STATIONERY ISLAND A5 Squared Notebook, Graph Paper Notebook with 120gsm Premium Thick Paper, 180 Pages Hardback Grid Notebook for Planning, Diary, Journaling

I have these in multiple colours and various numbers of pages per book. I think they are excellent value for money. They're really useful because the range of colours means it's very easy for me to spot which one I need, as I use them for a variety of purposes. The covers feel nice in your hands and they're practical too - spills and greasy finger marks just wipe off. They come with both an elastic band to hold them shut/mark your page and a ribbon page marker as well as a side pen holder. They are well made and sturdy, they don't come apart even when I have multiple pieces of paper tucked between the pages. They look nice on my bookshelves - a bonus for something so useful. I think my favourite thing about them is what a pleasure they are to write in. The paper has a lovely feel as the pen moves across it - smooth and easy - so I get more done because it's a pleasure to do. I give them to others as journals or to help them get organised with their studies too.

This A5 notebook is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a reliable, high-quality journal. The 120gsm paper is noticeably thick and smooth, making writing with gel pens, fineliners, and even some fountain pens a pleasure. Bleed-through and ghosting are minimal, which is a big plus for those who like to write on both sides of the page.The hardcover is sturdy and sleek, giving it a professional look while still being durable enough to carry around in a bag without getting damaged. It includes two ribbon bookmarks and an elastic closure, both of which add to its practicality for everyday use, whether for work, school, or personal journaling.With 180 lined pages, there’s plenty of room for note-taking, planning, or reflective writing. The binding lays fairly flat, which makes it easier to write all the way to the edges without the usual fight with the spine.Pros:• Premium 120gsm paper – thick, smooth, and mostly bleed-resistant• Strong hardcover and quality binding• Twin bookmarks and elastic band for easy organization• Clean, minimal design suitable for professional or personal useCons:• No page numbers (easy to add yourself, but worth noting)• Slight ghosting with very wet inks or markers• PU cover can smudge with fingerprints, but wipes clean easilyFinal Thoughts:This notebook punches well above its price. It’s a solid choice for students, professionals, and journal lovers alike. The paper quality, thoughtful features, and clean design make it ideal for everyday writing, planning, and creative thinking. A great all-rounder

I’ve been using the STATIONERY ISLAND A5 Unlined Notebook as a journal, and I absolutely love it. The hardcover is sturdy, and the colour is gorgeous—it really stands out. The 120gsm paper feels premium and thick, making it perfect for writing, planning, and journaling. It’s a joy to use with pens, pencils, and even markers.However, a quick note: the paper isn’t ideal for wet mediums like watercolour or ink washes. It can handle a bit of ink, but if you’re using very wet materials, you might notice some bleeding or buckling. So, stick to dry mediums for the best results.Overall, it’s a great notebook for anyone who loves to write or journal, just avoid the wet art supplies and you’ll be set. Highly recommend for dry use!

Lovely colour, good quality book with two ribbon markers, an elastic page holder and an envelope at the back. Very good value.

The pages are so soft, and velvety. I really like the squares, and they are the perfect size in my opinion. Stationery glides on the pages, and if you are using it to sketch in like I am, erasers rub off without leaving any marks or roughness. Good value for money also.

Excellent notebook. Writing is easy and does not bleed through the paper so both sides of the pages can be used, even with traditional ink pen. The pen glides smoothly over the page. The tab is handy for getting to the next empty page quickly. Handy size for handbag as well as backpack/satchel/briefcase.Looks smart and professional good for student or business person.

Paper quality is beautiful and it includes a storage pocket.Enjoy writing in a journal of this quality - would buy again.Sturdy. Great value for money.

Bleed throughI love everything about this journal but if you are using this for art, I warn you that alcohol markers do bleed through the page. I’ve tested highlighter, pen, pencil, gel pen and fine liner and all of these were fine for me. If you are using highlighter in this book then I recommend you use Zebra Mildliners if you have them as they sit perfectly on the paper with little to no bleed through.AppearanceThe colour in the images attached to this review is slightly lighter in real life and is accurate to the picture listed and description. The tassels are also correct in colour but did come slightly creased.. The entire journal came intact however and so far it has not broken. Another thing to note is that the pages are not a bright white and more of a pale yellow and if that is not what you are looking for I suggest you don’t buy this one in particular. The last journal that I bought was of a similar material and the spine did crease slightly overtime. But if that doesn’t bother you then I would definitely recommend this journal.MaterialThe material of this book is very smooth and not very textured which I find very pleasing and the paper is decently thick. The journal is not too heavy, or too light and the whole thing feels very sturdy. The elastic strap is flexible and doesn’t feel like it will break overtime.ConclusionThis is an incredible book for journaling and note taking etc and would definitely recommend it. I’m very happy with my purchase and would say it’s definitely worth the money and will probably buy it again in future.