Our apologies to Braveheart but the sentiment stands. We’ve been spending a lot of time indoors and we are so hooked on journaling that we’re journaling about journaling! After a week of extensive research, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite fictitious diary-themed books and movies:
(warning: semi-spoilers ahead)
Gone Girl
Don’t cheat on your spouse. Seriously. This hair-raising thriller should be required viewing on ‘Spouse-Appreciation’ Day. Every marriage has its problems, but be glad you’re not a part of this one. Financial troubles, domestic disputes, and damning diary-entries, will have you not-knowing up from down. A diary is a window into the author’s mind. But minds are complex, and some are very dark and twisted. Journaling requires commitment and some women really commit.
The Notebook
Now that we’ve established how important it is to keep your spouse happy, it’s smart to start queuing up romantic movies (and maybe buy stock in Hershey’s). This story begins with an old man reading from a notebook to a resident in a home. The notebook guides us through a remarkable tale, filled with romance, yearning and pain. The tale is elevated from story to epic, when the audience finally realizes the significance of the notebook. This film cemented the reputation of a journal as a symbol of love. This cult-classic has been melting hearts since 2004, and while Ryan Gosling can claim some credit, the notebook is the real hero in our opinion.
Dracula
You know it’s addictive when even the undead are doing it. This Bram Stoker classic is narrated in the form of a series of documents – letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings etc. The diary is a key-text type in this novel. Astute readers ( and diary-enthusiasts) will be intrigued by the many functions of the diary ( It is deftly employed as shelter, obligation and as a weapon). It’s a really great read (the book is better than the movie) though we do recommend consuming it in either form in daylight.
There are many things we’re planning to quit once we’re dead – exercise, suits, and calls to the in-laws (okay maybe a light haunting every now and then). But you’ll have to pry our journals from our cold, (un)dead hands. If you’re looking for our drug of choice, take a look at the incredible Leuchtturm range of notebooks.