The Art of Commonplace Books: History, Famous Practitioners, Formats, and Modern Analogs Like Zettelkasten
Where Quill Meets Papyrus and beyond
Have you ever stumbled across a quote so perfect, an idea so brilliant, or a passage so moving that you wished you could capture it forever? Well, my fellow knowledge foragers, you're not alone! For centuries, curious minds have been doing exactly that through the beautiful practice of keeping commonplace books, and today, we're diving deep into this fascinating world of analog wisdom-gathering.
Picture this: a leather-bound notebook filled with handwritten quotes, sketches, recipes, observations, and random thoughts, all carefully curated by someone who understood that knowledge isn't just about reading, it's about collecting, connecting, and creating something uniquely your own. That's the magic of a commonplace book, and trust me, once you understand their rich history and incredible potential, you'll never look at note-taking the same way again!
What Exactly Is a Commonplace Book?
Let's start with the basics, shall we? A commonplace book is essentially a personal notebook where you compile any information you find interesting, useful, or inspiring. Think of it as your intellectual treasure chest, a place where brilliant quotes mingle with grocery lists, where profound philosophical insights share pages with doodles and random observations about the weather.
The term "commonplace" comes from the Latin locus communis, meaning "a general or common place." Originally, these were collections of proverbial wisdom and commonly known statements that people could reference when needed. But oh, how they've evolved! Modern commonplace books can contain quotes, stories, ideas from other people, poems, song lyrics, recipes, book titles, sketches, pressed flowers, ticket stubs, literally anything you want to remember or reference later.
What makes a commonplace book different from a regular journal or diary? Well, while a diary captures your daily experiences and a journal might focus on personal reflection, a commonplace book is all about collecting and organizing knowledge from the world around you. It's less "Dear Diary, today I felt..." and more "Here's this incredible thing I learned, and here's how it connects to that other fascinating idea I discovered last month!"
The Ancient Roots: Where It All Began
Common Place Books
The practice of keeping commonplace books stretches back to ancient times, rooted in classical rhetoric and the art of persuasion. Ancient Greeks and Romans understood something we're just rediscovering today, that true learning happens when you actively engage with ideas, not just passively consume them.
In medieval monasteries, monks kept what they called "florilegia" (literally "flower gatherings"), collections of excerpts from religious texts, moral teachings, and philosophical insights. These weren't just study aids; they were spiritual companions, carefully curated repositories of wisdom that could guide and inspire throughout a lifetime.
But the real revolution in commonplace book keeping came during the Renaissance and Early Modern period in Europe. As literacy spread and printed books became more accessible, people suddenly had access to more ideas than ever before. They needed a system to capture, organize, and make sense of this information overload, sound familiar?
John Locke: The Grandfather of Modern Note-Taking
Now, here's where things get really exciting! In 1685, the brilliant English philosopher John Locke published a treatise in French that would revolutionize how people thought about organizing knowledge. Later translated into English in 1706 as "A New Method of Making Common-Place-Books," Locke's work was basically the productivity hack of the 17th century!
Locke wasn't just telling people to write stuff down, he was providing systematic techniques for entering proverbs, quotations, ideas, and speeches, with an emphasis on organizing material by subject and category. His method used key topics like love, politics, religion, and philosophy as organizing principles. Imagine having a personal Wikipedia, but handwritten and perfectly tailored to your interests and needs!
The impact was immediate and lasting. Publishers smelled opportunity and began printing blank commonplace books with pre-designed spaces for headings and indices. John Bell, nearly a century after Locke's work, published "Bell's Common-Place Book, Formed generally upon the Principles Recommended and Practised by Mr Locke." Talk about brand recognition that lasts!
What I find particularly fascinating is how Locke's system anticipated many of the organizational challenges we face today with digital information. He developed sophisticated indexing methods, cross-referencing systems, and topical categorizations that would make any modern knowledge worker weep with envy.
Famous Practitioners: The Celebrity Commonplace Keepers
Oh, do we have some stories for you! The list of famous commonplace book keepers reads like a who's who of creative and intellectual history, and their methods were as diverse as their personalities.
