Sturdy, Practical, Not Fancy
If you want a permanent or semi-permanent journal for any reason, but you don't want it to be covered in butterflies or skulls, this is a very nice, sturdy journal.  The paper is an ivory color, tending toward a bit yellow, and the markings are a medium rusty brown.  There is "Date  Page"  at the top of each page, which you can use or ignore, depending on how you want to use the journal.  It is lined, and the top and bottom lines are a little bit darker than the ones between, with tiny marks that can be used for paragraph or column/tab guides.<br /><br />The book doesn't lie completely flat when you open it, but it's still easy enough to write, but you might need to anchor the page with your wrist as you write.  The paper is matte so it accepts a variety of inks.<br /><br />This isn't the type of journal where you can rip out a page or two and expect it to go unnoticed, so if you use this to write nefarious plans that you don't want seen or reveal that you sneaked out 4 times this week, you're gonna have to swallow the whole book.<br /><br />The ribbon is a nice touch, but not quite nice enough.  It's quite thin, but it's also not quite long enough.  I want a ribbon I can pull out of the book and mark my new place without having to open to the old page, and this isn't long enough.  Still, it's a nice, sturdy book.  Whether it is a good value, you'll have to judge for yourself.  There is no current price listed at the time this review is being written.
Rating: 4 stars