Friday, February 28, 2014

Claviers Piano Explorer

Claviers Piano ExplorerThis magazine is designed for piano students not teachers as the other reviewer mistakenly thought. It is a 16-page publication with interesting bios of composers and music history to spark students' interest. Although intended for piano students, many of the articles feature information that is of interest to students who play other instruments. My kids love the puzzles and games that are based on the articles. If you know a young piano student, get them this great magazine.

I'm writing as a teacher who gives this to my students. The cost of the magazine is covered in my annual Registration Fee. My students really enjoy Piano Explorer. I use it to supplement my teaching. It has compositions from other kids in it, it will have a composer listed every month, with recommended pieces to listen to. It has practice tips for the kids, recital tips, and some theory. I have really enjoyed using this for my students year after year. It's light easy reading for kids. My answer to the person who said it was too short, it's only $5.00 per child for the year (which is a great price) when you have a studio of 10 or more students to give it to.

It's great, when you as a teacher tell a student something multiple times, they don't get it, and SUDDENLY, VOILA! There it is in the magazine giving you credibility!

I do wish, however it had some jazz articles in it. It's mainly classically based.

Buy Claviers Piano Explorer Now

Received the magazine in good condition. My piano playing son is very excited about it. It has a good variety of content. Only deficit is that it is only a few pages.

Read Best Reviews of Claviers Piano Explorer Here

You must be kidding me! This is not a magazine, just a few pages of easy-reading articles. It is literally 3 to 5 pages. When I first got it I thought it was some kind of an ad or something.

Want Claviers Piano Explorer Discount?

Hopscotch : the Magazine for Girls

Hopscotch : the Magazine for GirlsA friend gave us her back issues of this magazine. It is full of fun, ideas, and experiments. I like the idea of no advertisements. I like that there's no agenda of trying to make little girls grow up too fast (no make-up, hair styles, fashion, etc.). Not sure if they still do this, but there's a section where you can get a pen pal through the magazine. Several letters were from home schooled kids. I wouldn't down-grade product that tells you in the description that it takes 12-16 weeks to arrive. It does sound like a long time, but it was disclosed upon ordering.

I ordered this magazine along with Fun for Kidz two years ago. My girls love them and even use them for school. There are no inappropriate articles and no advertisements. I have had no problem and have renewed and ordered for friends. I would recommend these magazines.

Buy Hopscotch : the Magazine for Girls Now

I was prepared for a long wait but was surprised to see it in the mail after only 3 weeks of ordering. It's very educational, fun and my daughter loves the craft projects. Oh and best of all, it has no ads. Yay!

Read Best Reviews of Hopscotch : the Magazine for Girls Here

I ordered this for Christmas for my neice as well as 2 magazines for my nephews, her brothers. They received their magazines within 6 weeks. She didn't receive the first one until May, the second arrived in September. She should have received every 2 months. I am looking for a different magazine for her for this year.

Want Hopscotch : the Magazine for Girls Discount?

When ordering this magazine you have to wait a very long time before the first magazine arrives. I ordered this magazine for my niece in March and it is now May. The first magazine is suppose to arrive late May early June. I cannot give this product a good rating because the product has not yet arrived.

Save 31% Off

Home Theater

Home TheaterThere are so few magazine publishers these days. This used to be a great magazine, but like so many other little magazines, it has been sucked up by a larger publishing house and the overall quality has suffered ever since.

It is interesting to read about the absolute best products that are out there, but it would also be cool and helpful to review all classes, from low to mid to high end. The truth about electronics is that you can get a huge improvement in quality by spending more, but once you reach a certain level of quality you have to shell out even more money for just small increments of quality. So why focus on the upper mid range and high end only?

Home Theater is my hobby and HTM was an excellent place to learn about the subject. They had engineers doing real tests and comparisons that had integrity. A few years ago the mag was sold to a large publisher who fired all the good people and brought in writers that should be working for Home and Garden Magazine.

The reviews we could once count on are now paid for by the advertisers so you can no longer draw any conclusions from them.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of my favorite publication.

