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1000 Journals Project
Voyeuristic. Inspirational. Entertaining. One thousand blank journals are currently circulating throughout the world, beckoning contributors who find the journals by chance on trains, in cafés, and anonymously left on doorsteps. Artist Someguy shares more than 250 of the best entries: a collage of African countries repositioned into a new continent; the musings of a teen trapped in a drug- ravaged community; a student's humorous personal ad for his ideal girlfriend ("C-cup required!"). A faux leather cover and two beautifully embroidered pages bring the look and feel of the original journals to life. The perfect gift for journalists, aspiring artists, designers, and anyone who can't wait for one of the journals to magically appear in their lives.
212 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2007
7 people are currently reading
1055 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 29, 2008
I've been trying to keep illustrated journals for years, so when I did a Google search for the term I found a site by an man who calls himself "someguy." He put together 1000 blank journals and sent them out into the world for anyone who found them to add to. Not all of them returned to him, but several did. His website has scanned pages, all wildly different and creative, to see. Then our Wisconsin Book Festival featured a documentary about the 1000 Journal Project, and I was fascinated all over again, because I got to see Someguy and a few of the journal contributors. So then I had to get the book, because it allows me to study these wild pages in much greater detail. It's interesting, disturbing, and inspiring all at once.
June 29, 2007
Turned around an on-coming depression. Renewed my faith in an inter-connected, creative humanity.
November 17, 2009
i echo what many other reviewers said, about wanting to like this book more than they did. i heard about the 1000 journals project soon after it launched in 2000, though i didn't really follow the web updates. the book is a collections of pages from a selection of journals that have successfully been returned to "someguy," the project creator. i thought it was a pretty disappointing round-up--way too many people slapping together a collage & including their website, like the books were less "journals" & more like traveling business cards. the overwhelming majority of attempts at writing were just collections of cliche observations on human nature. it was all kind of boring. i sure am gad i got this from the library & didn't pay anything for it.
December 5, 2024
I read about the 1000 Journals Project years ago and wanted to see the museum exhibit when it came to a city closest to me. I think looking at the actual journals would have been more fun than this collection of random "artwork", much of it seemingly made by self-important college students. This book was a bit of a letdown😞
March 22, 2020
In the 6th day of self quarantine from the Corona Virus I decided to pull the book out and take time to savor it.
I especially was struck by the dedication:
This book is dedicated to everyone who’s ever said, “I’m not ready creative.”
This volume reflects the truly unique and person styles of each contributor. It is also very personal and poignant.
The book is also tactile with actual stitching on some of the art. I love this project. I closed the book and felt creatively challenged.
I especially was struck by the dedication:
This book is dedicated to everyone who’s ever said, “I’m not ready creative.”
This volume reflects the truly unique and person styles of each contributor. It is also very personal and poignant.
The book is also tactile with actual stitching on some of the art. I love this project. I closed the book and felt creatively challenged.
March 26, 2012
A fun look at a very interesting project - I wish one of the 1000 journals would fall into my hands!
July 31, 2025
Loved the concept of this book…..”some guy” sends 1000 blank journals into the world and asks that the writers and artists keep them for a bit and then send them on to become part of a collective art project. This book is a compilation of 250 entries. I think I will try some version of this in my psychology class.
March 7, 2020
I wish I'd thought of it 👌👌👌
May 24, 2022
I’ve had this book sitting on my bookshelf for about 10 years and only occasionally flicked through it. However, I recent worked with some students trying to discover and uncover our own sense of creativity and journaling as a process well being through a range of activities and prompts. So I found this book a great little teaching resource to help demonstrate to them the scope and diversity of styles and content.
April 30, 2009
After attending the Indianapolis International Film Festival and seeing the documentary of the 1000 Journal projects followed with a testimonial by Someguy, I was intrigued. My friend loaned me the book, which is simply a compilation of entries from across the various journals that have been collected.
I give it 5 stars for the creativity of building the project and being able to let the project go on it's own terms. Most people are way to controlling to really let something take it's own path.
I deduct a star because I'm annoyed with people in the world. This isn't Someguy's fault obviously, but I lived in this idealistic world that people respected other people's ideas and efforts and even had maturity. Many of the entries proved me wrong. Some were very interesting, but it was annoying to always find the counter-balance.
There were some cool connections though that I couldn’t deny. Every now and then I’d just throw my head back and laugh, while other times statements would make me sit and think. Often, I'd shake my head in confusion or occasionally roll my eyes. My favourite though was when I saw a Halstead address in Chicago on a receipt and I pointed at it and said, “hey, I know where that is!”
I give it 5 stars for the creativity of building the project and being able to let the project go on it's own terms. Most people are way to controlling to really let something take it's own path.
I deduct a star because I'm annoyed with people in the world. This isn't Someguy's fault obviously, but I lived in this idealistic world that people respected other people's ideas and efforts and even had maturity. Many of the entries proved me wrong. Some were very interesting, but it was annoying to always find the counter-balance.
