Sometimes I try to break out of my Japanese paper rut and pick up something a little different. The cover on this cased-in book is a paste paper by Claire Maziarcyzk, purchased from Talas (it’s the “Stainless Graphite”). A bit of an indulgence at $12.25 for an 18-1/2″ x 24-1/2″ sheet (only enough for one book plus some scraps) but handsome. One of my coworkers once lamented the lack of “man-papers” in my repertoire and this fits the bill.

Finished size about 6-1/2″ wide by 9-3/4″ high; 160 pages in French Paper Co. Madero Beach Speckletone text (70 lb). End sheets are the lovely Hannemühle Bugra I bought last fall.

A simple book can be as enjoyable as a complex one. This pocket-sized, pamphlet-stitched jotter uses a strategically cut piece of a damaged Jay Ryan poster for the cover. It took all of 15 minutes to make (thanks to my Kutrimmer). Just as nice as a small Moleskine Cahier, if not quite as sturdy, and it makes me smile whenever I look at it.