Buy Home Theater Now

I have been a subscriber for about 5 years now. I love the equipment reviews! One reviewer complained that they only review expensive stuff but I dont agree with that at all. I have seen plenty of reviews for equipment that is priced for the average joe. Keep in mind though that home theater equipment isnt dirt cheep. Since when have tv's been cheap? Since when have good speakers been cheap? The magazine is about what equipment is going to be worth your money and provide a good experience not, "I got these bad boys for $50!" Anyways, another section I like in the mag is that they have articles and pictures of cool home theaters. Real theaters in peoples homes, not demo rooms in stores. As far as people having a bad experience with receiving the mag after they first order, maybe getting it here isnt the best way to order it. I dont know. I ordered my subscription straight from home theater mag (for the same price) or you can send in the typical paper square that comes in the mag. All I know is this, I will subscribe to this mag for years to come.

Read Best Reviews of Home Theater Here

This is one of the best Magazines ever, Or at least that's how Home Theater Magazine (HTM) would review itself.

HTM is a great magazine; they have an awesome editor, and great editorial columns. They have an excellent section listing all of the new HD video and audio products being released. HTM always does a great job of keeping you up to date with new technologies and FCC regs without making you read several pages of technical information. Additionally, HTM reviews both high-end equipment and low-end stuff most of us will actually buy. I've seen reviews on $30 mp3 players, and reviews on $15,000 amplifiers. The magazine is colorful, well laid out, easy to read, and is completely spotless of any offensive material.

Where does HTM fail? I have yet to see something reviewed below 83%. And it isn't unlikely that everything reviewed in any given issue will be 90% and higher. I suppose HTM doesn't want to loose demo equipment by shelling out bad reviews. But honestly, it's hard to tell when MAG is serious about a product.

At any rate, HTM is a great home theater mag. After all, it has a low subscription cost and in the end it is enjoyable to read. I give it 4 stars I can't be too critical on people just because they are too positive.

Want Home Theater Discount?

Always a good Magazine...wish they would try more brands of TV's in their reviews....and maybe less on the audio side of things. But that is just my 2 cents.

Save 78% Off

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Religious Life

Religious LifeI have no idea what the heck you are talking about. I haven't ordered anything from you in a year. Ok so you rejected this the first time I told you because I didn't do it in enough words. So this time I am putting more words in here to help you understand that I have no idea what you are talking about. If anyone ordered anything here then it wasn't me. So now, is this enough words to satisfy the dumb computer program you are using to count words and to reject reviews that don't have enough words? I mean I can go on here for an hour or so. Hey I am tired as it is late but I am not really tired enough to go to bed yet. So once I get enough words on here (oops, almost made a spelling error) then I will probably check to see if I have any other email and then watch some tv.

OK? Thanks now and you all have a good day :)

The magazine, Religious Life, is a timely and faithful Catholic publication that focuses on all aspects of the consecrated life, especially highlighting communities that are members of the Institue on Religious Life (IRL), which was founded in 1974 by the Servant of God, John A. Hardon, S.J.

Buy Religious Life Now

Four Wheeler (1-year auto-renewal)

Four WheelerSubscribed for almost 10 years now. Great mag. Good read. Covers a wide array of off roading from extreme rocks, to super fast dunes, to stock SUV's going over tame trails, it has something for everyone.

This magazine contains a lot of useful information for people who will spend a lot of time modifying their vehicle. I have only recieved two issues so far and I have enjoyed reading the articles. I really like to go off-road but I like to do it so I can get somewhere amazing rather than to see what my vehicle can crawl over. I think this magazines serves the latter. But then I don't think any four-wheel drive magazine really caters to my interests perfectly.

Buy Four Wheeler (1-year auto-renewal) Now

The magazine covers a lot of different types of four wheel drive vehicles. It has relevant ads (we all like to drool over the newest gadgets, right?)

What it needs are some articles on guns. and maybe touch on huntin' dogs every now and then. It's definitely a good read and worth the few dollars they charge for each issue.

Read Best Reviews of Four Wheeler (1-year auto-renewal) Here

My husband loves this magazine! He is always looking forward to the next issue. I recommend this magazine to everyone who loves trucks / jeeps.

Want Four Wheeler (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

A great mag for all who enjoy offroading! Luv it... Good topic's and great pic's! And it offers a lot of ad's for new parts to help with custom builds. All around a good Mag....

Save 86% Off

Circuit Cellar

Circuit CellarI've been reading this magazine off and on since Electronics Now and Popular Electronics went down hill, and have been pleasantly suprised by the depth and quality of information provided. Design and implementation of topical projects are laid out and explained clearly along with the underlying theory. Don Lancaster always has an interesting spin on new products and ideas. If you're looking for insights into embedded systems development, look no further.