Literary Giants
Thomas Jefferson kept extensive commonplace books throughout his life, copying passages from his reading and organizing them by topic. These books became the intellectual foundation for many of his political ideas and influenced everything from the Declaration of Independence to his architectural designs for Monticello.
Comedy Legends Who Took Notes Seriously
Here's something that might surprise you: some of the funniest people in history were also meticulous note-takers! Phyllis Diller maintained an astounding 52,000 three-by-five-inch index cards organized into filing cabinets. Each card contained a joke, observation, or comedic idea, all carefully catalogued and cross-referenced.
Joan Rivers took this even further, accumulating over a million index cards during her career! She understood that comedy wasn't just about being naturally funny: it was about systematically collecting, organizing, and refining humorous observations about the world.
Bob Hope organized 85,000 pages of jokes and one-liners in files, while George Carlin used paper notes arranged in folders. Even modern rap artist Eminem employed what he called "Stacking Ammo": maintaining minimal organization beyond his own recognition of handwriting variations and paper types.
Political Figures and Intellectuals
Ronald Reagan had perhaps the most unique system: he kept his note cards in a photo album-like binder, allowing him to flip through them like a book while retaining the ability to rearrange and add pages as needed. This hybrid approach combined the accessibility of a book with the flexibility of individual cards.
Roland Barthes, the influential French philosopher and literary theorist, maintained approximately 12,250 cards using traditional methods. His commonplace book system directly contributed to his groundbreaking work in semiotics and cultural criticism.
Leonardo da Vinci kept extensive notebooks that combined artistic sketches, scientific observations, engineering designs, and philosophical musings: truly the ultimate Renaissance commonplace book approach!
The Zettelkasten Method: Commonplace Books' Systematic Cousin
Now, let's discuss one of the most sophisticated variations of the commonplace book tradition: the Zettelkasten method. This German approach, known as the Zettelkasten method (literally meaning "slip-box"), represents a more structured way of organizing knowledge using individual notecards or slips of paper.
The most celebrated practitioner was Niklas Luhmann, one of the greatest sociologists and systems theorists of the twentieth century. Here's what's mind-blowing: Luhmann wrote approximately 70 books and hundreds of articles during his career, many of which became classics in sociology, and he did it all without forcing himself to write! His secret? A meticulously organized Zettelkasten system.
How Luhmann's System Worked
Luhmann would read something interesting and write down the information on a notecard with a unique identifier. Crucially, he would also add his own thoughts, reactions, and connections to the idea. Then, instead of filing the card by topic (like traditional commonplace books), he would place it according to how it related to his existing notes and thinking.
This created what he called a "conversation partner": his Zettelkasten would literally talk back to him, suggesting connections and sparking new ideas he never would have thought of otherwise. Each card could spawn dozens of branching subthreads, creating a web of interconnected knowledge that grew more valuable over time.
Key Differences from Traditional Commonplace Books
The crucial distinction between a traditional commonplace book and a Zettelkasten lies in the way they are processed. While commonplace books often store thoughts and quotes from other people, a Zettelkasten is designed to process them in your own words, creating original connections and insights.
Think of it this way: a commonplace book is like a beautiful library where you can find things, while a Zettelkasten is like a research partner that not only helps you see things but also suggests unexpected connections and generates new ideas.
The Beautiful Variety of Formats
One of the most delightful aspects of commonplace books is their remarkable diversity in format and organization. Let me walk you through some of the approaches that have evolved over the centuries.
Traditional Bound Books
The classic approach utilizes a bound notebook, ranging from a simple composition book to an elegant leather journal.
Some keepers prefer lined pages for neat handwriting, others swear by blank pages for maximum flexibility, and still others love dot-grid pages that offer structure without constraints.
The organization within bound books varies tremendously. Some people use:
Chronological organization: Simply writing entries in order as they encounter them
Topical sections: Dedicating different parts of the book to different subjects
Index systems: Maintaining a detailed index at the front or back to find specific entries
Color coding: Using different colored inks or highlighting for different types of information
The Index Card Revolution
The invention of standardized index cards in the late 19th century revolutionized personal knowledge management. These small, uniform cards offered incredible flexibility: you could rearrange them, sort them by different criteria, and add new information anywhere in your system without disrupting the existing organization.
