I wouldn’t call myself a writer, which is ironic considering I decided to start a blog. But we can’t all be Agatha Christie; some of us trudge around in the swamp of mediocrity and call ourselves “content creators.” Still, I have my little artistic habits: collecting hedonistic objects like chaise lounges, good whiskey, and leather-bound notebooks I will absolutely fill with nonsense.

And that’s how I ended up spiraling back into the world of traveler’s notebooks.

Years ago, I discovered the cult that is the Traveler’s Notebook—first Midori, then The Traveler’s Company. One innocent YouTube setup video turned into a multi-year dependency on planner ecosystem content. I stuck with a passport size forever and still retain one for personal planning, but once I launched this blog, I needed something bigger.

So I dove into the chaotic abyss of leather notebook brands, comparing options from Midori, Louis Carmen, and other traveler’s notebook alternatives until Paper Republic caught my eye.

The Case for Paper Republic

Paper Republic launched in 2012, but at that point I was too busy testing Filofaxes and Traveler’s notebooks to notice. When I finally went hunting for a new cover, their name came up again and again: apparently cheaper than Louis Carmen, sturdier leather, faster fulfillment, and actual color options beyond “brown” and “darker brown.”

Paper Republic also offers larger sizes and compendiums with built-in pockets, but I’m a selective minimalist (and I didn’t quite have the le capital to splurge on the le portfolio). So I went with the Grand Voyager, which is essentially a very beautiful leather flap. I desperately wanted their Bordeaux cover, but it was sold out, so I went with Venezia, allegedly inspired by Venice. I’m not exactly a world traveler (pauper’s wallet, champagne taste), but a compelling backstory never hurts.

And then, of course, the customization. Embossed letters in gold foil. My blog name. My pet project. My precious.

Obviously, I caved.

Paper Republic Shipping:

Was the Expedited Option Worth It?

I paid for expedited shipping for two reasons:
A) I’m impatient.
B) I’m… extremely impatient.

Even with customization, my notebook was carved, stamped, packed, kissed by angels, and launched toward the U.S. within a day. I cannot complain. Getting a package from across the globe for an extra twenty bucks was worth the expense.

First Impressions

What followed was a vicious obsession as I refreshed FedEx tracking hourly. When the package finally arrived, I carried it off to a dark corner so I could enjoy the unboxing alone, like it was contraband. Which, frankly, it might as well have been, because the second I opened it I was nose-first in the leather like Scarface meeting his mountain.

Leather does things to me. The feel, the divine smell— it makes me feral. Paper Republic’s leather is genuinely fantastic: thick, smooth, no fraying, and the scent is intoxicating. Venezia is less purple than the product photos, more of a brown-leaning wine tone, which I actually love. The corners aren’t rounded, which might be a dealbreaker for some, but personally I don’t care. My standards are high but also strangely flexible.

It came with a blank insert, which I will, naturally, hoard like rare stationery until I find it three years from now in a drawer. I make my own scarcity. It’s allegedly designed for two inserts, but if you think that stopped me, you don’t know planner addicts. I currently have four wedged inside. This is where one of the main cons surfaces: it’s not actually big enough for a true A5. To be fair, Paper Republic never pretends it is; they call it “XL,” probably because their whole ecosystem runs on their proprietary refill size. Some people might find that inconvenient. I find the overstuffed chaos kind of charming.    

The Price

So… is it worth the eighty-five dollars I parted with? Honestly, it depends.

I recently bought a similar cover from an Amazon vendor in forest green for work. The average person probably wouldn’t see a big difference; both are vegetable-tanned, both smell great, both function the same. But the budget option has a little fraying and just doesn’t feel as refined. Not bad, just… not Paper Republic.

I’ve never held a Louis Carmen, but the idea of spending $130+ on a leather rectangle makes me want to punch a Frenchman. So for me, Paper Republic sits nicely in the “luxury, but not regrettable” category. If you’re new to traveler’s systems, the price may make your stomach lurch, but if you’ve already fallen into the leather cult… you get it.

Lasting Impressions

I’ve already been reaching for this daily, inventing excuses to pull it out and get lost in its aura. The thing about notebooks like this is that they’re experiential; you’re not just writing, you’re soothing yourself with something real. Paper and pen will always trump the vacant swipe of a digital screen, and there’s a particular calm in that ritual no app can imitate. It may not make me a writer, but it makes me feel like one. I’ll gladly pay for the delusion.