(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 her latest book, Root Rot, is now available for pre-order!)
A new year has found us again, and I'm doing that thing where I look back on the long stretch of the previous year, wonder where the time went, and marvel at everything that happened. 2023 was an overwhelming year for me. Graduating, turning 40, cleaning out my Grandmother's house, publishing a book, getting a fancy new job. I think it's safe to say that this past year was my busiest yet. And this year, more than ever, I relied heavily on my stationery to see me through. And while the world tested me, I tested my tools. I didn't review everything I used, and I didn't end up using everything I reviewed, but here are the things that I did review that were among my favorites this year.
Ink:
Pennonia Strigoi was my favorite new ink I reviewed this year. The amazing color and unique composition made this an absolute standout in a year where there were gallons of excellent new inks to be tried. The clay-like sediment does make this one a little more high-maintenance, but aren't we all, sometimes?
Paper:
The Traveler's Company Notebook Passport size was my desk away from home this year, and I was often away from home. While this system definitely works better for me on the road, being on the road is when I'm most in need of a good system. The endless ways it can be customized and adapted gave it the flexibility I needed to go from banquet halls to beaches.
Non-Fountain pen:
The CW&T Pen Type-B might be my most-used stationery item this year. I reviewed it in March and it has gone with me literally everywhere since I received it. We're approaching one year of daily carry for this pen, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. There's just something about this pen. Practically, it's not the obvious choice. It's super heavy, has a ridiculous sleeve cap, and doesn't technically function any better than many smaller, more normal pens. But it makes me happy, so along it comes, every day.
Accessory:
The Traveler's Company Brass Clip has likewise come everywhere with me since I opened the package. Maybe I just like brass? Possible. But I also really like this clip, and I fully didn't expect to. It's bulky! And heavy! But it works so well, and it keeps all my wee slips of paper clipped into my notebooks so nothing goes missing. Even after I shelved my Traveler's Notebook, post-travels, I moved this clip into the notebook I continue to use. And I'll keep doing that forever, because it's brilliant.
Fountain pen:
Okay, look. We can all agree that it's pretty much impossible to pick one favorite fountain pen in a year of amazing fountain pens, right? Right. I'd be hard pressed to limit myself to a list of five favorites. So how do I pick the standout? Well, it's the one that made me smile the most as I scrolled through this past year's reviews, which means it's the BENU Skull and Roses. It's not my year's most used, or the fanciest. But I just can't stop myself from grinning when I look at it. It's delightful.
There were also a number of things I purchased and didn't review that have been essentials, like a Plotter Bible-Size that has been my commonplace book for several months now, and the Plotter leather pen roll. I'll save my 2024 setup for another post, but it's safe to say that this will be another year of leaning heavily on my tools for survival. And I'm looking forward to it.
