If you have read our “Getting Started” page you’ll know that we recommend getting started with a 3 pack of Passport-Style notebooks such as Field Notes, Word., Fabriano, etc.  There’s a good reason for that.  Actually, there’s a few good reasons¹:

1. Take out the guesswork It’s all too common when starting any project to become paralyzed by options².  This “analysis paralysis” could easily become a problem with Notebooking since there are so many notebook and writing implement options out there.  This way you start with an easy-to-find option.
2. There’s 3 of them  Passport-Style notebooks usually come in 3 packs³.  This gives you 3 chances to get started and go through the write/assess cycle without having to buy anything else.  By the time you’ve gotten through all 3 you’re sure to be a Notebooking expert!
3. They’re short  Being usually anywhere from 24 – 64 pages allows you fill a notebook with relative ease.  Both lending you a sense of accomplishment and more frequent chances to assess your writing.
4. They are small  They tend to be 3″ x 5″ or very close to it.  This means that you can easily slip it into your purse or back pocket.  This allows you to carry your notebook with you.  This not only helps you build the habit of Notebooking and thinking about Notebooking but it also may help to inform your future notebook decisions like whether to carry it with you or not.
5. They’re cheap! Most 3-packs of Passport-Style notebooks clock in at around 10$.  If we recommended a 50$ notebook to start that would place a bit too much pressure on you.  Skip Starbucks twice and you’ve got enough to get a 3-pack.  No one should have to skip Starbucks more than twice, I’m not a monster⁴!
6. Good Paper  Most, if not all, Passport-Style notebooks I’ve used have had pretty decent paper.  As you probably know, I prefer pencils and ball-point pens.  I don’t, however, believe everyone should use them⁵.  Luckily, the paper quality on most of these is such that you could even use a fountain pen if you insist. ⁶

You may find that you like the form factor of a Passport-Style notebook so much that it becomes “Your” notebook.  Great!  Though, do yourself a favor and try a different style of notebook at some point.  You might be glad you did.

1. And possibly some stupid reasons but, hey, pobody’s nerfect!
2. As an example, I relatively recently began traditional wet shaving but between soaps, brushes, razors, blades and aftershaves I kinda wanted to just grow a beard!
3. Although some like Fabriano come in 4 packs!
4. Actually, I am.  You deserve better coffee than Starbucks!
5. Or do I?  Mwa ha ha!
6. My old Namiki Vanishing Point does fine on all except Rite in the Rain