Card sizes matter! The standard 3x5 inch cards are perfect for brief quotes and simple ideas, while 4x6 or 5x7 cards offer more space for longer excerpts and more complex thoughts. Some practitioners even use different sizes for different types of information: small cards for quotes, larger ones for personal reflections and connections.
Hybrid Systems
Many modern practitioners combine approaches, using bound books for daily capture and index cards for more permanent, organized storage. Others use notebooks for different subjects: one for literature, another for science, a third for personal philosophy.
Some creative souls have developed elaborate systems using:
Tab dividers to organize sections
Colored paper or cards to categorize information types
Symbols and icons to mark different kinds of entries
Cross-referencing numbers to connect related ideas across different locations
Why Analog Beats Digital (And I'm Not Just Being Nostalgic!)
Now, before you roll your eyes and think I'm just another analog devotee resistant to progress, hear me out! There are genuine cognitive and practical advantages to keeping physical commonplace books that no digital system has quite replicated.
The Hand-Brain Connection
Research from neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists consistently shows that writing by hand activates different parts of the brain than typing. When you physically write something down, you engage motor memory, spatial awareness, and deeper processing centers in ways that improve comprehension and retention.
Dr. Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer from Princeton and UCLA conducted studies showing that students who took handwritten notes performed better on conceptual questions than those who typed their notes, even when the typed notes were more complete. The act of handwriting forces you to process and synthesize information more deeply because you can't write as fast as you can type, so you have to think about what's really important.
Serendipitous Discovery
Physical books and cards have a wonderful way of surprising you! When you're flipping through pages looking for one thing, you stumble across something completely different that suddenly connects. Digital search is incredibly efficient, but it's also very literal: you find exactly what you're looking for, nothing more, nothing less.
In a physical commonplace book, you might be looking for that perfect quote about resilience and instead rediscover a recipe you copied down months ago, which reminds you of a conversation with your grandmother, which sparks an entirely new train of thought about family traditions. These serendipitous connections are gold for creative thinking!
The Satisfaction of Physical Creation
There's something deeply satisfying about creating a beautiful, tangible artifact of your learning journey. Your commonplace book becomes a physical manifestation of your intellectual growth: you can see how your handwriting has changed, how your interests have evolved, how your thinking has deepened over time.
Plus, let's be honest: there's just something magical about the feel of quality paper, the flow of a good pen, and the visual appeal of a well-organized page that no screen can quite replicate.
No Digital Decay
Physical books don't become obsolete when software updates, companies go out of business, or file formats change. Your great-grandmother's recipe book is still perfectly readable today, but try opening a file created in an obscure software program from the 1990s!
Modern Analogs and Related Systems
While we're celebrating the traditional commonplace book, it's worth acknowledging that the core principles have inspired numerous modern organizational systems. Understanding these connections can help you choose the approach that works best for your lifestyle and goals.
Bullet Journaling
Ryder Carroll's Bullet Journal method combines elements of commonplace books with task management and daily reflection. Like traditional commonplace books, bullet journals are highly personal and can include quotes, ideas, observations, and random thoughts alongside to-do lists and calendar entries.
The key connection is the emphasis on analog capture, personal customization, and the integration of different types of information in one system. Many bullet journalists dedicate sections of their journals to collections: essentially mini commonplace books within their larger organizational system.
Digital Zettelkasten Tools
Obsidian Notes
Modern software like Roam Research, Obsidian (my daily driver), and RemNote attempt to recreate the connection-making power of Luhmann's Zettelkasten system in digital form. These tools excel at creating links between ideas and visualizing connections, but they require a different kind of discipline and intentionality than physical systems.
The advantage of digital Zettelkasten tools is their ability to search across thousands of notes instantly and to visualize complex webs of connections. The disadvantage is that they can become overwhelming and may not provide the same depth of processing that comes with handwriting.
Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) Systems
The modern PKM movement draws heavily from commonplace book traditions. Systems like Getting Things Done, Building a Second Brain, and various note-taking methodologies all echo the fundamental insight that knowledge isn't just about consuming information: it's about actively collecting, organizing, and connecting ideas to create something new.
