The Commonplace Book: Should We Bring it Back?
Hello Lovely Readers! I hope everyone is doing well during this cold winter season. I write this while anticipating major snow and ice, the kind that sends everyone to the store for bread, milk, and eggs. No one knows exactly how long the storm and its after effects will linger yet I am excited for the snow. I have always felt snow was magical and even more so now sharing it with my 2.5 year old. I pray everyone stays healthy and warm (after some sledding of course).
*Note: As I am finishing and editing this article, the storm arrived and was brutal! Lots of snow and ice.
We have just left January, the month of new goals and resolutions.One resolution I am still working to integrate into my daily life, and is extremely popular on the internet, is to go more ‘analog’. This means bringing every day tasks and luxuries away from screens and back to paper. Examples include paper calendars, writing grocery lists, and hobbies not involving a screen. I am glad there is this return to hand written things, as I particularly love handwriting and cursive over typing. Yes, I know I am a blogger but the idea of going analog is not necessarily going cold turkey- it can be, but for most it is about balance and living more of one’s life offline. In this desire to lessen screen time, I have seen the idea of a commonplace book pop up on social media. Truth be told, I had never heard of this. The more I read into it, the more fascinated I became with it and wanted to share my findings with all of you!
“Let us take down one of those old notebooks which we have all, at one time or another, had a passion for beginning…. Here we have written down the names of great writers in their order of merit; here we have copied out fine passages from the classics; here are lists of books to be read; and here, most interesting of all, lists of books that have actually been read, as the reader testifies with some youthful vanity by a dash of red ink”. — Virginia Woolf, from ‘Hours in a Library’
What is a Commonplace Book?
A commonplace book is a place to record and organize information that one finds important. Think of a database which one can refer back to when information is needed. Evidence of the earliest commonplace books can be found in ancient Greece, where an assortment of arguments for court and political meetings were kept for easy reference. Various forms of the commonplace books can historically be found all over the world, including Rome, China, Japan, Poland, and Lithuania. These books gained their biggest popularity in the 19th century; this was due largely to the explosion of information made available by the printing press and industrialization. These books were not only kept by wealthy gentlemen- women barred from formal education also kept them filled with quotes, proverbs, recipes, house keeping advice,etc. These books give an excellent look at the lives of ordinary people.
Just to be clear, commonplace books are NOT the same as a diary. Diaries focus more on recording personal events/experiences that allow for both record and reflection. Commonplace books are more focused on recording facts and information for future reference in an organized manner rather than reflection.
Writers and the Commonplace Book
By the 17th century, universities like Oxford were teaching how to keep commonplace books. This was where John Locke encountered the idea and later went on to write a treatise (A New Method on Making Commonplace Books)on how to best keep and organize them, which became the standard for decades. Throughout history, many authors have kept commonplace books. The list includes Francis Bacon, John Milton, Mark Twain, EM Forester, Aldous Huxley, HP Lovecraft, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreou, Sei Shonagan, and Virginia Woolf. Famous leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte also kept such books.
How to Keep a Commonplace Book
There is no one ‘right way’ to keep a commonplace book. Typically, it is done in written form either through a journal or notecards, however one could use apps or other online document.The common factor is organization. Information is not just copied but organized into sections, often including page numbers and a table of contents. This allows for easy reference. The great thing about commonplace books is the possibilities are endless for what information to keep. Information can include quotes, proverbs, recipes, research notes, lists and more.
In the title, I asked the question if we should promote the commonplace book in today’s world; I think the answer is a resounding YES. We are constantly bombarded with information, so much so that we may read or hear something but forget about it soon after. As a society we need to not only fact check information but keep important information close at hand for easy reference.
After learning more about the history and use of commonplace books, I have started one myself! So far, I have recorded informational charts about scripture, vocabulary lists for words I learn while reading, research for the blog, and book lists and challenges. I am excited to continue expanding my commonplace book as a way to reference true information.
What do you think? Would you start a commonplace book? Do you think they are relevant or not? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Happy Reading!
Lady Bookish
PS I have an exciting announcement- I have created an email just for the blog! If you want to send in post requests, questions, book recommendations, or just to say hi, you can email me at ladybookishblog@gmail.com and I will respond as soon as I can. Cannot wait to hear from you!
Sources:
https://www.mrsblackwell.com/journal/introduction-to-the-commonplace-book
https://fortelabs.com/blog/commonplace-books-creative-note-taking-through-history/
https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-a-commonplace-book/
https://ryanholiday.net/how-and-why-to-keep-a-commonplace-book/
https://mirandasnotebook.com/blog/how-to-start-a-commonplace-book
https://circeinstitute.org/blog/how-to-make-a-commonplace-book/
https://circeinstitute.org/blog/how-to-make-a-commonplace-book/
https://www.sambeckbessinger.com/commonplace-books/
https://notebookofghosts.com/2018/02/25/a-brief-guide-to-keeping-a-commonplace-book/