I’ve been waiting for over a year to bring you today’s conversation and episode. That’s right. It was in the fall of last year that I got word on X about a new book coming out, all about the history of The Notebook.

It indeed came out last fall…but only in the UK. It wasn’t slated to come out in the US until today, November 12th.

Turns out, it actually ended up releasing in the US a couple of months ago, an update that I missed. But no matter. I’m still “on schedule” as far as I’m concerned. 😉

And I’m thrilled and geeking out about an historical look at the journey the notebook has taken these last 800 years.

The author of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, Roland Allen, reveals the notebook’s surprising and profound influence. Our powerful connection with our notebooks matters, he says. In an age of AI and digital overload, the simple act of moving a pen across a blank pae can boost our creativity and mood—and continues to transform our ideas.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Roland and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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In today’s episode, I ask Roland about:

• How commonplace books have shaped personal learning and intellectual engagement
• What aspects of a person’s notebook entries can provide insights into their personality or cognitive patterns
• How notebooks function as an extension of the mind
• And lots more!

Order Roland’s Book

You can order your copy of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper right now!

Consider Ordering My Book Too!

Purchase a copy of my new book (written with Jesse Wisnewski) Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career. There, you can also download the introduction and first chapter for free!

Note-Making Mastery Cohort AND the Read to Lead Community

Note-Making Mastery Cohort is now available as a self-paced course! Check it out.

Also, consider giving ReadtoLead+ a try free for two weeks!

Roland in Action

Check Out These Additional Resources

Grab a copy of Roland’s book now.

Check out this website for more from Roland.

Connect with Roland personally on LinkedIn and X.

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