In feature

Peek Inside My Reading Journal

Author Thien-Kim LamPosted on 1 Comment
Peek Inside My Reading Journal

The irony of becoming a published writer means that I have less time to read them. I’m not counting the 20+ times I have to read my own work during the drafting, revising, and publishing process.

Even though I take long breaks between reading books, I’ll never give up reading. I’m format agnostic when I read. Print books, ebooks, audiobooks—I love them all. There’s a time and place for each of them. If I’m lucky enough to have the book in multiple formats, I will switch between them. (Thanks to my public library!)

Also my perimenopausal brain fog makes it harder for me to jump into some fantasy and sci-fi world building. So I’ve adjusted my reading goals and intentions to fit my lifestyle better. Yes, I’m a romance writer but I also love SSF. Even better when there’s romance in them!

My Reading Goals

Raiders of the Lost Heart. You’ll want to read the entire series by Jo Segura. Imagine if there was less colonialism and more kissing in Indiana Jones.

Since I read less books, I try to read more intentionally. My reading goals are:

  • A majority of my books I’ve read are written by BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and women writers. Even better when those intersect.
  • DNF (did not finish) books I’m not enjoying. I have too many unread books to spend time with one that doesn’t make me happy. Usually it’s not the book or writer’s fault. I’m a mood reader
  • Read more closely (if possible). That means highlighting passages I like and writing a thoughtful review that’s for my eyes only
  • Add the book, fave quotes, and review to my reading journal

Documenting Books in my Journal

Love is a War Song by Danica Nava. Highly recommend!

I document the basics in my reading journal, but I enjoy combining multiple hobbies when I do so. I use a mix of fountain pen, watercolor, gouache, stamps, stickers, washi and more. It all depends on how much time I have to spend with my journal.

Temping is Hell by Cathy Yardley was so fun. It made me laugh out loud.

I recently made an Instagram reel of my latest journal entry for Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers. It took me longer to make this video than adding it to my journal. Ha!

I’m currently 2 books behind in my reading journal, but that’s fine with me. I want this process and this journal to be low stress. When I’m too busy and don’t feel like pulling out all the tools, I print out the cover on some sticky backed photo paper and call it done.

Just like my life, my reading journal is a work in progress.

Do you keep a reading journal?

In Planners & Organizers

April Planner Set-Up: Second Quarter Reboot

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
April Planner Set-Up: Second Quarter Reboot

For April, I needed to reboot my set-up after a less-than-stellar March. I fell off the planner wagon for a couple weeks in March so my planner has some blank pages. I’m not switching planners, I am just turning the page and going to keep going. Those blank pages tell their own story about how my year has progressed.

If this has happened to you, don’t give up. Give yourself permission to start over. If your blank pages bother you, clip them together or heck, rip them out. You have my permission to start over — if you need that.

For April, I am embracing flowers, new growth and fresh changes. I am using up half-used sticker sheets as well as some new clear stamps and continuing to work my way through my washi collections.

For the whole story and flip-throughs of my March pages plus my plan for April, check out the video below.

Products shown:

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In Link Love

Link Love: Is No Joke

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Link Love: Is No Joke

No April Fool’s Day jokes here today. The world is too scary right now so we are gonna stay true to who we are– pens, ink,and stationery love!

This week’s Link Love graphic is part of the printable goodies Patrons have access to. If you want to be a part of the fun and get free downloadable and printable files, hop over and sign up now at any level to get our April graphics.

Now, onto the links!

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Book Reviews:

Other Interesting Things:

Check out our Patreon where you can get inspiration, gossip and free printables that include a biweekly podcast and more. Your patronage supports this site. Without them, and without you, we could not continue to do what we do. Thank you!

In Pen Review

Gel Pen Review: Zebra Sarasa Nano – 5 Color Set – Basic – 0.38mm

Author Laura CameronPosted on Leave a comment
Gel Pen Review: Zebra Sarasa Nano – 5 Color Set – Basic – 0.38mm

Last time I wandered through JetPens to try ALL the gel pens, I picked up a pack of Zebra Sarasa Nano .038mm pens (5 Color Set – Basic for $12.50).

The set is what it says – a basic set, but I love that it includes orange and pink in addition to red/blue/black which are more standard.

As a general rule, I like what I see of Zebra Sarasa pens. They function well and are a great introductory option. My only objection is that they are more or less intended to be disposable, and I’m really trying not to use “single use” plastics and fill up landfills. So I was curious to see that these are refillable too!

The specs on these inks says they’re pigment based and noted as archival quality. Does that mean water resistant? It does. That ink ain’t going anywhere!

I will say that this set with the .38mm nibs is a little on the thin side for me. They’re not scratchy, but I prefer slightly wider and wetter gel pens and nibs (I guess I’m still on my Pilot Juice kick!). That said, if I need to write in small letters and details, I appreciate the fine writing possibilities of a smaller point. And If you’re wanting to test drive some gel pens, I do like these a lot!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the items included in this review were provided to us free of charge for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Fountain Pen Review

Fountain Pen Review: Faber-Castell Neo Fountain Pen (Olive Green)

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments
Fountain Pen Review: Faber-Castell Neo Fountain Pen (Olive Green)

It had been a long time since I gave Faber-Castell fountain pens a spin so when I saw the slim, metal Faber-Castell Neo Slim Aluminum Fountain Pen in Olive Green (EF nib, $67), I decided it was time to try again. The Neo Slim comes in several other color options including a black-and-rose-gold.

