The Commonplace Book: A Stoic Reading Journal

The Commonplace Book is a modern commonplace book and reading journal for the books that deserve more than one reading.

Most of what we read is forgotten within a week. For centuries thoughtful readers kept a commonplace book: a single place for the ideas and sentences that changed them. This is yours, designed for the books that deserve more than one reading.

Who it is for

Readers of philosophy, history and anything worth remembering. A thoughtful gift for the reader in your life.

What is inside

• Twelve book notes spreads: why I chose it, ideas that mattered, lines worth keeping and one lesson to practise.
• The collection: a place for quotations, always with their source.
• A reading list: the books you mean to read next.
• An index of themes: so the right idea is there when you need it.

How to use it

Open a spread when you start a new book. Note why you chose it. As you read, copy the lines that stop you. When you finish, write the one lesson you will put into practice.

Why it works

Seneca advised reading deeply in a few great minds rather than skimming many. A commonplace book turns reading into thinking and thinking into practice.

What you receive

• One PDF of 31 pages.
• US Letter pages that also print well on A4.

Good to know

• Instant download after checkout. No shipping, no waiting.
• Works in GoodNotes, Notability, Noteshelf, Xodo or any PDF app, and prints beautifully on US Letter or A4.
• If a file will not open, contact us with your order number and we will send a corrected one.
• For personal use. Please do not share or resell the files.

Your next great book deserves to be remembered. Download The Commonplace Book and start keeping it.

Why this commonplace book works

The Commonplace Book is part of a small collection of Stoic journals made to be used every day, not admired on a shelf. Every page draws on the same public domain wisdom you can read in the Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, free on Project Gutenberg. Explore more Stoic journals, or read our guide on how to journal like Marcus Aurelius.