projects
Long drafts will benefit from the Stalogy 365Days Notebook A5’s combination of thin paper and generous writing space.
We like its faint grid for keeping prose aligned without making the page feel crowded. Small calendar markings let you record dates while leaving most of the sheet available for writing.
The lightweight pages keep a substantial manuscript notebook manageable. (But they also allow writing on the reverse to remain visible, which is worth considering if show-through distracts you.)
A fine ballpoint pen or pencil will work best with this writer's notebook. You'll want to test wetter pens at the back before committing to a long project, particularly if you plan to use both sides of every sheet.
We love this notebook for writing short stories, morning pages, and brain dumps.
5) Clairefontaine Age Bag A5 Clothbound Notebook: Best for Smooth Paper
Our smooth-paper choice is the Clairefontaine Age Bag A5 Clothbound Notebook, particularly for writers who enjoy a pen that moves easily across the page.
The smooth white paper gives handwriting a crisp appearance and works well with many fountain pens. Its sewn binding supports writing across an open spread, while the understated cover suits a working draft.
That slick surface has a distinct feel. Writers who press hard or prefer noticeable pencil feedback might find a toothier paper more comfortable.
We recommend checking the ruling before ordering, since Age Bag notebooks come in different formats. For sustained prose, you'll want to choose the line spacing that matches your normal handwriting.
The smooth paper makes this one of the best notebooks to support your personal journal and other types of journals that require daily use.
6) Dingbats Wildlife A5 Notebook: Best for Organizing Writing Ideas
We suggest the Dingbats Wildlife A5 Notebook for writers who want space to build their own idea-organizing system as part of their creative process.
Its roomy pages suit branching plot notes and character relationships. The hardcover, elastic closure, and built-in pen holder also make it a practical notebook to carry between writing sessions.
Choose a dotted or grid version if you want to draw boxes and divide pages into sections. You'll want to reserve several opening pages for a handwritten index, then number pages as you fill them.
As we're sure you've already picked up, this is an ideal journal to serve as a short story writer's notebook.
7) Traveler’s Company Traveler’s Notebook Regular Size: Best Refillable Journal
For a journal that changes with your projects, we recommend the Traveler’s Company Traveler’s Notebook, Regular Size.
The leather cover holds replaceable paper inserts with an elastic system. You can keep a draft in one insert and research notes in another, then archive a finished insert while continuing to use the cover.
Its tall, narrow pages suit short entries and portable drafting. Writers who use wide handwriting or sprawling diagrams will want to consider whether that page shape gives them enough room.
We suggest starting with a simple insert setup. Adding several inserts increases bulk around the spine and makes the writing surface less even, particularly near the beginning or end of an insert.
If you want to splurge on a refillable journal that could last you for decades, this is definitely a top contender!
8) Peter Pauper Press Essentials Journal: Best Budget Pick
The Peter Pauper Press Essentials Journal is our budget-minded choice for a straightforward hardcover writer's notebook.
Its practical appeal comes from familiar features: an elastic closure, a ribbon marker, and a rear pocket. The large format gives prose room to breathe, making it useful for daily use or exploratory drafts.
We would put this on the shortlist if you fill notebooks quickly and want a sturdy place for working pages. We've used this one as a dream journal, gratitude journal, and to-do list, and have been pleased with the overall experience.
9) Paperblanks Old Leather Foiled Midi Hardcover Journal: Best Decorative Pick
We choose the Paperblanks Old Leather Foiled Midi Hardcover Journal for writers who enjoy an ornate cover on a practical writing book. (Be serious...who doesn't love a fancy notebook?)
The antique-style decoration gives it the look of an older bound volume. (“Old Leather” just names the design collection; check the product’s stated materials if a leather cover is important to you.)
The Midi format keeps the notebook portable, and the sewn binding supports comfortable use across an open spread. Its smaller page suits the reflective entries and short passages of a personal journal.
Pay attention to the exact edition when ordering. Ruling and closure details vary across Paperblanks designs, so the cover pattern alone will not tell you whether the interior fits your routine.
10) Moleskine Classic Notebook Large Hardcover: Best for Pencil Writers
Did you think we forgot about Moleskine?! Psh!
Pencil writers get our Moleskine recommendation because graphite pairs comfortably with the Classic Notebook’s lightweight, cream-colored pages.
The narrow Large format slips neatly into a bag, while the hardcover gives you support when writing away from a desk. An elastic closure and ribbon bookmark keep the current draft easy to reach.
We prefer this journal for rough scenes and notes that invite erasing. Its paper calls for more care with wet fountain pens, where feathering or bleed-through can interfere with using both sides.
If you write heavily in pencil (Is that just us?), place a spare sheet under your hand to limit smudging and avoid pressing deep grooves into the following page.
How to Choose the Best Notebooks for Your Writing Routine
We recommend choosing for your usual pen and writing session first, and then considering cover style.
| Journal | Paper feel | Construction | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leuchtturm1917 120G | Substantial | Hardcover | Indexed drafts |
| Midori MD A5 | Light texture | Flexible cover | Focused prose |
| Rhodia Webnotebook A5 | Very smooth | Hardcover | Fountain pens |
| Stalogy 365Days A5 | Thin | Flexible cover | Long projects |
| Clairefontaine Age Bag A5 | Very smooth | Sewn binding | Fluid handwriting |
| Dingbats Wildlife A5 | Smooth | Hardcover | Idea organization |
| Traveler’s Notebook Regular | Insert-dependent | Refillable leather cover | Separate projects |
| Peter Pauper Press Essentials | Substantial | Hardcover | Everyday entries |
| Paperblanks Old Leather Midi | Smooth | Hardcover | Short passages |
| Moleskine Classic Large | Lightweight | Hardcover | Pencil drafts |
Which Paper Works Best With Your Favorite Pen?
We tend to prioritize ink behavior over paper thickness. Surface treatment affects feathering, where ink spreads along paper fibers, and opting for heavier paper alone doesn't always prevent it.
Test your daily use pen for bleed-through, drying time, and visible writing on the reverse.
Should You Choose Ruled, Dotted, Grid, or Blank Pages?
Our recommendation for continuous prose is ruled paper. Dots and grids support outlines or diagrams; blank pages give large handwriting and sketches unrestricted space.
Which Size and Binding Suit Your Writing Habits?
We favor A5 for desk-based drafting and smaller formats for frequent carrying. Check whether an open notebook stays comfortable near the spine, and whether its cover provides enough support for writing on your lap.
Is a Refillable Journal Worth the Extra Cost?
We recommend refillable covers when you tend to separate projects or archive completed inserts. Be sure to compare the cover cost plus replacement inserts with bound notebooks, and check that the refill shape suits your handwriting before investing.
And there you have it...the best journals for writers...at least according to our writing experience.
Did we miss any favorites? Be sure to share your top picks in the comments.
And whichever journal you choose...happy writing!
Disclosure: While all opinions are our own, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, at no additional cost to you.
