The Moleskine is a classic ruled notebook, used by the great travel essayist Bruce Chatwin (see his In Patagonia, a book that moved me deeply when I first read it at 16). Its hard covers make it easy to write on when a writing surface isn't handy, it is durable, it has a pocket for receipts and a place to put your name, address, and phone number for a reward. I only lost a Moleskine once, at an airport x-ray machine. The cream color is an ideal background for writing.

Even though someone held it for ransom, I paid the reward, I got it back. An ideal companion for a Montblanc pen.

You can't be a writer and not be familiar with Moleskine's