# These are the BEST Notebooks (Accidental Notebook Czar Explains)  ## How to Use a Notebook [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=0s) - Parker Settecase, a philosopher and theologian, started studying philosophy and theology in his junior year of college and continued to learn through self-study, using simple pocket notebooks to record his thoughts [(00:00:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=27s). - As he progressed in his self-learning journey, he began using notebooks more frequently to remember things, generate new ideas, and manuscript his thoughts, eventually using them to get ahead in his academic studies [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=52s). - He started a podcast called [[Parker Pennington | Parker's Pen]], a philosophy and theology podcast that explores various topics, including nature and life, and invites experts to share their research and thoughts [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=68s). - After discovering that his audience was more interested in his study methods than the details of what he studied, he created a channel called Park Notes, which focuses on reading tips, notebook methods, and study habits [(00:01:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=99s). - He became aware of the notebook tube community and decided to dive deeper into notebooks and notebook methods, trying different brands, sizes, and methods, and inventing new ones [(00:02:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=124s). - After a year and a half of researching notebooks, he developed an in-depth analysis of how to keep a notebook and discovered some cool notebook brands that he wants to share with his audience [(00:02:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=158s). - He will be sharing his favorite medium-size and pocket-size notebooks, which are subject to change, and recommends them to his audience [(00:03:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=181s). - The connection between philosophy and notebooks is significant, as a blank notebook represents potential thoughts, experiences, and self-mastery, which are the three main categories for using notebooks to live well [(00:03:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=206s). - The first category is thoughts, where a notebook can be used to generate one's own thoughts or collect thoughts of others, making it a favorite among philosophers [(00:03:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=223s). - The second category is experience, where a notebook can be used to capture experiences, reflect on them, and gain self-knowledge, making it a useful tool for self-reflection [(00:04:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=242s). - The third category is self-mastery, where a notebook can be used to structure one's life, guard time, and ensure a desired lifestyle [(00:04:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=259s). - Paper notebooks are preferred for capturing thoughts, experiences, and mastering life, but digital methods like Pla Note can be useful in certain situations, such as when driving or on the go [(00:04:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=292s). - Pla Note is an AI audio device that records, transcribes, summarizes, and organizes meetings, calls, and conversations, making it a useful tool for productivity [(00:05:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=319s). - Pla Note can be used to collect, store, and summarize memo notes, and its features include a long press to start recording, vibration to confirm, and the ability to speak memos into the device [(00:05:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=346s). - Pla Note has been trained on ChatGPT's [[GPT-4 | GPT 4]] and is a thin, futuristic device that can be used to optimize productivity in various ways [(00:05:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=338s). - PlaNote is an app that allows users to record, transcribe, analyze, and summarize their notes, which can be read later, providing an alternative to manual note-taking [(00:06:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=368s). - The app also comes with a phone holder attachment that enables users to record, transcribe, and summarize phone calls or business meetings [(00:06:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=382s). - PlaNote utilizes artificial intelligence and new technology to optimize cognitive tasks, rather than completely offloading them [(00:06:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=394s). - The app is available to try out, with a link provided in the video description for users to access and let PlaNote know who sent them [(00:06:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=401s). - PlaNote sponsored the video, and the content creator expresses gratitude for their support [(00:06:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=404s). - The discussion will cover the four best pocket notebooks [(00:06:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=406s). ## Best Pocket Notebooks [(00:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=410s) - The best pocket notebooks are the LYTTERM 1917, which have a great shape and quality, with elastic that holds up better than the Moleskine pocket notebooks, and come with a special edition Park Notes leather cover made by Mydy Creative [(00:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=410s). - The LYTTERM 1917 notebooks are the preferred choice, but for those who find them too bulky, the Field Notes memo book is a good alternative, offering a soft cover, lightweight, and saddle-stitched design with three staples [(00:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=469s). - Field Notes is a brand that comes out with new and unique editions every quarter, making it a great choice for collectors, and its community-driven approach makes it stand out from other notebook brands [(00:08:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=504s). - The Midori [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]] is another great option, offering a unique grid style that provides a balance between freedom and structure, making it ideal for writing and note-taking [(00:09:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=550s). - The Midori notebooks can be paired with a leather cover, such as the Stride Ridge leather cover, or a paper notebook cover for those who prefer a non-leather option [(00:09:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=579s). - The choice between LYTTERM 1917, Field Notes, and Midori ultimately depends on personal preference, with LYTTERM 1917 being ideal for writing permanent thoughts and ideas, Field Notes for memos and temporary notes, and Midori for its unique grid style [(00:09:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=547s). - The Madori paper pocket notebook has a unique paper cover that is pinkish in color and has a rough edge, but it is surprisingly well-made and durable, lasting a long time and sitting flat on a desk, although it may require a cover for protection [(00:09:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=597s). - The Madori notebooks have an unfinished look and may get beat up if frequently slipped in and out of a pocket, but they can be paired with a leather cover from [[Etsy]] or the official Madori paper notebook cover [(00:10:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=610s). - The Mol Skin Caye is a plain but durable pocket notebook with a saddle stitch in the middle, making it slightly more durable than the Field Notes, but it lacks the coolness factor of the Field Notes [(00:10:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=636s). - The Mol Skin Caye can be paired with a Mydy Creative cover, which adds a unique bar system and a beautiful leather cover, making it a slim and able option [(00:11:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=672s). - The Mol Skin [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]] is an honorable mention, with a good size and paper quality, but it has fallen out of the top four due to the elastic wearing out quickly and the paper quality not being as good as other notebooks [(00:11:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=697s). - The