What is a Commonplace Book? How to Keep One
Have you ever heard the term “commonplace book”? I hadn’t until fairly recently. What is a commonplace book, anyway, and how do you use a commonplace book? The words have such an antiquated tone, don’t they?
A commonplace book is simply a place to record quotes, information, poems, paragraphs from favorite books, notes from articles, song lyrics, jokes- any kind of information that you find meaningful or helpful.
The idea of keeping a commonplace book gained popularity during the Renaissance, but the idea goes back even farther than that. Commonplace books stayed popular into the early twentieth century, and the idea continues today.
What is the Difference Between a Commonplace Book and a Journal?
You might be asking, “Isn’t this just a journal?” Well, I tend to use the term “journal” a little bit loosely (gratitude journal, prayer journal, etc.), so in a way, yes.
But, technically, a journal is more of a personal record of events or ideas. A commonplace book, on the other hand, is more like a repository of thoughts and ideas that you collect from other sources for future use or to reflect upon. (A “common place” for all of these ideas.)
You’ll often find passages from other texts in these, especially in book lovers’ commonplace books. (Writing out passages from favorite texts, in pretty handwriting, is fairly common among fountain pen enthusiasts, including me.)
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How to Start
There are a few different ways to record these tidbits and thoughts.
The most common way to keep a commonplace book is in a notebook. Any kind of notebook, really. You can divide the notebook up into categories, or you can just choose to skip the categories and create an index.
- I use this Persian Grove journal from Peter Pauper press, and I absolutely love it. It’s gorgeous, inexpensive, and the paper is acid free and friendly to many kinds of pens, even fountain pens. Amazing quality for the price.
- If you choose to use a binder as your commonplace book, you can create separate sections for different topics.
- A traveler’s notebook is useful as a commonplace book because there are separate notebook inserts within one cover, and you can use each insert for a different category.
- Another simple way to keep a commonplace book is with index cards, kept in a box. If you choose this method, you can organize the cards within the box by categories, and you can add categories as needed. (I think this one has such a nice, vintage look.)
- I’ve also seen (and I forget where I saw it online!), a pocket photo album acting as a commonplace book. How simple to write your quote, note, lyric, etc. on an index card and just slip it into a pocket. If the album has rings, you can divide the book into sections, by topic. I love this idea.
Any sturdy format is ideal because you might be accessing the information often, and you’ll want to preserve it.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Pretty (But it Certainly Can Be!)
I love calligraphy and pretty handwriting, journaling, etc. But, a commonplace book doesn’t have to be a vehicle for any of that (although it can be, if you want that.) It can just be a really useful place to keep all of these thoughts and tidbits of information in a single, easy to retrieve place.
I like to jot down quotes in my book and things I want to write in calligraphy or pretty handwriting later. Short passages from books are another favorite thing to write.
Others might include pretty quotes and passages that have been snipped from magazines, etc. Feel free to make yours as pretty or as simple as you like!
I think commonplace books are practical and fun, and I’m enjoying mine, immensely.
Linking to:
Lou Lou Girls, Keeping it Real, Fluster Buster, Life as a Leo Wife, Happiness is Homemade, Creatively Crafty, Country Road 407, Shabby Art Boutique, Home Matters, The Answer is Chocolate, The Cottage Market, Building Our Hive, Creative Jewish Mom, Sew Can Do, My Random Musings, Mostly Blogging, Wonderful Wednesday, Wednesdays in the Studio, Whimsy Home Wednesday, Creatively Crafty, Thursday Favorite Things, Esme Salon, A Pinch of Joy, Keeping it Real, Sum of Their Stories, Random-osity, Life and Linda, Tuesday Turn About
I love this post! Spending a few minutes reading my commonplace book is, for me, as refreshing as a wandering conversation with a good friend. Mine is getting full, and I haven’t been able to decide whether to stay with a bound journal or move to a box. I have the box–and old sewing drawer–but I can’t decide whether to go that way or not. Visiting from The Happy Now.
Thank you for the lovely comment, Natalie! I love how you described spending time in your commonplace book – I completely agree!
I love this idea!
Thanks, Donna! It’s one of my favorite ways to “journal.”
How pretty, love it, the pen too! I have a book that I keep sayings or word pronunciations in from my grandbabies. It’s so fun to go back and read it from time to time. By the way, I found your post at a party and wanted to let you know that I host parties too. Drop by and linkup with me 🙂
Thanks, Dee! I really like that notebook and pen combo. I have a thing for pretty pens and notebooks. 🙂
What a wonderful idea Pam. I have always kept a half dozen note pads around. Purse, desk drawer, reading nook, etc. for brillant quotes, random thoughts and ideas, and things I am grateful for. Thanks for sharing at Mid June Inspirations (TFT Party). My shares this time are # 84, 85, and 86. Wishing you a wonderful summer and many moments of inspiration.
Thanks, Nancy! Those notebooks are treasures, aren’t they? thanks so much for visiting.
I love this Pam! I’m always adding memorabilia and photos to my journal and planners. It must be the scrapbooker in me 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend
Thanks, Maria! I hope your weekend is wonderful, too.
I have never heard of a commonplace book before. I do keep a journal though and I have just started using journal prompts
Natasha, I hadn’t heard of it before, either, until recently. I just love the name and the idea of it, and I have found it really useful!
Congratulations, your post will be featured on SSPS, Monday and also on FB Bloggers Share, Care & Inspire as well as Instagram: _esmesalon
Esme, I’m thrilled to be featured! Thank you!
Dear Pam,
So glad and happy to feature you!
Sorry to trouble you again, but I am busy designing and creating a database of your Instagram (I have this one) but still need your Facebook link and handle as you share your links with SSPS.
Please will you be so kind as to let me know your IG and FB information then I can add and easily tag you when you’re in the top 5 and I promote your post.
Thanks in advance.
Esmé – EsmeSalon
I love this idea so much!
Thank you so much, Susan!
Oh, this is a great idea! I have scribbles of things like this in a variety of places, but it would be fun to have them all together. Visiting from the Love Your Creativity linkup.
Thanks, Jennifer! I was doing the same thing – scribbling down things in different places. It’s so great to have one dedicated place for it!
This is wonderful! And one of my features for this week’s SSPS #357, thank you for joining us!
Thank you so much, Melynda!!