Decomposition College Spiral Bound Notebook Review

Sometimes the best note-taking tool has a coastline on the cover.

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Bottom line: The Big Sur Coilbound Decomposition Book is a wink and a nod to the composition books of our youth, in a college-ruled spiral with 160 pages. The cover is the draw: a Big Sur coastline scene that’s more fun to open than a plain pad. It’s printed in the USA with soy ink on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. The drawbacks are a price above any drugstore notebook and, per our reviewer, no perforations on the pages. It’s for writers and students who still reach for freehand notes when a meeting or a lecture really matters.

Scribbright rating: 4.5 out of 5

→ See all notebooks reviewed at Scribbright.

A wink and a nod to the composition book

A wink and a nod to the composition books of our youth in high school and college! These are like the notebooks that are not quite standard 8.5 x 11 paper, with pages meant to probably be kept IN the notebook as…well, notes? They are college-ruled and lined. But, it’s the covers that pull you in; so many different designs! There is not one thing you could be cogitating about that one of these covers wouldn’t somehow reflect.

There always comes a time when actually writing freehand (ie: not typing) makes more sense. Maybe it helps you think; or you just get stuck without your devices (heavens to Betsey!)? When you’re in that place of real note-taking. You want and need to learn and notes are a part of the experience. These are the notebooks for you!

Why I still reach for a notebook

I personally am in the camp that definitely feels that AI is making us dumber. I think we can all agree there are tasks that we begrudgingly admit we have AI help us with on a regular basis. Those AI note-takers come to mind as a new tool that feels like it’s always been with us, even though it hasn’t. Pretty benign and convenient, right?

And, yet, I still find myself reaching for a notebook, especially in a meeting when there’s discussion back and forth. If I don’t at least attempt to write some of the caveats down, I just will not remember what went on. And, yes, the AI note-taker is a great help. But, as I’m writing the notes, I start to FEEL what the important dimensions of the meeting are about. My next action after the meeting is more clear. Essentially, when I don’t take notes, I’m just not as engaged and my brain sort of leaves the room (IE: I get a little dumber).

It’s about the covers

Can I just list them out? Doughnuts, rabbits & purple cabbages, woodland creatures, detailed scenes of camping, the cosmos with all their constellation names and star compositions listed, sea animals, greek motifs, the Everglades, gnomes, Big Sur, hummingbirds, jellyfish, flowers, single color, multi-color, brownstones, kittens in space, bound, spiral…shall I go on?

The genius thing about these covers is that they’re so detailed and whimsical, and so varied in their designs, there will be one that floats your boat no matter who you are. One of them will resonate and it’s genius how somehow that invariably adds some wind to your sails. In using this less than plain notebook you have aimed your arrow and are truly more focused on your subject. It is part of what you’re purchasing. They’re magic and it will show in the end result. It sends a message to your brain: we came to play.

→ Grab the Big Sur Coilbound Decomposition Book on Amazon

All the extras

The notebooks (amazingly) are printed in the USA. That’s refreshing! They use soy ink to print the notebooks which means they are made from a renewable resource and the material is easier to recycle. The soybean oil also makes the inks brighter and more vibrant. The parent company of Decomposition books is Michael Roger, which is a 75-year-old company that is family run. No stock exchange crap, no board to make happy and no icky corporate behavior to have to justify.

Who it’s for

Frankly, I would say Decomposition Books are made for weirdos like me, which probably encompasses quite a few writers. I mean, that’s why you’re a writer, correct? A chronicler of the human condition? You didn’t become one because you’re like everyone else and just accept all the absurdities that seem to come down the cultural pike at an ever increasing speed, now are you?

Pros

• Beautiful covers, beautiful colors, great mixes of colors, more durable and ecologically sound soy ink that doesn’t smudge as easily as regular ink.
• The ink is also more vibrant.
• The books are printed in the USA, so they help create American jobs.
• The designs spread whimsical vibes that are more important than any of us want to admit, especially in these confusing and unprecedented times.
• You can choose from bound notebooks or spiral.

Cons

• There are no perforations on the pages of the bound versions (as with old Mead notebooks that I remember). So, those pages are not as useful to tear out of the book and hand in as an assignment, as in old school homework.
• The price point for the notebooks are going to be more expensive than an old drugstore version. To me this is part of the point. Their cachet lies somewhere between buying an actual book and the blandness of bulk writing materials or standard notebooks.

The verdict

I think we all know what I’m going to say: these notebooks are totally worth the money for the delight factor. They will make you want to do your job! If all you need is a piece of paper, look elsewhere. These notebooks are a treat for yourself to keep you buoyant and chugging along. Go gettum, campers!

Kiki Reef is a certified grief expert and has been a caregiving circle facilitator for almost ten years. She owns and runs MSMC (Michael Semer Marketing Consultancy) with her husband…you guessed it, Michael Semer. She wants you to know she wrote this review completely with her own little brain with no help from AI (or Agent Smith).

→ Add the Big Sur Decomposition Book to your cart on Amazon

FAQ

How many pages does the Big Sur Coilbound Decomposition Book have?

It has 160 pages, which is 80 sheets, with college-ruled lines.

What size is it?

It measures 7.5 x 9.75 inches, so it’s a little smaller than standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

Is the paper recycled?

Yes. The paper is 100% post-consumer waste recycled, and the book is printed with soy ink.

Where is it made?

It’s printed in the USA by Michael Roger Inc., the family-run company behind Decomposition Books.

Does Decomposition make these in bound as well as spiral?

Yes. Our reviewer notes you can choose from bound notebooks or spiral. This Big Sur version is the spiral (coilbound) edition.

Is a Decomposition Book worth more than a drugstore notebook?

Our reviewer says yes, for the delight factor. If all you need is a piece of paper, a cheaper pad will do.

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