(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)
When I first opened the Kokuyo Systemic Cover Notebook up and started exploring its features, it reminded me of the times when my kids would bring me their transformer robots and ask me to make them back into cars. What goes where? Are there three arms? Sorry, kid, Bumblebee wants to stay a robot forever. But after working with it and seeing all the cool stuff it can do? Now I'm a fan.
The cover is a tri-fold design, and each of its thirds is full of features, so I think it makes the most sense to describe it from left to right. The first third is the piece that forms the front cover. on the front it has a canvas pocket over the faux leather that's big enough to hold a small notebook or some pens or papers. Inside that flap is a flexible plastic sheet split into two parts. This can be used as a folder for papers, or as a sleeve to insert an A5 notebook cover behind, or, thanks to the split, a sleeve to fit a top-bound notepad.
At the fold between the first and second parts, there is a double-ribbon bookmark. One can be used for the left notebook, and one can be used for another notebook that can be inserted into the sleeve that's in the middle section. The middle section forms the back of the cover itself. On the outside, it has another canvas pocket just like the front does. Inside, it has a canvas sleeve for notebooks or papers. And stitched on top of that pocket are three smaller card-slot pockets.
The final third of the cover is a plastic sleeve, where the Kokuyo A5 Twin Ring notebook fits. The cover comes with one notebook, but refills can also be purchased. I'll review the notebook another day because it's also full of unique features worth talking about at length. Other A5 notebooks would also fit in this space, and because this sleeve is also split, a top-bound notebook would work as well. This plastic sleeve also has a card slot and ribbon bookmark to use in that notebook. On the right side is an elastic pen loop. When all is folded up together, it can be secured with an elastic band that stretches around from the back of the cover.
You can fit a lot of notebooks in this bad boy (slaps hand on Kokuyo Systemic Cover). And that is my love language. I have five notebooks in mine right now, and that's not counting the small sticky note pads that are tucked away in the pockets. Granted, all of them are slim books. I was, however, able to fit my Seven Seas Writer in the right-hand side, and still keep a slim Midori and Field Notes in the other two spots, and a Field Notes Dime Novel edition in the front pocket. It's stuffed, and I can't use the smaller interior pockets, but it fits. I also managed to fit three Leuchtturm softcover notebooks, which also works as long as you don't plan to use the small pockets. It's full of notebooks AND surprises.
The last surprise is that it's only $25. I think it would be great for work and even better for students. It works perfectly for my writing, too, as my everyday writing uses a three-notebook system. It comes in several muted, professional colors. But the plastic sleeves are perfect for placing stickers, if professional isn't your vibe. Whatever your purpose, this transformer of notebook systems can almost certainly meet your needs.
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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