Comparing the pros and cons of 10 different dot grid journals for use as a reading journal

I started planning for my reading journal by decided what type of layouts I could include (see the Part 1 video: • Planning the layouts t... ). Part 2 of the process is deciding which dot grid journal to use.
In this video I compare 10 different dot grid notebooks selected from my collection and discuss the pros and cons of each in terms of how they will cope with collage-style layouts, based on paper weight, cover type and shape.
I do have several other journals that I didn't include in this decision because I've set them aside specifically because I want to use them as future bullet journals.
Contents:
01:54 3 x 160gsm journals discussed together:
Scribble and Dot • Scribble & Dot value f...
SeQes • SeQes 2022 dot grid no...
Quirky Cup Collective • Sharpie proof Quirky C...
03:03 Emma Kate Co • Emma Kate Co dot grid ...
04:02 Paperblanks • The ultimate Paperblan...
04:54 Dingbats • Dingbats Earth Collect...
05:43 Leuchtturm1917 (hardcover and softcover) • Which is better? Leuch...
08:00 Kleid • Journal review of the ...
09:36 Caran d'Ache (no review yet)
10:37 Conclusion
Music purchased under commercial licence from Pond 5

[@TheConsultingReader]

This video comes at a perfect time. I’m currently on the hunt for my 2025 reading journal and I can’t decide between all the options. I’d love to go with a paperblanks but I fear that 120gsm pages (their thickest paper) are too thin as I want to do a lot of stamping and painting. I’m actually eyeing the Quirky Cup Collective Journal you have in your line up. And I’m of course thinking of investing in an A&O, a square one. I’d love my next reading journal to be square. I also don’t want to buy a bunch of different journals so I have to make a decision before purchasing 🙈

[@theusefuljournal]

I thought I'd replied to your comment! Stamping and painting would definitely be better on thicker paper 140gsm plus. The Quirky Cup Collective paper is amazing, and they also have a specific reading journal with prompts included for reviews, so it's worth checking out. They only have A5 size though. A square shape for my reading journal appeals to me as well. Archer & Olive have a range of square journals, and I think the size is perfect too. If you go A&O, please consider using my code TheUsefulJournal10 to get 10% off 💚. There's not many brands that do square journals - the one I showed in my video is Emma Kate Co, and I can't think of other brands that have them... Happy hunting!