I first got one of their journals as a gift. Even as an artist, I’ve never used up any journal in my life...until this one. Some things I love about them: blank unlined pages, spiral bound to easily fold over on themselves (good for laps!), reused old books as covers plus some pages from the books are included. I ordered this year for Christmas gifts, and unfortunately the package was stolen from my doorstep. They were so understanding, personal, and helpful. They even replaced my purchase, which was a customer service win! Thanks, Ex Libris Anonymous!

I discovered these journals when I coworker told me about them almost 8 years ago. Ive probably purchased a dozen of these books over the years, for myself and as wonderful gifts. Truly a unique and meaningful present to give someone. And the owner, Jacob, is extremely pleasant to work with and helped me find obscure books in the past that I wanted to give as a present. Truly remarkable customer service!

I love these books. They give me joy I like that fun older books get a new place in the world. I just bought five to give as gifts. I love to give them to kids. Journals with no lines are hard to find in my small little town. My boys like using them to draw pictures in and they are perfect for traveling as the book covers provide a solid surface. Thank you Jacob. I will be definitely be stopping by when I get to Portland again.

Really awesome company and great service. I was looking for a specific book they did not have on the website. Jacob told me he would look for it and I was expecting it to take a while because they have so many books. Within 24 hours he had found a copy and posted it on the site for me to buy. The journals are high quality from excellent people. Highly recommended.

I am so glad that I discovered this online store. The owner has a great sense of customer service and really made me feel as though I walked into a store instead of purchasing online. I love the concept of recycling and reusing books from the past. The concept preserves our past as well as saves the environment....awesome little company. I could not be happier with my purchase!

Found these guys while searching the web for a couple of nice journals to keep track of some milestones in our childrens lives - wasnt exactly what I was looking for at the time but when I saw the Hardy Boy versions thought they would be a great way/place to record some memories. My dad introduced me to the Hardy Boys when I was 8 or 9 as something from his childhood and while I suspect the stories were interesting to me at that point in my life, the lasting memory is tied with my dad.Wouldve liked the option of ordering lined paper (I didnt see this if it in fact is an option) given the intended use of these but overall they look great and am very happy with the purchase.

I made a big purchase from this store and the owner was extremely nice and helpful. The journals are very lovely and smell like old books just like the wonderful brick and mortar store. Some of the original pages are included to serve as the front and then as separators in the journal as well. It is a fantastic touch. The best!

I originally discovered Ex Libris at Renegade Craft Fairs store in Chicago. I love, love, love their journals, especially the ones made from vintage craft books. I love that the pages are unlined and that some of the original pages from the books are often interspersed among the blank pages. Theyre what I use to brainstorm DIY ideas. The unlined pages are the perfect canvas for it. :)

I could not be happier with this little company! The owner recycles old books that have HUGE character. This winning formula looks like this: 1 old book - pages + blank pages ÷ pages with cool pics + spiral binding = awesome journal! These journals have such character; they might have names of owners written inside or library stamps or even the library card. Ive already ordered several for myself and to give as gifts. The shipping is fast and so inexpensive. The owner is a delight and I find I am addicted to his books.

Im a nerd for nostalgia (who isnt?) and the daughter of a librarian... So you can imagine my delight at happening upon these fun little journals.I especially love reading the names and inscriptions scrawled inside the front covers and cant help feeling a kindred-spirit connection with the original books owners.Certainly a rare thing these days- the shop owner makes you feel like youre on a first-name basis, even states away. Thanks, Jacob!

This is the grrrrrrrreatest store in the entire world. I am a totally unbiased customer. I dont live anywhere near Portland, dont know the owner but think the books are beautiful and inspired. They make perfect gifts. The only problem is that youll want to keep them for yourself.Rosemary RogersNew York

Ex Libris Anonymous has only one drawback, and that is that I am tempted to buy hundreds of these wonderful journals made from vintage books. They make creative, personalized gifts for anyone who likes to write, draw, keep lists, watch birds, jot recipes, make notes about dreams, collect autographs, or just doodle.I love the way Jacob leaves some of the original pages from each book interspersed with the blank page in the spiral-bound journals. Without that little flair, I never would have known that a luna moth can smell another moth that is nearly a mile away. That was in my About Animals journal. I have a French Conversation book journal on the way, complete w/ a charming drawing of monsieur sporting a beret in front of the Tour Eiffel. Jacob also leaves original inscriptions and margin notes on some of the pages, giving tantalizing hints about the person who owned the book in its earlier incarnation.As someone who loves books, Im delighted to support a company that finds a new purpose for them, re-creating them so that they can be treasured all over again.

I first discovered these journals while I was an undergrad student in Minneapolis. There was a little art supply store that carried these, and once I found them, I never bought another kind of journal! Seven years later and many states away, I no longer had direct access to my old store, but discovered Ex Libris online. I asked for a specific book, and minutes later received a friendly, personalized email with my exact request (Jane Eyre). When I got the book/journal in the mail, I opened it up and gasped, because it was even more beautiful than I had hoped! Thanks for the years and memories, ELA. You have won yourself a devoted customer. :)

These journals are great!! I use them regularly to take notes and sketch during meetings - the sketching begins when the meeting becomes boring - which is almost immediately in most cases. They are super sturdy and the paper holds up well from the abuses of mechanical pencils.People are always intrigued by the journals, so I hand them the little info card that is typically bound behind the cover.My only request would be to try out some lined paper or a mix of lined and plain. But that might just be something for quirky note takers (sketchers) like myself.Keep up the fun work.Dean

Love this company and their products. Great gifts, wonderfully packaged and doting customer service. Who could ask for more.Get me my pen. I need to start journaling!

Sometimes I go to Ex Libris and find nothing that strikes my fancy. Other times, I need everything I see. This is the wonder of these beautifully spiral bound journals from salvaged books; there is always something new in the shop. From ancient history in the form of storybooks from my childhood to interesting and classic covers from someone elses treasure, with the eclectic selection of titles that change regularly. Ive also found out that if I snooze I loose because many are one of a kind. Ive collected journals covered with my favorite fairy tails, my old college art history book, a vintage cook book, the parakeet care book I got when I was 6 and most recently an etiquette book just waiting to be filled with ideas.You cant judge a book by the cover, so even if the cover may be a tad dated, the coil is new, springy & sturdy while the paper is heavy with a welcoming writing surface. Pages from the original book peppered among the blank sheets are nice little surprises.The BEST part of owning one of Ex Libris Anonymous journals is when you run into someone else who is using one. The knowing look; the little smile; the silly comments like I loved the chapter about preventing parakeets from going carnivorous from someone clutching a journal with the Pokey Little Puppy are priceless.

Wonderful journals, love the paper and the old books covers, endless variety and they make great gifts, all followed by great service, the only journals I use

It doesnt better than Ex Libris. It just doesnt. What do you want from a business?Fair price? These hand crafted journals/sketch books/ OCD lovin list holders are $14!Support a small business? Jacob is owner extraordinaire, and polite and hard working to boot. He truly appreciates your business.Unique gifts for family, friends, coworkers, baby showers, work party, thank you, etc.? There are such a plethora of books to choose from at Ex Libris (in person at the Portland, Ore. storefront or online) that youll be hard pressed to not find something for someone in your life. The most recent one I purchased was about Canada. But I have also bought those with classic Pooh, weather terminology, and songs of praise themes, to name but a few. When I give an Ex Libris journal as a gift, it shows thought for the individual not some mass produced item anyone could have gotten any where.Environmentally minded? These are old books with wickedly cool covers that no one wants to read. Nuff said.

There are no better journals