There were some cool connections though that I couldn’t deny. Every now and then I’d just throw my head back and laugh, while other times statements would make me sit and think. Often, I'd shake my head in confusion or occasionally roll my eyes. My favourite though was when I saw a Halstead address in Chicago on a receipt and I pointed at it and said, “hey, I know where that is!”
December 25, 2018
I keep waffling between 4 & 5 stars. I think it's pretty amazing someone thought of this project and then executed it - with help of course. The pages are interesting, telling, explosive, benign. But the important thing is they prove that art and journaling will likely never die. We don't have to worry about the electronic age pushing it aside. These things can live together in harmony - blogging and paper journaling.
I can't remember what year I heard of the project, nor exactly what year I decided I wanted the published book. Finally it was gifted to me by my son a few years ago. It's a thing I pull off the shelf and look through again and again. I'd squint at the tiny writing on some pages trying to decipher it. I'd admire the talent. I never did a true beginning to end until now. It's an exciting project and if any are still floating around I'd love to find one.
I can't remember what year I heard of the project, nor exactly what year I decided I wanted the published book. Finally it was gifted to me by my son a few years ago. It's a thing I pull off the shelf and look through again and again. I'd squint at the tiny writing on some pages trying to decipher it. I'd admire the talent. I never did a true beginning to end until now. It's an exciting project and if any are still floating around I'd love to find one.
July 1, 2007
Upon hearing of this project I was instantly excited. A book of ideas, thoughts, secrets contributed by people all over the world and upon reading it only one word accurately describes my feelings regarding its contents: disappointed. I guess I expected more out of the world and not just another way to brag about themselves or sell their art or place a free personal ad. Naively I expected more depth but maybe things really are that shallow after all. Maybe what we see really is what we get.
May 5, 2008
Collaborative works are some of my favorites to read, especially when they're related to art. This one was beautifully done and the textural additions (i.e. stitched pages) were a nice touch.
Even better, the project is ongoing, and you can contribute as well:
http://1001journals.com/
Even better, the project is ongoing, and you can contribute as well:
http://1001journals.com/
December 30, 2017
So wonderful. Truly beautiful to see others' intimacy.
March 8, 2018
Loved the notion of leaving blank journals all over the place for anyone to write in. Risky business! Some of the pages were so well thought out and inspiring.
December 24, 2018
Not gonna lie, I got chills while reading this.
July 1, 2020
I think the main thing I got out of this reading experience is an idea to set journals loose in my own high school where I teach and see what comes back to me and from where.
November 28, 2024
Hear me out; I leave one thousand blank journals all around the world and see what anecdotes, thoughts, and tidbits people write down. From the journals that are returned to me, I gather the most interesting entries and publish them in one book as a snapshot of people in time. That’s exactly what this book is.
Interesting viewpoints from mostly unknown authors from around the world. Considering that “Someguy” put out that many empty journals, one could expect there to be more entries or more than one edition. While it was interesting to read the entries included, surely people had additional interesting things to say. Most of the entries were morose and depressing. Some were anthems to parents or a past relationship. Others were more artistic than literary.
I found this on the shelf of the Airbnb I am staying in while visiting family in Medford, Oregon. It helped pass some down time and I wouldn’t call it a bad book. However, I probably would not have picked it up on my own. It might be perfect for someone else.
Interesting viewpoints from mostly unknown authors from around the world. Considering that “Someguy” put out that many empty journals, one could expect there to be more entries or more than one edition. While it was interesting to read the entries included, surely people had additional interesting things to say. Most of the entries were morose and depressing. Some were anthems to parents or a past relationship. Others were more artistic than literary.
I found this on the shelf of the Airbnb I am staying in while visiting family in Medford, Oregon. It helped pass some down time and I wouldn’t call it a bad book. However, I probably would not have picked it up on my own. It might be perfect for someone else.
October 12, 2022
What an interesting project that was admittedly done years ago. Started in 2000 'someguy' started circulating 1000 journals and the instructions were simple, add to and pass along, send back when full. I purchased this book years ago for my youngest daughter and it disappeared. I recently discovered it while cleaning out a desk and decided to read it. I am glad I did. The project is ongling but now it is "1001 Journal Project" with journals in Children's Hospitals. Check out the website.
1001.journalporject.com
1001.journalporject.com
December 3, 2024
Cool concept. However, I wish it felt more cohesive, some entries are not related to the artwork shown in the next page.. a lot more written entries would have been great; some of the artwork felt a bit repetitive and without context - and misprinted in some cases (eg edges cut out). Maybe that was the aim!
January 13, 2025
Such an interesting concept to send out 1000 journals in the public to see what people write, draw, etc.
For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:
https://youtube.com/shorts/iM9W3hNd7U...
Enjoy!
For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:
https://youtube.com/shorts/iM9W3hNd7U...
Enjoy!