Getting Started: Your First Commonplace Book Adventure
Ready to begin your own commonplace book journey? Wonderful! Let me share some gentle guidance to help you get started without feeling overwhelmed.
Choosing Your Format
Start simple! Don't get caught up in finding the "perfect" system: the best commonplace book is the one you'll actually use. Consider:
For beginners: A basic notebook or journal is perfect. Select something that feels comfortable in your hands and suits your lifestyle. If you're always on the go, a smaller pocket-sized book might work best. If you do most of your reading at home, a larger format gives you more space to work with.
For experimenters: Try starting with index cards and a simple filing box. This gives you maximum flexibility to experiment with organization methods without committing to a bound format.
For digital natives transitioning to analog, consider a hybrid approach: use a digital tool for daily capture and a physical book for your most important, curated entries.
What to Include
Remember, there are no rules about what "counts" for your commonplace book! Some ideas to get you started:
Quotes that make you think: Not just pretty sayings, but ideas that challenge or inspire you
Questions that intrigue you: Sometimes, the questions are more valuable than the answers
Connections between seemingly unrelated ideas: These are often where the most interesting insights emerge
Practical information you want to remember: Recipes, book recommendations, gift ideas
Personal observations and reflections: Your own thoughts are just as valuable as anyone else's
Visual elements: Sketches, doodles, pressed flowers, ticket stubs: anything that captures a moment or idea
Organization Strategies
Start loosely and let your system evolve organically. Some approaches to consider:
Simple chronological: Write things down as you encounter them. Use your index to locate items quickly.
Broad categories: Maybe "Quotes," "Ideas," "Practical Stuff," and "Random Thoughts." You can always subdivide later.
By source: Dedicate sections to different books, conversations, or experiences.
By project or interest: If you're working on specific projects or exploring particular interests, organize around those themes.
The key is to choose a system that feels natural to you and that you can maintain consistently. It's better to have a simple system you actually use than an elaborate system that intimidates you into paralysis!
The Tools of the Trade
While you don't need fancy equipment to start a commonplace book, having the right tools can make the experience more enjoyable and sustainable. Here are some considerations:
Writing Instruments
The pen makes the experience! A pen that flows smoothly and feels comfortable in your hand will make you want to write more. Consider:
Gel pens for smooth writing and vibrant colors
Fountain pens for a traditional feel and beautiful line variation
Fine-tip markers for headers and emphasis
Pencils, if you like the option to erase or prefer the tactile feel
Keep several writing instruments with your commonplace book so you're never stuck without a way to capture an idea.
Paper Quality
While you don't need the most expensive paper, choosing something that handles your preferred writing instruments well will make the experience much more pleasant. Consider:
Paper weight: Heavier paper (at least 70gsm) prevents bleed-through from most pens
Texture: Some people prefer smooth paper, others like a bit of tooth for pencil work
Size: Choose based on where and how you'll use your book most often
Analog - Digital Hybrid
Organizational Supplies
Depending on your chosen system, you might want:
Index card storage boxes for card-based systems
Tab dividers for sectioned notebooks
Colored pens or highlighters for categorization
Sticky tabs or flags for quick reference
Rulers or straightedges, if you like neat layouts
Remember, the goal is to support your practice, not to create obstacles. Start simple and add tools as you discover what works for your specific approach.
Building the Habit: Making It Stick
Starting a commonplace book is exciting, but maintaining one requires developing sustainable habits. Here are some strategies that have worked for countless practitioners:
Start Small and Consistent
Don't try to capture everything all at once! Begin by committing to writing down just one thing each day: a quote you encountered, an interesting conversation snippet, or a personal observation. This small daily practice builds the neural pathways that will support a larger habit over time.
Create Capture Rituals
Develop specific times and contexts for adding to your commonplace book. Many people find success with:
Morning pages: Start the day by writing down something you're thinking about
Evening reflection: End the day by capturing the most interesting thing you encountered
Reading sessions: Always have your commonplace book nearby when reading
Weekend reviews: Spend time each weekend organizing and reflecting on the week's entries
Connect to Existing Habits
Attach your commonplace book practice to habits you already have consistently. If you always drink coffee while reading the morning news, keep your book next to your coffee mug. If you have a regular commute, consider carrying your book to capture thoughts during your travel time.
