Best Magazines to Subscribe To

Do you love magazines? Have you noticed the burgeoning number of periodicals in circulation? A quick perusal shows that 99% are literally not worth the paper they are printed on, nor the cost of publication. It isn't even the ads that I object to as much as the low intellect 'journalism' (term used lightly). The models may as well be from the Mattel collection of Barbie characters. They reflect real life about as much as Wonder represents real bread. Most magazines are biased, limited in scope, ethnocentric, tedious to read and a waste of good brain cells.

I do not often subscribe to magazines on environmental principles; furthermore, I don't wish to pay for the privelege of contributing to a landfill. Also on somewhat what socialist or transcendental philosophy, I believe that individual need not own, but rather should lend, borrow and share. I support the barter system as well. With magazines available online (the best green solution in history) who needs hard copy? When it come periodicals then, I am particularly discriminating and rigid about my selection of magazines that may be worthy of subscription. Here is my list of candidates; the ideal solution would be to form a reading group each subscribe to one periodical, circulating them among members.

National Geographic For purely academic content, NG is about the best. NG is global by nature (pardon the pun), so we avoid the WASP mentality of so many rags (the old term for magazines and newspapers; apt don't you think?). National Geographic is all about issues, events, wonders and concerns the world over. NG's history content is a higher calibre than the History Channel, which dramatizes events more than just telling about them. The images in NG are the essence of good journalism. Many issues come with a free map as well.

The New Yorker Now before you get your knickers in a twist, saying but this is a very localized periodical and not world reading, just chill. TNY is my nomination for a good regional magazine (world regional, that is). The New Yorker combines the fresh and the vintage. The articles are a little quirky, edgy and not really politically correct. And the cartoons, especially the legendary Charles Addams cartoons are the best in minimalist humor. Plus I just love that font they use.

Reminisce is a living history magazine in which the authors are the people who lived what they write about. Reminisce stories do not come from historians, writers or lecturers. They come from people. You can read about every issue in history, plus all sorts of interesting things that we don't read about in history books because it could only come from someone who was there. I feel tranquil when I read Reminisce. Being an ardent supporter of time travel (or the concept of it), Reminisce is a delightful way to time travel on my couch.

This Old House is a treasure trove of information. I recommend a subscription because each TOH is essentially a topical, self-contained manual or project book. This Old House is supported by different building suppliers, but doesn't dwell on retailers so much as design, diy, tutorials and good sound advice.

O While I am not a magazine lover, I am even less a woman's magazine lover. Most are patronizing and superficial. Women do occasionally think about more than dieting and cooking (the great oxymoron; how am I supposed to think about shedding ten pounds when I have just been shown a new truffle recipe that looks like ambrosia? Oh and sex and fashion; two other topics that are not always in the forefront of my mind. So in a round-about way, if I read a magazine for women, at least O has some more eclectic topics. And who can not like Oprah Winfrey?

Readers Digest RD is not quite the magazine it used to be, having succombed to a new format and more advertising. It still has riveting articles and encourages amateur writers. For human interest, RD stories can't be beat.

HiWaves This magazine isn't even in print nor will be. The magazine will be available on compact disc. It isn't even in circulation yet, to my knowledge, but the concept is stellar. WGBH Boston and PBS have created this concept periodical; HiWaves is to be completely written by high-school students. HiWaves will be a full-feature magazine with news articles, reviews, editorials, features and columns. Students across the United States will be invited in their schools to submit articles, interviews, photos, essays and information. Hopefully, voices from other nations can become involved.

Happy and worthwhile reading to you!