r/commonplacebook

I just got into commonplacing and am so excited to show my first few pages. Let me know if you have any tips!

Hello first post here!

This is an issue I've been struggling for quite a while now. Everytime I want to write down notes on a book or video or whatnot, I end up taking seriously long notes. Like, this is precisely how I take notes with my readings in uni 😄.

The thing is I have no idea how to shorten my notes at all. I don't just want to write a general summary bc that feels like I'm skipping out on so many interesting facts. But the length of how I write things makes me intimidated and lazy to even take or continue notetaking.

How do you guys do it? How do you guys take concise notes on information heavy books or other media? Let me know your tips pls !

Photos above are all notes of one book, which took 5 pages. It's divided by chapter, sub-chapters, then the main text is bullet form

i cannot find the stolen Apollo one but i saw it yesterday. i guess it was deleted now.

I have plenty of saved recipes everywhere since COVID because TikTok and Reels has a lot of recipe content then for everyone at home to relieve boredom (remember Dalgona coffee and microwave cupcake?)

I genuinely liked the few I tried and I cooked almost daily during those 2 years of being cooped up at home. I’m starting to catalogue my favorite/frequently used recipes into a commonplace journal as the content bloat from all these saved places became way too much to remember.

As these get penned down on paper, my digital bloat reduces as well. I’m also getting my parents to write down their signature recipes in my book for future safekeeping.

PS: This book was gifted by an ex-boss who bought it off the streets of India. The paper quality is really good and I really love the handmade Indian textile cover.

Does anyone pair a topic they are interested in documenting/researching in their commonplace book (wine, home decor, travel, etc) and then add an element of fiction to go along with it, or is a commonplace book purely research and academic? I realize this is my book and I can do whatever I want, but I’m also curious to know if anyone uses their research topic/theme of the commonplace book to push the boundaries between fact, historical research, and creative exploration?
Lately I’ve found myself venturing into this blended world….curious to know if others do the same!

I basically restarted my zibaldone because my last one was really getting in my nerves. I know, I know, it’s not about perfection BUT I had a hard time going back into because it felt so overwhelming. Anyways. I’m starting this one but I’m still unsure of the format. I like the idea of having a margin but I have tension with having to create a margin each time. I’m just looking for advice and maybe inspiration to just keep doing what I’m doing

After seeing all your beautiful creations, I was inspired to give it a try. I enjoy journaling, but this is my first entry in a common placebook.

hi friends !! here are some of my recent pages i liked 🥰 i’ve been enjoying using substack a lot !

It's also my first time using a fountain pen in my adult life, so it's a bit messy!