ESV Single Column Journaling Bible Review: Beautiful Art Meets Solid Scripture

The ESV Single Column Journaling Bible from Crossway's Artist Series, featuring Lulie Wallace's 'In Bloom' design, sits at an interesting intersection: it's a Bible made for people who want to interact with Scripture through writing, art, or reflection, wrapped in a cover they won't want to hide on a shelf.

The single-column layout is the real workhorse here. Unlike most Bible formats, this one presents text in flowing paragraphs rather than verse-by-verse columns, which means more room in the margins for your own thoughts. The paper quality in Crossway's journaling editions is generally sufficient for most pens and light watercolor work, though heavy journaling may show through on the reverse side. If you're planning to use wet media extensively, test a page first.

The Lulie Wallace 'In Bloom' design leans into botanical illustration with a soft, hand-drawn aesthetic. It's the kind of cover you leave visible rather than tucking into a bag. The cloth-over-board binding feels substantial and durable, built to hold up to daily use and the inevitable wear of a well-traveled devotional companion. That durability comes with a trade-off: this isn't a lightweight carry. At home on a desk or nightstand, it works beautifully. For commuting or travel, you'll notice the weight.

The ESV translation provides a word-for-word approach that prioritizes accuracy over paraphrase, making it a reliable choice for serious reading and study. It's an edition that works well if you appreciate formal equivalence but find the NKJV or NASB slightly less readable for extended devotional reading.

This edition isn't for everyone. If you want a Bible to toss in a purse or travel bag, the cloth binding and larger format make that less practical. If you prefer a simple, understated cover, the artistic flourish of 'In Bloom' may feel like too much. And at artist-edition pricing, you're paying for the aesthetic as much as the content.

But if you're someone who uses a journaling Bible as part of your faith practice, who wants your study tools to reflect care and beauty, and who resonates with botanical or illustrative art, this is a well-crafted option worth considering.