I've been looking at the Levenger Rhodia Circa Notebook for some time, and finally went with a Junior, as it seemed to be a handbag-friendly size. The entire assembly is fun, with larger, clear front and back covers that keep the orange Rhodia cover from becoming worn out while also making the notebook a bit more sturdy. It's not a hard cover journal by any means, but it's a great-looking notebook that stands out.
The Junior Circa has lots of different numbers: the outer, clear cover measures 8.75 inches long by 6.5 inches wide (measuring from the outside of the disc so as to have a truer measure of width). The paper 8.5 by 5.5, basically a nice sized journal. The left-hand blank annotation column measures 1.25 inches wide, so you have a lot of room for additional notes or doodles or whatever you want to add to your original musings.
The paper is fantastic, the Rhodia 90gsm satiny-smooth paper that's fountain pen friendly but not overly bright white. I like the pale violet lines, especially the shadow effect at the top where you can write in headers and dates (or whatever you want). The side column is a fantastic addition, utilizing the "Cornell" notetaking method for annotation. I like to doodle in the column, but also find it helpful when I've left out something or haven't made my thought clear and need to work on it a bit more.
I love the way these discs work, keeping the notepaper in place firmly but not rigidly. The paper doesn't come out easily, but actually pulls out in a smooth, gliding motion without any ripping or shredding of edges. So there are no unsightly tears on the pages, which can be moved around or tossed out.
Finally, the back cover carries the Levenger logo with a green tree. While it's not a pine tree, it's a great design detail that reminds you of the company without any blaring commercialism. This combines Rhodia's great quality and well-known orange color with Levenger's ingenuity, and I've been thrilled by the way both come together to make this a fantastic notebook.
Looks like one to get. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI got a Junior Circa a couple of months ago and really like it. Almost got the Rhodia one, but didn't like the way it fit the cover. The clerk at Levenger said they didn't know why the paper wasn't the same size as the regular Junior paper. If they change that, I might buy one. As you wrote, the Rhodia paper is nice!
ReplyDeleteI'm almost jealous you can visit Levenger, what a treat that must be! I didn't realize the paper wasn't the same size for the Rhodia as for the regular Circa notebooks, I'll have to keep that in mind. I am thinking of investing in one of the paper punches, which would let me make dotPad filler sheets. :)
ReplyDeleteI go to the one in Boston a couple of times a year. The regular Junior paper is a little wider--about half an inch from the edge of the cover, while the Rhodia is more like 3/4 of an inch (as I recall).
ReplyDeleteStaples now cares a line of notbooks and pages very similar to the Circa ones. Check them out I like them and are cheaper and easier to find. They fit the same Circa disks.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a circa Rhodia binder a little while ago and dig on the idea that it's a three-ring binder without the weak holes that always rip after a good page-turn or two.
ReplyDeleteI also grabbed a Staples Arc junior size (exactly the same dimensions as the circa one) which is the perfect size for quick notes and of course, ink samples.
Now I will have to get some more paper for it as the Arc paper - while fp-friendly - isn't exactly Clairefontaine 80gsm; then again, the regular Levenger paper isn't even on the same tier.
-Av