20 Best Notebooks For Writing, Planning, Drawing — And More!

Whether doing schoolwork, keeping a journal, or plotting tasks and to-do lists, notebooks are an important accessory to always have by your side. Where else would you keep all your thoughts and writing?  

Of course, notebooks come in all sorts of forms and styles, from college bound composition books to those that are a lot more fancy. But the best notebooks all do the same job — it all depends on what you're looking for.

1. Katie Kime Journal

Katie Kime’s perfectly bound journals are designed with high-quality paper with dotted blank pages in fun and colorful prints to show off your personality. Prints include everything from banana leaves to geometric patterns, and everything in-between. All journals can also be personalized.

(Katie Kime, $14)

RELATED: 5 Ways To Get Organized (When Your Life Feels Out Of Control)

2. Anthropologie Lena Journals (set of 3)

Keep your important thoughts, stories and lists organized in these 64-page notebooks with pretty floral-printed covers.

(Nordstrom, $16)

3. Montblanc Lined Notebook

Chrome-tanned Italian Saffiano calfskin enriches a handsome notebook featuring lined, watermarked pages and a built-in ribbon bookmark.

(Bloomingdale's, $68)

4. WMS & Co Notebooks (set of 2)

Understated yet polished, these sleek little notebooks are perfectly sized for purses or pockets, so it's easy to jot something down in a flash.

(Nordstrom, $16)

5. Rocketbook Everlast Smart Reusable Notebook

No more wasting paper! This environmentally-friendly 32-page dotted grid notebook can be used endlessly by wiping clean with a damp cloth.

(Walmart, $31.97)

6. Bangma Wide Ruled Hardcover Notebook Journal

Touched comfortably, the sturdy hard cover protects your art for years. The elastic pen loop is also a great feature.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

7. 'Design Your Own' Custom Spiral Notebook 

Accessorize while you organize with these handmade spiral notebooks. The front and back covers are customizable with your images and text, and the notebook covers are laminated to ensure durability. Choose from 3 notebook styles, 6 different spiral colors and 8 page design options.

(Zazzle, $16.95)

8. Le Carnet Magnetic Binding Refillable Notebook

This sleek, refillable notebook has a magnetic binding that opens 180 degrees for a smooth, uninterrupted writing surface and includes two linen-paper refill packs.

(Nordstrom, $395)

9. Ezra Arthur Small Leather Notebook

Meeting notes, to-do lists, journal entries and doodles all await inside this hand-stitched and hand-bound leather notebook.

(Nordstrom, $32)

10. Kate Spade 'I Do' Notebooks (set of 3)

Use these notebooks for lists, schedules and organization before the big day, but don't forget to take a moment to put down your thoughts, dreams and hopes, too.

(Nordstrom, $32)

RELATED: 6 Ways To Organize Your Life & Clear Mental Clutter That Help Relieve Stress

11. SNERD Fade Journal

A tiny dot grid can straighten your writing or frame your doodling on every page of this ombré-cover journal crafted from recycled paper and vegetable ink.

(Nordstrom, $22)

12. Life Is Wonderful Set

This charming pair combines a letter set that lets you stay connected with loved ones and a gratitude journal that helps you focus on the positive things.

(Nordstrom, $44.95)

13. TUMI Leather Letter Pad

Rich calfskin construction defines a versatile letter pad with smart utility.

(Nordstrom, $245)

14. Ban.do Going Places Gift Set

For the constant traveler or creative, this mug, notebook and pen trio set will suit their active life and mind in pretty, whimsical style.

(Nordstrom, $54)

15. Lila Unlined Notebook

This minimalist and classic notebook is a wonderful multi-purpose journal for sketching, jotting down thoughts, and writing notes. The notebook is made with flexible matte laminated softback cover, which helps repel liquids.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

16. Moleskine Classic Notebook

Hold writing projects and notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band and inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover and thick ivory paper pages are perfect for writing with fountain pens.

(Target, $14.99)

17. Jotter Mini Notebooks for Bullet Journaling

Three different mini notebooks in hues of blue, coral, and violet agate (a variegated form of quartz). Attractive agate design gleams with gold foil stamping. The interior of each notebook features a dot-grid pattern for flexibility of use.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

18. Penelope Pewter Marble Notebook 

This notebook has a cool marble cover with plenty of space for taking notes on college-lined pages.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

19. Kawaii Kitty Cat Wide Ruled Lined Journal

This paperback journal with matte cover and wide-ruled lined paper has a cover of cats. How cute!

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

20. Be Still Watercolor Hardcover Wirebound Journal

This large hardcover journal with wire binding features a floral wreath in a watercolor design against a spot varnished background with subtly watermarked Scripture from Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

RELATED: How To Successfully Declutter Your Home Using Marie Kondo's KonMari Method

Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.