What's inside the commonplace book
- Topic Index
- Commonplace Entry
- Quote Collection
- Books Read
- Words I Learned
- Free Notes
- Notes
See every page
All 11 pages of the US Letter version, exactly as they print. Tap a page to see it larger.
- 1. Cover
- 2. This Book Belongs To
- 3. Contents
- 4. Topic Index
- 5. Commonplace Entry
- 6. Quote Collection
- 7. Books Read
- 8. Words I Learned
- 9. Free Notes
- 10. Notes
- 11. Thank you page
Who this commonplace book is for
This commonplace book is for readers, writers, students and lifelong learners who want one place to keep the quotes, ideas and words that move them. It suits book lovers who underline everything, writers collecting material for future work, and anyone who has forgotten a brilliant line they once read. The tradition of keeping a commonplace book goes back centuries, and building your own creates a personal library of wisdom you can return to for years.
How to use your commonplace book
Number each page and add topics to the index as you go, so entries are easy to find later. Use the entry pages for passages, ideas and your own thoughts about them. Collect favorite lines on the quotes page with the author and source. Keep a running list of books read and books to read. Record new and beautiful words with their meanings on the words page, and use the notes pages for anything that doesn't fit elsewhere.
Formats included
A4 PDF
For printing in most of the world (210 × 297 mm).
US Letter PDF
For printing in the US and Canada (8.5 × 11 in).
Digital PDF
Hyperlinked tabs for tablets and PDF annotation apps.
Ready to start?
Free downloadCommonplace Book questions
What is a commonplace book?
A personal collection of quotes, ideas and notes gathered from reading and life. Other pages in the 11-page commonplace book include "Topic Index", "Commonplace Entry" and "Quote Collection", so related notes stay together. Every page is undated, so you can start any day and reprint a page whenever it fills up.
Is there an index?
Yes. It helps you find entries by topic. Look for the "Topic Index" page in the 11-page commonplace book. Download it free, print only the pages you need and add more copies of any page later. Print the A4 or US Letter PDF as often as you need, or write in the digital version on a tablet.
Can I log books I have read?
Yes. Look for the "Books Read" page in the 11-page commonplace book. Print the A4 or US Letter PDF as often as you need, or write in the digital version on a tablet. Every page is undated, so you can start any day and reprint a page whenever it fills up.
Is the Commonplace Book really free?
Yes, the Commonplace Book is completely free for personal use. Download the 11-page PDF without an account or email address, print it at home as often as you like and share the page link with friends. FolarraStudio is free to use. In the future, a few clearly labeled ads may help keep it free.
What size is the Commonplace Book?
The Commonplace Book comes in A4 (210 x 297 mm) and US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches), plus a hyperlinked digital PDF for tablets. Choose the file that matches the paper in your printer and print at Actual size or 100%, so nothing is cut off. Both paper sizes have the same 11 pages.
