ESV Journaling Bible (Brown, Flap with Strap) Paperback – August 15, 2007

I purchased this bible after several months of searching. I almost followed online instructions to print and bind my own edition based on my needs but didn't want three volumes that I wouldn't be able to carry around. I bought it for the following reasons:1. ESV version - after using several others I appreciate the simple translation that is also highly accurate (here I trust scholars on the matter as I do not read Greek or Hebrew). The translation doesn't change from one type of presentation to the next, so this part was excellent as I expected.2. Margin for Notes: This was a high priority and I believe in USING a book (any book - notes are always useful!) In my student NIV from Zondervan, the margins are crowded with notes. While I was glad to have the notes, I felt they were still tight (and I write extremely small) and reduced the overall page space - I would still like more space by the text for smaller notations or emphasis. Also, the font, as others have mentioned, is extremely small at 7.5. My eyes are getting worse and I should buy glasses, but I feel they sacrificed quality for style in this case.3. Style: This may seem like a contradiction to my last statement, but I originally appreciated the simple and rustic design. So many other bibles just looked cheesy, like they were trying too hard to be cool. So I was attracted to this edition because it fit my needs. I agree with other reviews that the overall construction could have been better at this price point. The little elastic loop for the pen came out within three months and the cover does feel a little bit flimsy. I still like the style, but I would now prefer to see a magnet tucked away in the flap and lose the string. It's much too long for such a small bible.Overall, I was moderately satisfied with the purchase. It was better than any other ESV on the market and the only one I could find with margin for notes. I have made some notes, but you have to have a proper pen to help reduce bleed (as with any bible) and ultimately feel I'm going to keep looking for a "lifetime" bible.

I just received this Bible today; I was excited to be able to look at it for the first time. I initially had some concerns about the size of the text because I read others had experienced problems with it being too small. However, I found that it is completely fine for me! The pages are an interesting yellowish color and have a good amount of space on the sides to write notes. I haven't actually written anything in it yet so I can't comment on whether or not the pages bleed, but I am planning to use Micron 005 pens in it. The book itself is a reasonable size, nice and flexible, and has some good resources in it.The only setbacks I see for this Bible are the leather and the binding. I love that the leather is SO soft and supple, but don't be fooled by the perfectly smooth leather cover in the pictures - it is extremely easy to scratch. Just a slight brush of a fingernail will leave a mark. I was able to rub out some of the marks, but I didn't have such luck with others. Also, I would agree with others about the binding being disappointing in the sense that it seems like it could fall apart after a while. I wish the leather wasn't glued to paper on the inside... already I feel like the back cover of the leather is beginning to peel away from the paper it is glued to. Perhaps they could have used something sturdier? Also, I could do without the pen holder (since it shows through as a weird bump on the back of the Bible).I am planning on keeping this Bible because, overall, the pros outweigh the cons. Looking forward to putting some good use into it!

I got this about a decade ago. Love it. Love the way it looks. I feel like I have a cowboy Bible. However, I've used it a lot and the text has pulled off the cover. I know this happens a lot with books, but you need to be careful with this if you want it to last. That or don't open it.

Very impressed with the quality of this Bible. A bit pricy, but worth it. Leather is absolutely wonderful, soft and flexible, not thin or flimsy. I really like the soft color of the pages, and the paper seems to accept notes and markings well. There is no avoiding some "ghosting" on opposite side of pages with any Bible, but this is probably better than most. I plan to use mostly colored pencil with minimal ink, and some pigment ink (for stamps), and washi tape - and the pages seem to handle these materials very well, especially without gesso or other page prep.

Beautiful Bible with supple, thick, rich, full grain leather to last a lifetime. This is a perfect bible to carry anywhere with it's unique design and just right weight and size, that will only become nicer with age and use. Be aware that the print is on the smaller side (7.7 on pale yellow nice grade paper) and can be a bit difficult for over 50 eyes, and unfortunately, my eyes are over 50. The margins are wide enough and lined nicely for notes as well. Hope this helps. Rae  ESV Journaling Bible (Brown, Flap with Strap) .

This Bible was a gift for my husband for our 3rd anniversary (leather). He specifically wanted a Bible with the notes lines in ESV, so the small print was not a problem for him (he also has excellent eyesight). I was a little disappointed that the leather scratches so easily, but he doesn't seem to mind. Overall, it is a beautiful edition with lots of space for note taking!

Perfect for my needs. It has rather small print. A 7.5 font, if I am not mistaken. I have excellent vision without glasses, so this is not a problem. However, my husband, whom has had corrective surgery for his vision, can not easily read this font size. The bible is of good quality, size is compact which makes it easy to take with you, the leather will only look better with age and I like the cream colored pages.

The only thing I didn't like about this bible was the price and I figured because I would use it everyday it would be worth it. It's lovely to use and write it and does feel very special, although the soft leather does mark very easily I don't mind the worn look that this bible will have over the many years I hope to use it.

Bible should not be ornaments. You need to read it and dissect it, make it part of you. For me a bible that has room for me to write in is important. This one fit the bill nicely and was still portable and nice to look at.[ Pros: ]Love the leather. The feel of it is very soft to the touch. I saw some people complain in that not being a hard face finish to the leather it does show scratches and marks easily. I don't find it an issue being quality leather you just rub any marks with your fingers and they disappear. If you're a little OCD this may bother you as the face will always show marks it just the type of leather it is. It looks more like rough saddle than a fine leather coat, so know what your getting. I'm sure there is some kind of leather treatment you could put on to reduce this if it really really bothers you.I like the design with the leather strap wrap around lace. Again a lot like an old leather satchel. It takes some getting used to. It's not as easy to close as a snap or a buckle on most other designs. After a while you get good at wrapping it and tying it off but some people may get frustrated who want to just snap their bible shut and get going. If your opening and closing your bible a lot, re-lacing it, untying it, re-lacing it, you could easily get frustrated.Binding seems excellent, though often time is the true marker. The glue bonds look solid, and binding solid solid and supple at the same time.There is lots of room in the margins for copious notes, which is what I really wanted. If you wanted more room you'd probably have to go to an interleaved bible where every facing page is blank for notes.[ Cons: ]Though made well, the finish is not excellent. There is no guilding, just raw paper edges. Perhaps that would look out of place on a bible like this, but the raw edges give it a cheaper feel. The marker ribbon is OK but only cut off on the end, so if you don't take steps it will fray. I suggest trim the end with a hot razor to melt the end fibres together... or just tie a knot in the end.There is a pen holder inside the cover but it's just an elastic loop glued into the binding. With a pen in the loop the flap does not close the same. Again not a deal breaker for me but would be nice if they had positioned this a little better.The print is very small. This wasn't really an issue for me. If you have concerns for small type make sure you look at one of these in a local bookstore before you run out and buy it.Would be nice if it had some index tabs printed on the page ends but not a huge issue, and again this is a personal preference.Overall:I love it. I would recommend it to anyone that can accept it's few shortcomings. I think this bible will age nicely and look better even with age. It will mean more to me as my thoughts accumulate in the margins to help me absorb more of God's word.God Bless.I hope this was useful to someone.