“Every notebook is a possibility,” says the American singer-songwriter and poet, Patti Smith. “You just open it up, and it’s like a new adventure.”
We couldn't agree more. But first …
Happy New Year, Pulp Fam! We hope you are having a gentle and happy start to 2026.
Rightio. Notebooks. Just when you think you’ve got all the notebooks you need, you realise that you’ve actually used them all up!! Listing, journaling, sketching, reviewing, authoring your future best-seller … you know what we mean!
New Year, new notebook. It's mandatory?! Look, ask, think no longer: here’s a curated list for all your 2026 notebook needs.
Penco Coil Notebook in Medium | $15.95
Spiral-bound for the win! Lays flat with aplomb. Easy to open and close. Makes writing, drawing and creating an absolute delight. Specs are as follows:
SIZE: medium. 165mm L x 142mm W x 16mm D.
COVER: Flexible plastic.
PAGE LAYOUT: Ruled (7mm).
160 pages. Spiral binding. Made in Japan.
Colourways: Blue, Natural, Mint.
Midori MD | A6 | $16.95
Lined, blank or grid. You choose. Maybe all three?! What’s your mission? Travel journal? Scrabble scorebook? A place to keep all your lyrics/poems/personal thoughts? The Great Australian novel? Maybe all of these!
Midori has something for you.
Size: A6. Pages: 176 pages.
The blank type offers the ultimate freedom when putting your ideas on paper. You can even use the two-page spread as a single canvas when drawing.
The type with lines has a thick line at the center so that you can divide each page in half or divide a two-page spread into quarters. Use it for notes or a diary, or add dates and use it as a schedule.
The grid type has 5mm squares with gaps in between, like the old genko yoshi used for writing in Japan. Every 5 and 10 squares are marked, making it easy to count how many characters are written, and the lines of the grid are pale blue so that they will not interfere with your writing or sketches.
Designed in Japan.
Rhodia / No.11 Pad / A7 / $4.95
Feel like a real life detective with this suave and sassy notebook from Rhodia. And if you actually are a real-life detective, then Kudos! And congratulations! You’ve just found your perfect notebook.
Note down these specs:
SIZE: A7. 74mm x 105mm (3 x 4")
PAGES: 80 sheets.
FEATURES: 80gsm yellow paper with smooth satin finish (acid-free, pH neutral). Paper made from sustainable forests.
MATERIALS: Paper made from sustainable forests.
Designed and made in France.
But What About Patti Smith?
In December 2019 (go check the Wayback Machine), this legendary singer-songwriter wrote on her Instagram account:
This is
my new notebook,
which cries of new
possibilities. I tried
to make a morning
video, but its very
bad. But the coffee
is good! I haven’t
posted as I was
under the weather,
but now on the mend.
One more cup of
coffee for the road!
Ditch the notes app. Instead, take a leaf out of Patti’s notebook. Sip a coffee (or tea, or juice!) and plan out some 2026 possibilities. Xx