March 20, 2019
Excellent
February 18, 2021
Great. I loved it.
November 19, 2021
I find so much inspiration in this book.
December 22, 2021
His book is simply incredible.
February 27, 2024
Amazing project and beautiful curated book to account it
March 14, 2025
Hardly worth your time. Flip through it, spend 5 minutes or so looking at this rubbish then send it on it's way to the recyclers. A good white elephant gift.
July 21, 2016
The project idea was brilliant: disseminate 1000 journals around the world and let anyone and everyone contribute entries. Unfortunately, the book doesn't chronicle as much of that project as it easily could have (though the website does a much better job).
This book has a hard black journal-like cover and is filled with representative illustrations, photos, doodles and musings (even a few stitched entries) from however many of the 1000 journals that got mailed back, or had individual entries emailed back, or somehow had some or all of their content returned to the project "curator"--who calls himself Someguy.
The entries included in this book are wonderful, and leave you wanting more. Which leads to my only criticism. The book could easily have contained a more informative introduction or commentary. As it stands, the introduction gives us only tantalizing indications of what we're missing. Where's the list of where the journals were sent and how? Where's the information about how many journals were returned, and when, and how? Where are the details about the treasure hunt, gunpoint theft, lost-and found recovery, apology journey, and other adventures in which we're told (without any further explanation) that these books played a role? Why could the curator not have included even a few more pages in the introduction filling in for us some of these sure-to-be-fascinating details, and generally telling us more about the project and its results?
What you get when you buy this book is (1) a "sample" journal (apparently) compiled from many of the individual journal entries that made it back, (2) a somewhat loopy 3-page foreword, (3) an altogether insufficient 3-ish page introduction, and (4) an appendix with pictures of the individual journal cover designs and their designers. The journal itself is great, as is the appendix; the foreword and introduction are not-so-great.
This book has a hard black journal-like cover and is filled with representative illustrations, photos, doodles and musings (even a few stitched entries) from however many of the 1000 journals that got mailed back, or had individual entries emailed back, or somehow had some or all of their content returned to the project "curator"--who calls himself Someguy.
The entries included in this book are wonderful, and leave you wanting more. Which leads to my only criticism. The book could easily have contained a more informative introduction or commentary. As it stands, the introduction gives us only tantalizing indications of what we're missing. Where's the list of where the journals were sent and how? Where's the information about how many journals were returned, and when, and how? Where are the details about the treasure hunt, gunpoint theft, lost-and found recovery, apology journey, and other adventures in which we're told (without any further explanation) that these books played a role? Why could the curator not have included even a few more pages in the introduction filling in for us some of these sure-to-be-fascinating details, and generally telling us more about the project and its results?
What you get when you buy this book is (1) a "sample" journal (apparently) compiled from many of the individual journal entries that made it back, (2) a somewhat loopy 3-page foreword, (3) an altogether insufficient 3-ish page introduction, and (4) an appendix with pictures of the individual journal cover designs and their designers. The journal itself is great, as is the appendix; the foreword and introduction are not-so-great.
September 19, 2015
I first heard about this project when I was in high school, so I've been wanting to check out this book for a long time now. Many journal entries are collaged and/or chaotic, a style that would've really excited my teenage self. Now, what I found most inspiring and compelling was not the content itself but all that went into this project and keeping it alive. I loved hearing how much contributors loved finding the journals and adding a bit of themselves to a couple pages before passing it on. I love how all these strangers are linked by one journal, truly creating a captivating narrative at which we can all only guess. I love how the journals were received by others and were even used to make friends, like the story how one person took it to the bar and got strangers (who were equally excited about the project) to add something. It fascinates me that each page is a piece of art representing what was most important at the time to the person creating it. I love that each of the 1,000 journals went on its own adventure once it left the project creator. I only wish that this book was actually one of the 1,000 and I had the opportunity to add my own contribution, but this collection perhaps is a stronger reminder of the project as a whole.
July 26, 2016
The concept of 1000 journals project, leaving blank journals for people to find, contribute to, and pass on was very interesting to me.
Unfortunately I felt like the contents chosen to be published were mostly disappointing. A lot of the written content was self-conscious and twee - musings about not having enough time, or teenage attempts at brashness through confessions of pot smoking.
More interesting than the many websites that people included would have been where the journal was found and where it was left. I will check out the website in hopes of finding a map of travels for each of the journals.
Nice to page through, liked a couple drawings, but did not inspire my artwork. A good book to check out from the library - not worth owning.
Unfortunately I felt like the contents chosen to be published were mostly disappointing. A lot of the written content was self-conscious and twee - musings about not having enough time, or teenage attempts at brashness through confessions of pot smoking.
More interesting than the many websites that people included would have been where the journal was found and where it was left. I will check out the website in hopes of finding a map of travels for each of the journals.
Nice to page through, liked a couple drawings, but did not inspire my artwork. A good book to check out from the library - not worth owning.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews