Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Moleskine Notebooks
I love Moleskine notebooks. I use one for jotting down notes for writing projects, one for meeting notes at work, and one for journaling. Why these slightly more expensive ones instead of any old bound notebook? Why these instead of some other high end German engineered writing receptacle? I could argue their quality; they are nicer than most other notebooks. The paper is of just the right weight not to bleed through and just absorbent enough not to let ink smear. Really, though, it’s psychological. One wears a suit to dress for success. New shoes make one feel faster. So a Moleskine makes users feel like a writer or a creator a journaler. You don’t get that from spiral bound or composition notebooks. You don’t get that from legal pads. Those feel like homework or meeting notes, and they feel disposable. Moleskines feel like you’re writing in an artifact worth keeping and revisiting.
2. Baleaf Workout Clothes
I’m 41 years old and would like to live several more decades in relatively good health. As such, I try to stay active and workout with some regularity. I do not, however, like spending money on high end fitness gear. I want comfort, a good fit, and the ability to absorb/wick sweat. I have tried any number of inexpensive brands and generally find them to be exemplary of the adage “you get what you pay for.” A few years ago I found Baleaf, and it checks all the boxes–budget friendly, light weight, good quality, good fit. You can tell it’s not high end, but the clothes are dramatically better than the cheap stuff.
3. On Writing Well by William Zinsser
My favorite book on writing is Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, but Zinsser’s book might be the best in terms of instruction to helping a writer get better. King’s is a rolicking good time and generally captivating. Zinsser’s is the work of a professor who wants to see his students excel at the craft of writing and expects them to do so. As a prolific writer of many genres and styles and on many subjects, Zinsser brings all his considerable knowledge and effort to bear in this book. It is practical, pointed, and lays out clear examples of both excellent and poor writing. It is the kind of book that is enjoyable to read for people who love the craft of writing but is helpful to read for anyone who has to do any writing. It is excellent and should be revisited
