Devashish Bansal
Vintage fountain pens — a Parker Vacumatic, a Pilot eyedropper, and a Swan lever filler

A reader-writer, father, collector of crafted things — keeping a notebook in public.

Hello, I'm Devashish.

This "public notebook" helps me keep my many interests straight, and connect the dots as I discover who I am.

I am on a quest to find more meaning in life, and will write about my many experiments as I strive to find it. Over the years I've saved a bunch of good writing that resonated with me, which I will keep publishing here - these continue to shape my world view.

I like reading - I love (really) long fantasy and sci-fi series as I love to get lost in their worlds.
I like collecting what I call "functional luxury" tools - these are things I love to use and maintain - and the journey of researching -> buying -> use and maintain is a key area of joy for me.
I like traveling - and exploring all the new food along the way.

This may feel unconnected at first — but this is my way of discovering myself. I hope you find something meaningful that resonates with you too.

Meaning, attention, ambition

Essays on books, living a better life and discovering more meaning. writing →

Borrowed lines

Things I've saved, written by others. A source of answers to a lot of life-questions. commonplace →

Books & worlds

High fantasy, science fiction, and other good reads that live inside me. reading →

Objects & functional luxury

Pens, knives, watches, wallets. Small well-made tools, kept and used. collections →

All essays →