Staly pocket notebook is another honorable mention, with a ton of pages, good paper quality, and a unique feature of having the months and days of the year at the top of each page, but the cover may start folding back over time [(00:12:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=749s). - The notebook being discussed has a shiny outer material that is different from the inside, which may cause it to pull on the paper, and the paper is super thin but still of good quality [(00:13:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=788s). - The notebook has a strong chemical smell when first opened, but the smell goes away quickly, earning it the "worst worst smell award" [(00:13:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=801s). - The notebook is a bit large to fit in a pocket and has a wide and thick profile, but it is still recommended for those who prefer a thicker pocket notebook [(00:13:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=810s). - The Madori notebook is also mentioned as being wide in profile, but the current notebook being discussed is wider and thicker [(00:13:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=812s). - The Smithson of [[Bond Street (Manhattan) | Bond Street]] notebook is a favorite, but it is very expensive and not refillable, with a rich history dating back to 1887 [(00:13:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=829s). - The Smithson of Bond Street notebook was used by [[Professor Moriarty | Moriarty]] in the Sherlock Holmes movie "[[Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows | Game of Shadows]]" and is of high quality, but its expensiveness makes it impractical to recommend [(00:14:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=841s). - The Smithson of Bond Street notebook is not recommended due to its high price and lack of refillability, making other options more practical [(00:14:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=873s). ## Best Medium-Sized Notebooks [(00:14:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=880s) - The L term 1917 A5 notebook is considered the best medium-sized notebook, offering high-quality paper, a durable elastic closure, and a true A5 size with ample margins [(00:14:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=881s). - The notebook features a graph style with nice color and spacing, suitable for use with fountain pens, unlike some other brands that have changed their paper quality [(00:15:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=909s). - The L term 1917 A5 notebook is available with various covers, including a Norm con leather notebook, a Saddleback cover, a myy Creative leather cover, and an opr cover from [[Etsy]] [(00:15:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=959s). - The Saddleback cover is a popular choice, featuring a pen loop and a design that fits the L term 1917 A5 perfectly [(00:16:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=977s). - Another option is the myy Creative leather cover, which holds everything together and has a [[Parker Pen Company | Parker Pen]] [(00:16:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=991s). - For those who prefer non-leather covers, the wax canvas lockb cover is a great alternative, offering a rugged design with two pen loops and a hook [(00:17:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1020s). - The madori A5 notebook is also highly recommended, featuring a unique grid design, Japanese paper, and a smooth cover, although it may benefit from a cover to protect the unfinished binding [(00:17:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1051s). - The madori A5 notebook has the best grid design among all notebooks and opens up flat, making it a great choice for writing and note-taking [(00:17:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1058s). - Midori MD A5 notebooks can be protected with a cover, which doesn't have to be leather, and Midori also offers a paper cover option for their A5 notebooks [(00:18:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1095s). - The Midori A5 notebook is available with graph paper, which is a unique and awesome feature, and it's recommended to try it out [(00:18:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1137s). - The Lerm 1917 B6 Plus is considered one of the best-sized notebooks, as it's small enough to fit in a pocket but can still hold a lot of pages, and it's made with high-quality materials [(00:19:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1147s). - The Lerm 1917 B6 Plus has an elastic closure and can be used for various purposes, including writing short stories, and it's available in hardcover and softcover options [(00:19:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1149s). - The Field Notes 6 64-page notebook is a medium-sized notebook that's similar in size to the Lerm 1917 B6, but it's thinner and can fit in a back pocket, making it a great tool for thinking, collecting ideas, and capturing experiences [(00:20:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1252s). - Mission Leather Co offers cool leather covers for notebooks, which can hold business cards, money, or other items, and have a unique design that resembles wallets for Field Notes memo books [(00:21:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1304s). - The Field Notes 64-page notebook is a favorite, with a simple design and good quality paper, and was previously used for outlining videos before upgrading to the Madori notebook [(00:22:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1324s). - The Hobonichi Notebook is an honorable mention, featuring graph paper and a unique cardboard cover, and is notable for its exceptional paper smell [(00:22:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1338s). - The M skin notebook is another honorable mention, a classic choice with a medium size and 400 pages, although the paper and elastic band have changed and may not be as durable [(00:22:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1376s). - The Expanded Medium M skin notebook is a variation of the M skin, with 400 pages and a thicker design, but may have the same issues with the elastic band and paper quality [(00:23:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1403s). - The Medium Sty notebook is a good option for those who want a lot of pages and good quality paper, with a leather cover available from Stride Ridge, and is suitable for writing and note-taking [(00:24:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1449s). - The Moleskin Caye medium notebook is a saddle-stitched notebook with a medium size, similar to the Medium M skin, and is a good option for those who prefer a different binding style [(00:25:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1501s). - A notebook with a stitch down the middle and a compartment in the back for storing mementos or notes is described, with the option to customize it with stickers or other personal touches [(00:25:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1509s). - The notebook is compared to Field Notes, but is considered more durable, and is used for theology notes [(00:25:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1519s). - The notebook can be used on its own or protected with a Mydy Creative cover for added durability [(00:25:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1546s). - A Rogue Journal is introduced as a high-quality notebook with unique designs, thick paper, and a leather cover, making it suitable for use with fountain pens [(00:26:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1576s). - The Rogue Journal is described as the official journal for random ideas and processing thoughts, and is available at RogueJournals.com [(00:26:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1587s). - The notebook is considered surprisingly affordable given its quality and the amount of leather used in its construction [(00:26:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1617s). - The video concludes with an invitation to viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel, which covers topics such as philosophy, notebooks, theology, and science fiction [(00:27:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfGjXQvzh2E&t=1636s).