Spiral Bible: The Books of Poetry

 

In the past decade, many Bible publishers have kindly sent me review copies of fresh translations or editions of God’s Word. Each Bible is special in some way – sometimes because of wording that makes scripture more accessible or sometimes because of an innovative approach to the layout.

With the beloved King James Version (KJV) for the text, the Spiral Bible grouped together related books of scripture in its several offerings. For example, my review copy collected the biblical books of poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. The lay-flat spiral binding, sturdy cardboard backing, and ample margins for note-taking encourage readers to interact with God’s Word.

For some of us, writing little notes or jotting down prayers in the margins of a Bible is a common occurrence, whether the text has a paper cover or a leather one. But other readers hesitate to mark up their Bibles either because they don’t feel comfortable doing this or because ink bleeds through the typically thin pages. However, the Spiral Bible resolves this issue with thicker paper and note-taking lines, allowing you to respond to God’s Word with your words in an intimate conversation with your heavenly Father. What a blessed way to begin Lent!

 

©2023, Mary Harwell Sayler

 

NKJV, Notetaking Bible

When I received my complimentary copy of the NKJV, Notetaking Bible, which Holman Bible Publishers kindly sent me to review, I immediately noticed the attractive cover and high quality of construction in this reader edition.

Besides having sewn-in pages to keep the book from falling apart with heavy, long-term use, the bonded leather cover has been stitched over board, sturdying the overall structure and creating a very attractive black and brown book that reminds me of a well-made diary.

I also like the size – 8.5 high by 6.5 inches wide, which works nicely for writing marginal notes, especially since the pages lay flat.

To aid notetaking, double-spaced lines run alongside the single-column text of the New King James Version of the Bible, which happens to be one of my favorite translations. This would also make an excellent journal for jotting down thoughts that come during reading or for noting the date of prayers using the adjacent scriptures.

As a regular reviewer of new editions of the Bible, I’ve received many fine study Bibles over the years, which I frequently refer to in private study or preparation for my Bible study group. When I lead a discussion, however, I like to make my own notes of information I want to share or points I want to remember, which makes a wide-margin or journaling Bible, such as this, ideal.

If the font were 9 points or larger, this notetaking Bible would be my new companion, but, sadly for me, the 8-point type is hard on my eyes. Nevertheless, the font is crisp and well-inked, which should make it work well for most readers and Bible students who want to take notes of helpful info and insights in a discussion group.

Clear maps in the back matter aid Bible discussions, too, as does the concordance, which I appreciate for looking up themes or topics to see what the Bible has to say about a particular subject. Then the double-spaced lines beside the scriptures gives readers a place to respond to and interact with God’s Word.

Review by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2017

NKJV, Notetaking Bible


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