Words
The other day, Jess began a conversation about what magazines people read for fun. I enjoyed reading through the comments and it got me thinking. You see, I read magazines, but not necessarily for mindless fun. I never was a CosmoGlamourSeventeen kind of girl. Sure, I’d pick up PeopleUsEntertainmentWeekly for trips that involved many hours sitting in the airport. But, at home? I guess the closest I’ve come to that in recent years was my now-lapsed subscription to Vanity Fair, which I’d argue has more depth than the above-listed ‘zines. I also used to get subscriptions to Runners World, Women’s Health and Real Simple, but tired of them after a couple years, because I felt like they were recycling the same ideas (it happens).
Today, well, today, my magazine subscription list is thin. I get The Atlantic Monthly (LOVE!) and The New Yorker (LOVE, but it’s hard to keep up with its weekly delivery). In particular, The Atlantic Monthly is really up my alley. Interesting and varied topics that are rarely repeats from previous issues. In-depth discussions (but, not necessarily super deep discussions). Things that get me thinking. I guess you could say I’m kind of serious when it comes to the magazines I read on a regular basis.
The other day, I was in line at Whole Foods when I saw an article about babywearing (which is a whole industry in and of itself). I wound up purchasing the magazine (Mothering), because the article was too long to finish while in line and it’s something Sweets and I are interested in. The combination of purchasing that magazine and reading Jess’ blog post got me thinking … what magazines and reading material should I be considering for the next year or so in regards to parenting?
I mean, parenting magazines have to run the gamut from light ‘n fluffy to more in-depth topics, right? For all the parents out there, which magazines offer quality over quantity? Which ones do you read and which ones do you skip? And for the non-parents out there, are there any interesting magazines I should consider adding to my subscription base (I’m always open to new ideas)??
September 1st, 2010 at 7:33 am
sounds like maybe i should send my gal samantha over here again ;)
the only subscription i get right now is runner’s world. i’ve also gotten women’s health, and used to get glamour. tomorrow at the airport, you can bet i’ll pick up some trashy us weeklys, people’s, etc. :)
September 1st, 2010 at 8:04 am
I have enjoyed reading American Baby. Just got my new issue yesterday and read it last night. It’ easy to read, has helpful, timely information in it, and sometimes even has some useful coupons in it!
September 1st, 2010 at 8:39 am
So the only mags I get are cooking ones: Rachel Ray and Simple and Delicious, both gifts from my gram last year. I like Rachel Ray’s mag because it combines kitchen style + cooking + kitchen must-haves, there is always something philantrhopic in it as well as something about dogs both which make me happy.
My parents get the New Yorker and I know my mom stockpiles them for long road trips so she can catch up on them. Other mags that we get at my house are Vogue, The Rotarian and a variety of other trade related publications (aka IT stuff, aka boring).
September 1st, 2010 at 8:46 am
The only magazine delivered to my house is the Oprah magazine. I’m boring that way I suppose. I sometimes pick up a People at the store but thats about it. For some reason, I’m not much of a magazine person.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:16 am
Post-baby’s arrival, one day you will open your mailbox and there will be a Parents magazine in there that you did not subscribe to. In fact, I get TWO. One to my maiden name and one to my married name. They must buy lists from somewhere and then send out free subscriptions. So far, I’ve been getting this for two years and am just now getting the “renew now for the low low price of $X!”. Parents is cute and colorful and I actually do look forward to it for some good baby-rearing tips and their recipes.
Other than that, I get House Beautiful. My beloved Domino is defunct and I am head over heels for interior design mags (“shelter” mags I believe they are called.) I also read Lonny religiously http://www.lonnymag.com which is basically Domino, just online-only.
I’m a sucker for gossip mags too but don’t subscribe…can’t stomach the price to get them delivered weekly when the gossip blogs are free :)
September 1st, 2010 at 9:21 am
After I had my first baby I started getting one magazine without even asking for it. I don’t know how they know, maybe the hospital gives out your name?
I did get Mothering magazine, which sometimes was a little too “crunchy” for me, but since I leaned towards the ideas they encourage, it was nice to read there were people even more over the top than I was about things. That kind of sounds mean and I don’t mean it that way at all. Just that when I was getting ragged on by my friends for doing something, sometimes it was nice to have a magazine tell me it was fine and not only that but I could take it farther and they wouldn’t think I was crazy or wrong.
I didn’t find many of the parenting magazines too helpful. Most of them had things in them that I already knew…but maybe that was because I worked in a daycare from the time I was old enough to have a job until I got my real job as a kindergarten teacher so maybe I had more experience than most people do with kids.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:49 am
I have a subscription to Runners World right now but find it to be very repetitive. I don’t think I’ll renew when it runs out. I used to buy Glamour regularly but haven’t bought it in months. I guess I would rather spend my time and money on books and read magazine and newspaper articles online!
September 1st, 2010 at 10:00 am
I agree with you about Vanity Fair. I was surprised, in fact, that not one of the comments on that post recommended it.