This pen is brushed aluminum design that feel a little like the Makralon Lamy 2000, that slightly toothy exterior. It is a narrow, slender design which reminds me of the Faber-Castell colored pencil in width.

The pen uses a standard international cartridge or converter. The pen shipped with no converter. At a price over $50, I really want pen makers to include a converter.

The cap is a snap cap which makes it a quick and easy pen to use in office settings, meetings and note-taking since there is no twisting.

The clip and nib are black anodized metal. I got the EF nib in hopes that it would be fine enough for my use.

I was surprised at how wide the lines were with the EF nib. Its not scratchy but it is definitely wider than what I was expecting from an EF nib.

When the EF Neo nib is compared with other EF nibs, it is the widest. I would compare it to a medium, at least a Japanese medium. It’s EF as Lamy thinks of EF nibs. So if you like needlepoint nibs, this is not for you.

Size comparison:

I was hoping that the Neo would be competitive to the Caran d’Ache 849 fountain pen. It is very similar in length. The Neo is slimmer. Next to the Sailor ProGear Slim and Kaweco Sport, the Neo is the narrowest of the bunch.

The nib is similar in size but the Neo nib is a unique shape.

The grip section is the shortest with the sharpest step down. That is one of the things I found the hardest to deal with. It was a little pokey in my hand.

Finally, I’ve been working with this Faber-Castell pen all week only to discover that the snap cap doesn’t seal completely and every time I uncap it, the nib is dry and hard starts.

Sadly, this is the deal breaker for me. The point of a snap cap pen is for it to be easy to use on a regular basis. If after only a day, its dry, that’s a no-go.

I will try this pen with a different ink since the Monteverde California Teal is a sheeny ink that may be causing the pen to dry a little faster but I’ve never had a problem with it in other pens so I think its a long shot.

My Final Opinion

The Faber-Castell Neo Slim is very narrow pen in the hand so it is going to appeal to a very specific audience. When you add a wide nib for an EF, not a complete seal with the snap cap, and no converter, and I can’t really recommend this pen. I wanted to love it but I just don’t and I keep trying to use only to have it hard start. Argh!

Do you have a Neo Slim fountain pen? What nib size do you have? Do you like it?

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In Paper Review

Notebook Review: Artik Coconut Pocket Notebook (Pack Of 3)

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments
Notebook Review: Artik Coconut Pocket Notebook (Pack Of 3)

I got so excited when I saw the Artik line of pocket notebooks ($16 for a pack of 3 notebooks). For starters, each notebook in their line-up features a cover made from recycled plant by-product material like coconut, hazelnut, olive and cherry. The interior paper in all the notebooks is 100% sugarcane paper that is a warm, kraft color made with no chlorine. Their tagline is “Writing a Better Future” and with being recyclable, compostable, acid-free, chlorine-free and printed with soy ink, I have to agree they are doing their best to live up to the tagline.

All the notebook covers are heavy cardstock and feature either 90gsm sugarcane lined or dot grid paper inside. I got a lined version and the lines a just a few shades darker than the paper which is perfect — there if you need them but easy to ignore if you don’t.

Each notebook in the 3-pack set is “Singer” stitchbound for durability.

Each notebook features a whopping 80 pages which is 32 more pages than a regular Field Notes/

Artik pocket notebook next to a standard Field Note brand pocket notebook. WAY mote pages in each Artik.

I tested a wide variety of pens since I often use a pocket notebook on the go and while fountain pen friendliness is a bonus, I often use extra fine gel and felt tip pens in pocket notebooks so I can fit a lot of writing into them.

The righthand page is the back of another pen test page. See any showthrough? Nope, me either.

I had no issue with showthrough or bleedthrough with any of the pens, markers or fountain pens I tried. This is a notebook that I could really use both sides of the paper without feeling like I was compromising. There really is NO showthrough at all!

Some lighter color markers and pens might not be contrasty enough on the kraft colored, slight speckly paper but most of the pens, markers and fountain pens I tried performed well.

In more detailed fountain pen tests, I was able to get shimmer ink to show on the page but didn’t see a lot of evidence of sheen even with the sparkly sheen monster Lucky Cosmos.

I did notice a slight spread in my fountain pen ink. My EFs looked like Fs and my Fs looked like MFs. It wasn’t terrible but is probably the only downside I have about these books.

I love the designs on the covers of Field Notes but I know I cannot ever use them with fountain pens. The Artik notebooks, on the other hand, stood up to fountain pen ink with only a tiny bit of spread but still did not bleed or show through to the opposite page. So, from that aspect, I have to give these books high praise. The higher page count and epically environmental manufacturing is also worthy of high praise.

The price point is competitive with Field Notes as well so if you are looking for the same pocketability but just a little more, I can’t recommend the Artik highly enough. Of course, if you don’t like kraft colored paper then these won’t be for you. I guess that just means more for me!

DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided by the generous support of Patrons like you. Please see the About page for more details.