The Commonplace Book Circle Is Here

Hello, friend.

I’ve had dozens of you ask me how to start a commonplace book, and today I’d like to invite you into a community that I’ve always wanted but didn’t know how to create space for, until I found Substack.

As I prepare to turn 40 and my children become more independent, I’ve faced a reckoning of sorts and I’m still in the midst of lots of existential questions about what it means to live a good life, be a woman, to love the people in and out of my own home well, while exploring parts of me I was always afraid had to take a backseat to being a mother-figure or big sister to everyone around me.

Through this community I’ve discovered so many women have the same craving as I do for indulging in learning and the education they’ve always wanted, and an even greater craving for carving space for themselves to learn, create, and build deeply intimate friendships around their wildest dreams.

A commonplace book is a personal collection of quotes, passages, observations, recipes, sketches, ideas that are copied out by hand and organized however makes sense to you. Think of it as part scrapbook, part journal, part personal encyclopedia.

As of late, the practice of keeping a commonplace book has been taken a shape I don’t quite recognize, and I am afraid it’s creating an unnecessary barrier to entry for those interested.

It’s much simpler than it may have been presented to you, but also has room for creative variation. The practice of keeping a commonplace book has been one of the most meaningful evidences of my decision to guard my attention and foster a deeper intellectual life, and when I look back on years of quotes I’ve collected, I am overcome with a weighty sense that my choice to spend time this way will not only impact me for the better, but will create ripples of permission for other women for generations to come. (Is that too dramatic? Good.)

I write about the basics of commonplace book keeping here:

How to Start a Commonplace Book

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May 23

Since I’ve started creating content I’ve received dozens of questions about how to start a commonplace book, and I don’t even know how to convey how much that excites and activates me. This essay is my attempt at answering and making the barrier to entry less intimidating because everyone should experience the delights of commonplacing, truly! My own t…

Each season, the Circle votes on a theme with some leaning on classic liberal arts, and other seasons themed toward lived experience and the questions that come up in ordinary living, from joy and color to solitude and connection.

Some example themes will be:

When the theme drops, we will take it wherever our own curiosity leads us. There will be a casual path for those who want to explore freely and share what they find in our private member chat, and a deeper path for those who want more structure: a spread guide with suggested entry types and a curated reading and watching list for going further in. You can choose how involved you get, and we can share our sources, spreads, and research in the chat for inspiration!

Periodically, we will gather together on an optional video call to create together and work on our commonplace books, sharing the research we’ve found with each other. As an introvert, I love gathering with people, while having something to do with my hands. It’s the BEST.

I am also sincerely encouraging members to organize their own gatherings with each other whenever the mood strikes, because I would love nothing more than this community taking on a life outside of this platform.

• On August 1st you will receive the starter guide on our first season’s theme we voted on and some inspiration around how we will be commonplacing and the ideas

• A printable ephemera sheet to get you started right away

• Seasonal themed prompts, spread guides, and optional reading, listening, viewing suggestions

• A private member chat for sharing sources, spreads, and inspiration

• Periodic live video sessions and community meetups

If you’re already a paid member of The Grand Tour, this is included and no action needed.

The Commonplace Book Circle opens August 1st at $8/month. Members who join before then will keep a rate of $6/month for as long as you’re a member as a way of saying thank you to the people who will help shape this. As a founding member, including everyone already part of the Grand Tour, you’ll help vote on our very first season’s theme.

I hope to see you there, friends.

Warmly,

Lilly