NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Leathersoft, Pink/Brown: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses Imitation Leather – Large Print, November 15, 2016

This review is of the NIV “Journal the Word” large print – lay flat edition. Published by Zondervan. (ISBN-10: 0310445620 or ISBN-13: 978-0310445623)There are a number of resources for selection an art journaling Bible on-line, however, when it came to buying a particular Bible with those traits, I got so frustrated trying to find one that I decided to write a review with the things I was missing in the on-line resources for my decision. Disclaimer: I physically ordered and reviewed only 2 Bibles after extensive on-line searching. This is the one I chose. I was not interested in an illustrated option (with the outline pictures on some pages) or an interleaved edition (with full blank pages throughout) so I did not look at any of those.Content: Good stuff. Fully recommend reading it cover to cover. The Bible is not a quick read, so expect “soak time” on the text. If this is your first exposure, I’d suggest starting in the New Testament (in the back portion), specifically the section called “John.” For an example of this NIV translation versus other ways the verses are translated from their original languages, see the pictures or your favorite verses in any NIV (New International Version) edition. NIV is a translation, not a paraphrase.Exterior closed: 2.0” thick with top dimensions of 6.5” x 8.25.” The Bible weighs 2 pounds 14 oz and has almost 2000 pages. The cover is imitation leather pink/brown. (It is more of a magenta color.) I like the little embossed flowers. It is plain brown on the spine.Interior: See pictures. NOTE: This is not an interleaved edition. . This is not a red letter edition.Paper color: The background and coffee cup top are “true white.” The pages are called ivory, & they give off a bit of a yellow color. You can see the amount of page bleed-through (thickness of paper) and the lightness of the ruled margins in the pictures.(I’m not a professional photographer, so this is the best I could do.)Font/page set-up: Using the example of the 2-page spread at start of the book of Exodus. There are 6 lines of print per inch in this LARGE PRINT edition. In my opinion, this is not really LARGE print. It looks generously readable/ normal to me. This is a single column edition. The outer margins are a true 2” wide. Text on these 2 pages includes Exodus 1:1 - 2:17. Exodus starts on page 86. From side to side on the pages (2-page spread) here is the space layout: (starting with left hand page) 2”far left margin -> 3.5” single column text -> 0.5” inner right margin -> CENTER SPLIT <- (on right-hand page) 0.5” inner left margin -> 3.5” single column text -> 2” outer right marginExtra’s: Not many extra resources. There is a 1-page weights and measure sheet in the back, a “preface” in the front, and a VERY few (no more than 1-3 per page) brief footnotes. This is a journaling, not a study Bible.MY REVIEW: This one was my choice. I am planning to use this Bible only for artistic journaling & will use other Bibles for study and most of my notes. I like this Bible. I am used to the NIV (it has strengths and weaknesses) but I am not against inserting other versions over or in addition to provided text when I need it. (Sorry, Ps 23 only works for me in NKJV.) I wouldn’t want the Bible to have much thicker paper or larger type because I don’t have a wheelbarrow to move it around. I like the feel of the paper. While the yellow-ivory paper color isn’t my favorite (versus white), I can live with it. The paper is a little thinner for bleed through than I’d like but the Bible is already 2” thick and weighs almost 3 lbs. I like the font size and I’m glad there will be less text per page since I won’t have so much content on each journaling page. (I only have the margins to work with and I know there is lots of “good stuff” on each page to illustrate. Therefore, I’ll have fewer choices on which individual verses to illustrate per page.) It’s a win. (I hope this opinion is helpful. I also did a review of an ESV journaling Bible version I looked at if you want to compare.)

I love the larger print option in this Bible. The journaling columns are exactly what I had hoped for and allow me to do journaling and artwork as well

Bought this Bible so I could take notes as I am studying. If you use super fine tip pens like .01 or .005 pens then there is no problem with bleed thru. Also, using Mr Pen highlighters work VERY well with this Bible. This weight actually surprised me. I thought it was going to be super heavy. Yes, it is definitely not you 6x9 ultra thin bible, but really no different than a study Bible in weight. The font is WONDERFUL!! This really looks like 11 pt font with good "leading" meaning space between each line. This is perfect for being easy to read and also give space for underlining or highlighting without getting into the text above or below what I am underlining/highlighting. I would highly recommend this bike for someone wanting to take notes in their Bible. I was trying to find a single column interleaved NIV. But since that doesn't exist, this is the next best thing and I am very happy with it.

This bible is beautiful. I bought it as a gift for my mother, and love the look and soft feel of the cover. I also felt the idea of large print and room to journal on the side was a good choice. It comes in a nice sturdy and protective box, easy to wrap or put in a bag for gifting. I knew it would be a thick bible, but unfortunately, it's also heavy, so I will return it. Because of arthritis in her hands, the weight is too much for her. Also, the lines for journaling are close together, which would make it difficult for her to use for that purpose.I'm sad this gift didn't work out. If I didn't have a fairly new bible, I would keep this one!

It is perfect

My daughter and I have this Bible and we really like it. The print for me could be a bit larger, but it is a good size with glasses. We love the note section! Good Bible to have. Cover is soft.

I wanted to try Bible Journaling, so I needed to get a journaling Bible. I chose this NIV single column, large print version, after sending back a different Bible. I like everything about this Bible: it's size, it's soft, flexible and attractive cover, the weight of the ivory colored pages, the just right sized 2 inch margins for journaling/creating and above all the 9 pt print, which is large but not overwhelming. Because the print is larger, the book itself is thicker than a regular Bible, but not so much that it is a problem. As a visual/tactile person, I can say I love the feel of this Bible in my hands; I like how the cover feels and how it is flexible but not too flexible; it opens pretty flat when laid on a desk; the pages are a good thickness and have light grey lines, which are good enough to use as guides for journaling and art placement, but not so dark as to be intrusive, the micron pens I use do not bleed through. I liked this so well, that I bought a second one to give as a gift, and upon my recommendation, a friend bought one and is using it for her Bible journaling and loves it too.There are some good videos on YouTube on how to choose a journaling Bible and there are some good recommendations here on Amazon. You need to decide: single column or double column, hardcover or soft cover, which version, print size - these are all subjective issues and there is no right or wrong decision, only what you prefer. I definitely prefer this Bible; from the language to the physical characteristics, it's perfect for me.

I love the color of the pages and it is durable. The Bible on the outside is very beautifulI'm

This Bible has a beautiful cover, for starters. I love that it's softcover. The pages are thick enough to not worry too much about using pen to journal, and the Large Print is perfectly readable. I'm especially glad that this typeface is readable (unlike other Bibles I've tried, with a supposed "comfort" print). Overall, I'm very pleased with this Bible.

Love it, love it, love it! Perhaps somewhat ironically, I don’t intend doing any highlighting or other markings in this beautiful volume which encourages artwork. I want it to remain pristine, despite reading from it every single day. The slightly larger print on cream background makes easier reading, and the book lies open and sits well in the flat of one hand. I will treasure it always.

The size of the print was very helpful for my mom to read the bible. Probably not the best for everyone but really good when you start to get older.

Arrived a lot quicker than I expected, Lovely Bible, plenty of space to make notes also not as big and bulky as I thought it would be. Happy with purchase.

Love this journal Bible!