The Ripple Effects: How Commonplace Books Change Your Thinking
Once you've been keeping a commonplace book for a while, you'll likely notice some interesting changes in how you think and learn:
Enhanced Attention
Knowing that you have a system for capturing interesting ideas makes you more alert to them. You'll find yourself noticing connections, asking better questions, and engaging more deeply with the world around you.
Improved Memory
The act of writing something down by hand creates multiple pathways to memory: visual, kinesthetic, and semantic. You'll often find that you remember things better even without referring back to your notes.
Creative Connections
As your collection grows, you'll start noticing patterns and connections you never would have seen otherwise. Ideas from different contexts will combine in unexpected ways, leading to insights and creative breakthroughs.
Intellectual Confidence
Having a record of your learning journey builds confidence in your own thinking. You can see how your ideas have developed over time and trust your ability to synthesize and create new knowledge.
Preserving Your Legacy: The Long View
One of the most beautiful aspects of keeping a physical commonplace book is that you're creating a lasting artifact of your intellectual journey. Unlike digital files, which may become inaccessible over time, your handwritten books will remain readable for generations.
Consider the scholars who have gained invaluable insights into historical figures by studying their commonplace books: from Darwin's notebooks to Einstein's jottings. Your book might someday provide similar insights to future researchers, family members, or simply to an older version of yourself looking back on your younger thinking.
This long-term perspective can also influence what you choose to include. Ask yourself: "What would I want someone to know about how I thought about the world during this period of my life?"
The Community Aspect: Sharing and Learning
While commonplace books are inherently personal, there's a wonderful community of practitioners who share techniques, inspiration, and encouragement. Consider:
Local journaling groups or book clubs where members share their commonplace book practices
Online communities dedicated to analog note-taking and knowledge management
Workshops or classes on bookbinding, calligraphy, or organizational systems
Museum exhibitions featuring historical commonplace books and notebooks
At Forage With Me Books, we love connecting with fellow knowledge foragers and learning enthusiasts. There's something magical about discovering how different people approach the same fundamental challenge of organizing and preserving ideas.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
Let's address some obstacles that new commonplace book keepers often encounter:
"I Don't Have Anything Interesting to Write Down"
This feeling is completely normal! Start by lowering your standards: not every entry needs to be profound. A recipe you want to remember, a word you looked up, or a random thought you had while walking are all valid entries. Over time, you'll develop a better sense of what's worth capturing.
"My Handwriting Is Terrible"
Your commonplace book is for you, not for public display! Messy handwriting that you can read is perfectly fine. If legibility is truly a concern, consider practicing with different pens or writing styles, but don't let this prevent you from starting.
"I Keep Forgetting to Use It"
This is a habit-building challenge, not a character flaw! Try keeping your book in a place where you'll see it regularly, setting daily reminders on your phone, or associating it with an existing habit like morning coffee or bedtime reading.
"I Can't Decide How to Organize It"
Start with the simplest possible organization (or no organization at all) and let your system evolve naturally. Many successful commonplace books began as chaotic collections that gradually developed more sophisticated organizational schemes.
The world of commonplace books is rich, varied, and deeply rewarding. Whether you choose a traditional bound book, a modern Zettelkasten system, or something entirely your own, you're joining a centuries-old tradition of curious minds who understand that true learning happens when we actively engage with ideas rather than passively consuming them.
As you embark on this journey, remember that there's no "right" way to keep a commonplace book: only the way that works for you. Start simple, be patient with yourself, and trust that the practice will develop its own momentum over time. The most important thing is to begin, knowing that each entry is a small step in your ongoing conversation with the world of ideas.
So grab a notebook, find a pen that feels good in your hand, and start capturing the fascinating thoughts and discoveries that surround you every day. Your future self will thank you for creating this treasure trove of wisdom, and who knows? You might just find that your commonplace book becomes one of your most treasured possessions: a true companion in your lifelong journey of learning and discovery.
Happy foraging for knowledge, and remember: every great idea started with someone curious enough to write it down!
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