Write Right With These Cool Notebooks

Maybe you’re the type who prefer keyboards to pens. No big deal–there’s a notebook that meets you in the middle. Digitizable journals, like this one from RocketBook, let you upload your notes to the cloud so you’ll never have to worry about losing your brilliant thoughts. Snap a photo of your musings, and the software will crop it before sending it to Dropbox, Slack, Google Docs, or a handful of other cloud applications. $27

One size notebook doesn’t fit all. Sometimes you're carrying a backpack, other times all you have is a pocket. This set of softcover notebooks from Pocket Department comes in four different sizes—to fit in your back pocket, shirt pocket, backpack, and messenger bag—so you’ll never have to worry about stashing your notebook under your arm. $19.95

A blank notebook is fine for wandering thoughts, but for people with more focused interests, this series of observer's notebooks from Princeton Architectural Press will do the trick. Each book comes with enough empty pages to capturing free flowing thoughts, but they also have pages, tools, and infographics tailored to specific subjects. The weather notebook (pictured), for example, has diagrams on snowflake shapes, clouds, and rainbows. Flip to the back and there’s reference infographics on global air circulation and seasonal winds. Weather's not your thing? That’s cool. There are notebooks for astronomy and trees, too. $17

This notebook's weatherproof pages were born out of necessity. When Rite In The Rain’s founder designed the first notebook nearly a century ago for his logging employees, he was trying to protect the pages from the rainy Northwest weather. Back then, he and his wife hand dipped the pages into a coating that allowed for pen and pencil. Today, it's not such a bespoke process, but the pages are still perfect for wicking off rain... or iced coffee. $24.95

Notebooks can get unruly, fast. That’s where dividers come in handy. Add a few to organize a notebook and suddenly your brain follows suit. This journal from London stationary shop Present and Correct does the hard work for you. Built-in dividers split the notebook into a rainbow of pastel sections, which makes getting (and staying) organized fun. Or at least really pretty. $21.50

The most annoying thing about writing in a notebook is the pen. Where do you put it? If you’re carrying this 144-page notebook from MoMA, you have five options. Each book has a rainbow of elastic bands that wrap around the pages. It’s perfect for stashing pens, business cards, or other errant bits and pieces that you collect throughout the day. $15.95

It’s a classic for a reason. The composition notebook has been around for more than a century thanks to its cheap price, reliable build, and iconic cover pattern. The cloth-bound spine can wear down over time, and the paper is adequate, not exceptional. But its very mediocrity is exactly why it’s a perfect tool for throwing in a backpack and taking to econ. It’s not like you’re keeping those notes anyway. $5.50