September 1st, 2010 at 10:38 am
Good topic…..since I am in the purging mood lately (thanks to our new roommate coming Baby T) we took to the recycling bin 3 full bags of magazines yesterday. I have no more subscriptions I beleive. I am stuck with Lucky (that I don’t even open that often or ever) cause another magazine went under that I had a subscription to and it was replaced with Lucky.
Other than Dave’s subscriptions, I am kinda done with magazines for a while. Too much effort to get rid of them and they pile up. I will say that I do enjoy reading GQ that Dave gets.
September 1st, 2010 at 11:09 am
I think my favourite magazine is probably Real Simple- it’s so beautifully put together and has really helpful hints! I buy cute fashion magazines to go through once a month for inspiration, but I’m definitively not a cosmo girl. The advice in there makes my skin crawl!
September 1st, 2010 at 11:18 am
I used to read SO many magazines. Now, not so much. The only magazine I consistently read is Runner’s World, and that’s even a bit spotty for me.
I also like to pick up the occasaion “Cook’s Illustrated” as they tend to have great recipes (with VERY detailed instructions… which I love since I am not so great at ‘winging it’ in the kitchen).
September 1st, 2010 at 11:30 am
I have to say I’m not a fan of magazines in general. The only one I have ever subscribed to though is the Economist. I like the snippets of political news it gives. However I don’t usually have time to get to it because it too comes out weekly. Wish it was monthly or biweekly instead.
Books on the other hand, I have a liiiitle addiction to.
September 1st, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I’m not much of a periodical person anymore. For a while I had a subscription to National Geographic magazine. I can’t remember why I cancelled it -- probably too busy to keep up with it. However, when I was a girl I was all over Seventeen, Cosmo, and any other glossy women’s magazines I could get my hands on. I have no interest in them anymore, now that I’m older and wiser.
September 1st, 2010 at 12:07 pm
You will probably want to wait a few years, but Family Fun has really good ideas for crafts, activities and food for kids. It is especially good if you are short on ideas or creativity.
I’m not a fan of Parenting. Don’t really read other parenting magazines anymore. I like my Better Homes and Gardens, but more for the pictures than the reading.
September 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
I don’t really read any parenting magazines--isn’t that what the internet is for? ;-) Occasionally I’ll read one in the pediatricians office, but not much else.
We get 4 magazines at my house: Wired and Popular Science for my husband (love Wired’s articles--loathe their layout), and Rolling Stone and Real Simple for me. I probably won’t renew either when they’re up though, even though I love the food section in Real Simple.
September 1st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I have no clue. But I say, I’d be keen on you continuing to get a magazine or two that has nothing to do with parenting and just for your own relaxation and enjoyment…
September 1st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I don’t subscribe to any magazines but I will admit to buying People whenever I fly. Reading People while waiting for a flight is my guilty pleasure!
September 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
The only magazine I get is Real Simple. It’s feeds the organizational nazi within me.
September 1st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I didn’t read any parenting magazines (and promptly gave away the unsolicited ones that came in the mail). I rely on BabyCenter.com to put whatever I need to know about my child in my inbox.
Other than that, I love my Atlantic Monthly subscription, TIME and a gifted subscription to Lucky (which I will probably not be renewing on my own). I lerved Domino and was so sad that it didn’t survive.
September 1st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I got bored with Real Simple because everything seemed a bit expensive to me. “Here’s a great way to organize your home on a budget! Go buy this small photo box, only $38 at Pottery Barn, for lots of storage!” I used to read Self, and will occasionally pick it up in the store, but I’ve read some quotes from their editor that gave me a bad feeling about her body image philosophies and the magazine in general.
I’m a sucker for UsWeekly though. 9 times out 10 I’ll grab it in the grocery store line.
September 1st, 2010 at 4:13 pm
I never really got into the whole parenting books/sites/mags. I loved reading pregnancy sites but after the babies came I relied on family and close friends who had been there for advice. With all the issues with Hannah now people have recommended some books to me and I have considered reading them. It’s just not my thing to read advice books or articles I guess. BUT I will say that even though I’m a mom, I LOVE LOVE US weekly and People.
September 1st, 2010 at 4:54 pm
My g/f got me totally hooked on The New Yorker. I love it.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:18 am
I have this horrible aversion to baby magazines. It largely has to do with the fact that American Baby used to show up at my house, without fail, on the day my period started. Somehow, the universe had convinced American Baby that I already had a baby, and I could not get them to stop sending me that damn magazine.
I peruse the parenting magazines now when I’m at the OB or MFM, but I’ve never found anything in them to be particularly helpful. They also tend to gloss over developmental information, which drives me nuts.
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I love Self Magazine, even though I’m sure they recycle articles too. But my most favorite is one that wouldn’t apply to you -- it’s called Sunset -- and it’s food, travel and gardening articles all for the west coast. SO great. Maybe they have something similar for your region? Oh, I’m also an O Magazine reader.
That babywearing thing was very interesting. :)
September 4th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Have you read UTNE? A friend gifted me a year subscription once and I really enjoyed it. if you like topics that get you thinking, but aren’t necessarily super deep, you might like this one.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:06 am
As a current subscriber to Vanity Fair, I guess my suggestion would be to re-subscribe. I love the articles each month. Very well written and very informative.