Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper | 
pickReally fun microhistory about something I am obsessed about: notebooks. It is very well written, with each chapter covering interesting historical vignettes about notebooks from mainly Renaissance to the present. I feel it is not thorough, but it is illuminating and well written, and you can enjoy it even if you are not a notebook nerd.
My cat also enjoyed it, as you can see.She gives it a definite Paws up!
pickIn addition to the physical history, Roland also discusses how notebooks were used throughout history - in accounting, art, natural history, writing, etc. and various ways notebooks were perceived. I.e., in the 1200s when clergy refused to use anything other than parchment being suspicious of paper's novelty and its infidel and recycled origins: “one opponent fulminated against the idea that the word of God could be written on menses-stained rag.“
pickEverything a quality non-fiction book should be - informative, accessible, absorbing, well researched and absolutely fascinating! The writing is highly engaging, never getting bogged down in dry details, and has warmth & humour. The subject matter is more complex & intriguing than I thought possible! Researching this must've been an absolute joy for the author & that joy most definitely comes across! Impeccably referenced, a fabulous read.
My Christmas books - 1/3
This book brings together reading ❤️ AND stationery ❤️ thus ticking all my favourite boxes & I can't wait to start it!
