Essentials Dot Matrix Notebook, A5 size Hardcover – December 1, 2016

I always get these notebooks to use for my bullet journal. The pages are well-bound and never fall out. The dots are reliable guides that help me organize my page but they don't get in the way and fade into the background when I write or need some white space. The covers are sturdy and protective of what's inside. The elastic band is perfect for holding the book shut or clipping a pen on the outside for convenience.I have been ordering these journals for years and fully intend to continue to do so. Why pay $40 for an "official" journal when I can have a better one that's more customizable for a great price like this one? Highly recommend.

I wanted to start a new journal for the new year, but I didn't want to shell out for another Leuchtturm. I decided to try this journal and I am not disappointed. This journal is a great value and I actually like the paper quality, color, and the binding better than my previous Leuchtturm 1917.Designed with Bullet Journaling in mind, it's perfect.This journal has stitched binding that lays really, really flat and all the dots line up so it's perfect for large spreads that span across two pages. I prefer it to the Leuchtturm binding. The paper is also thicker (less ghosting) and it is a paler white - not bright white, but not as ivory as the Leuchtturm. It has a pocket in the back, a ribbon book mark, and a nice elastic to hold it together. The cover is thicker than Leuchtturms and has more of a textured finish. It can get a little dented around the edges, but it seems really durable.Things you might miss you you love Leuchtturms - it only has one ribbon bookmark instead of two, it doesn't have a pre-printed index page and page numbers & it doesn't come with any stickers (you can easily add other markers to track key places in your journal, make your own index and page numbers, and find other solutions besides the stickers, though). Bright and fun colors are another thing you might miss. This only comes in black.If you are looking for a great bargain Bullet Journal that looks like a Leuchtturm, this is great. Another budget option that I have used before is Northbooks. They are made in the USA and have really good paper quality. I got the softback ones that were only about 96 pages, though and I was wanting a longer lasting journal. This one has about 188-190 pages... depending on which page you want to start your numbering on. I started on the first flat page and got 188.

I know these notebooks are mainly used by bullet journalers but I actually use them for course work and school. They are perfect- traditionally sized notebooks are too large for me in the space they take up on my desk, in portability, in storage, and in reviewing the notes inside them- it's much easier for me to study when my notes are in smaller format. Also, the grid/dot formats allow me to draw diagrams, charts, etc. and have those illustrations and examples flow neatly into the notes I take.These notebooks are well made, the paper is thick but not super thick (no bleed through but a good numbers of pages in each notebook) so no bleed- through, they are well bound (I have not yet had a single one come apart at the binding- the pages are tight but lie flat), the grids on them are the perfect darkness (you can see them but they don't conflict with writing), and they actually look nice on the shelf when I store them away when I am done with whatever the course is I used the book for.I have a whole stack of them and will continue buying more as long as there are more courses in my future.

This book has been great for me trying out bullet journalling! I was NOT about to spend $30 for 'the' bullet journal that everyone else is using, especially when it isn't needed. The dot grid pattern is perfect for me as it serves as a guide, rather than an in-your-face graph pattern. It has a handy envelope in the back, and a ribbon for keeping the page, as well as a band for keeping it shut. It comes in black (for now, anyway). There are only a few complaints. It might be minor, but I noticed as I was using the book, there is one stitch (?) in the book's binding on the bottom of all of the pages that is missing. It's not really noticeable, but I thought worth a mention, especially if you plan on tearing pages out or flipping through your book violently. Another, I guess, "complaint" is that I had ordered it at the end of the year (which at the time was sold out), and I kept checking on the status of it, kept getting restocked then out of stock again, several times. It was kind of torture, especially when I wanted to start my bujo right away! Guess it was pretty popular!! Last complaint is that it ghosts through the pages, even when using a sharpie "no bleed through" pen. Okay, unless I'm actually coloring a spot on the page, it doesn't bleed through, so I'll give that credit. But the pages aren't too thick (and crack if you want to fold them over). Wow, this sounds like a really negative review, but I swear I love the book!