-but I'm not quite sure who it's for. It's just so cool, though, that probably doesn't matter. This month's issue has projects that use FPGAs, that generate RF test signals, that do encryption on PIC processors, and, well, lots of other stuff. It's all at that place where analog circuitry, digital design, and software become interchangeable, like that software tone detector people would have implemented as an analog filter back when.

So who is likely to enjoy this magazine? Serious electronics hobbyists, for sure, garage robot-builders and gadgeteers, engineering students at any level (grade school to grad school), and the people who teach those students or at least try to keep up. It's probably good for consultants who do electronic prototypes and one-offs, where fast turnaround and proof of principle matters more than volume production or FAA certification. And I bet it's good for any hardware engineer who wants to know more about software, or vice versa. It's for anyone who thinks embedded system development is just plain fun, if you do it right.

Who's not going to read this? Well, it's not a trade rag, so there's nothing about industrial deals and dealmakers. It's not an academic journal, and math is at the upper-high school level, at most. It's not for the hardened pro, except maybe as a way to unwind from a day of serious engineering or research.

It's a little quirky, and it's a bit away from my interests these days. But it helps me remember why I got into engineering in the first place `cuz it's a blast!

//wiredweird

Buy Circuit Cellar Now

Circuit Cellar occupies a unique place in the world of electronics literature. Its scope (embedded systems) is a little too limited and the articles a little too advanced and discipline-specific to serve most of the dwindling hobby community. On the other hand, the magazine carries an enthusiasm and a sense of fun that's rarely seen in professional magazines.

This magazine won't do much good for a beginning electronics aficionado, but it's a godsend for advanced hobbyists and for professional engineers and technicians who love their field.

Read Best Reviews of Circuit Cellar Here

I'm an experienced electronics and embedded systems engineer, and also a hobbyist. I somewhat agree with other reviewers that CC is too shallow for professionals and too hard for novices. However, in every issue I always find useful bits of information and inspirational ideas for my next project at work or home.

Want Circuit Cellar Discount?

There is no better publication if your enthusiasm for making things still equals your desire to understand the digital world student, hobby builder, or pro. Not trivial, but not pedantic. Very how-to, projects by readers not writers. Will not waste your time.

Save 16% Off

Foreign Affairs

Foreign AffairsI have to admit that when I subscribed to this magazine for the first time about five years ago, I did so out of a sense of duty to educate myself about all of the foreign policy and political things that I wasn't taught in school. It did seem a little dry from the get-go, but now I am a Foreign Affairs junkie, so to speak. Those who contribute articles to this magazine are professors, politicians, heads of state, and other great (and occasionally not-so-great) thinkers of our times. One gets the perspectives of world events from educated individuals from all over the world, not just America, and sometimes the points of view are very different than those of the American media. I also appreciate that Foreign Affairs publishes articles that almost seem to foreshadow news events (they were covering background on Kosovo before newscasters in this country even knew where Kosovo was.) From reading this magazine one can see that very few problems in the world are "overnight" or occur "out of nowhere" but are usually the result of problems and conflicts that have been happening for some time, if only out of the spotlight of the Western mainstream media. The analysis in these articles is deep many articles are over twenty pages long. The reader is left feeling more enlightened and not as if the issue has just been "glossed over." I enjoy reading the Letters to the Editor as well. It is great to see an article rebutted by another area expert who provides his or her insight to the problem at hand. Also,the list of contributors to Letters to the Editor reads like a list of Who's Who in Politics. It is amazing to see the people in government, here and abroad, who read this magazine. Probably more of them should.

Foreign Affairs is mandatory reading for the serious student of global diplomacy. The comments, essays and book reviews in this bimonthly publication are always well researched, written and presented in a straightforward fashion. Moreover, Foreign Affairs will consistently crystallize contemporary thinking on a vast array of foreign subjects.

I often wonder how Editor James Hoge manages to regularly tap the finest minds in the world for each issue. Certainly, the editorial staff of this outstanding publication is dedicated to the highest standards of excellence as well making sure that Foreign Affairs represents provocative worldwide cutting edge schools of thought.

Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia, France, Mexico or Colombia...you name it, Foreign Affairs examines it in great detail. To this end, there is no hot spot in global affairs that does not considerable academic or journalistic attention. Foreign Affairs will also focus on sensitive issues such as French Anti-Americanism or Bush's Nuclear Follies with clear and concise observations. I cannot think of a mainstream publication in the United States with the courage and vision to cover such important ground.

Bert Ruiz

Buy Foreign Affairs Now

The only magazine I read from cover to cover is Foreign Affairs, published by the distinguished bi-partisan Council on Foreign Relations. Ideas and issues presented in each issue are discussed six months later in the news. A recent example of this phenomenon is the publication of Daniel Yergin and Michael Stoppard's The Next Prize, about strategic issues surrounding the future of natural gas as an energy source. The article appeared in late 2003, and since then the concerns raised in the article have reverberated in business publications, energy conferences and Sunday talk shows.

Since my childhood I have thought of Foreign Affairs as an influential publication in leadership circles. Over a quarter century ago, I remember reading that Henry Kissinger promoted Daniel Patrick Moynihan as US Ambassador to the United Nations on the basis of an article he wrote in Foreign Affairs. As the founder of a company dedicated to cultural and business travel to Russia, I need to stay ahead of the knowledge curve with regards to the world, rather than just be informed of events. I find Foreign Affairs to be the single most valuable tool to stay informed about foreign policy, trends in world affairs, and current political thought.

Read Best Reviews of Foreign Affairs Here

I've been reading FA since 2001 and have found it to be consistently good. There are only six issues each year, so I have time to read it front to back each time. The articles are more in-depth than something you might read in the Economist or other weekly news magazine. This is not something you read for headlines, but something you read for issues.

FA seems to me to be non-partisan. Condi Rice, Chuck Hagel, and Donald Rumsfeld get space to write, but so does Madeline Albright and Samuel Berger.

Recent articles I liked: "How to Counter WMD" by Ashton B. Carter, "How to Stop Nuclear Terror" by Graham Allison, and "The Outsourcing Bogeyman" by Daniel W. Drezner.

Want Foreign Affairs Discount?

FOREIGN AFFAIRS makes no apology for its antiquated typescript, large print, and generally stodgy appearance. It hardly needs to.

It is simply one of the consistently finest sources of foreign policy discussion available from an American (thus *foreign* policy means USA vis-à-vis the world) point of view. The design folks have correctly discerned that toying with appearances could only interfere with a train that rolls just fine as it is.

FA is often the vehicle of choice for American foreign policy officers who have moved on to think tanks and other private sector roles. For example, see the Richard Holbrooke (he of the Dayton Accords) piece entitled 'Liberalism and Foreign Policy' in the most recent (July/August 2006) issue available to this reviewer.

The voice most often heard in FA is decidely that of the Washington establishment, broadly defined. Yet the editors occasionally toss in a dissenting viewpoint like that of Hugo Chávez' Ambassador to the US ('A Benign Revolution: In Defense of Hugo Chávez', July/August 2006) for color.

The writing is well informed and superbly edited. Roundtable discussions on issues of concern are common, as are themed issues. Again from the recent issue, the topic 'The Rise of India' provides space for four essays entitled 'Unshackling the Economy', 'India's Global Strategy', 'America's New Partner?', and 'The Kashmir Conundrum'. FA's genius lies in that the globe's foreign policy experts will have digested these contributions with great care, yet the business traveler on her first trip to India can easily do the same on the first flight of her journey. Such is the quality of FA's editorial work.

Long-time readers often discern an editorial drift to the right or the left, a perception that may owe as much to the changing currents of international affairs and the constantly moving matrix in which any statement must be written and read as to any real shift in the journal's political leanings.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS is a must read for career internationalists, a worthwhile educational tool for those who want to know what America's brightest (thought not always most in touch with facts on the ground) policy makers are thinking, and a diversion for hobbyists whose curiosity regularly yanks them tornado-like out of Kansas.

Save 26% Off

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

American Bankruptcy Law Journal

American Bankruptcy Law JournalIf you are an insolvency attorney, you should be reading this journal And attending the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. If I were new to bankruptcy as a practice area I would start with Bankruptcy and Related Law in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) for Chapters 7 and 13, and Chapter 11 Business Reorganizations: For Business Leaders, Accountants And Lawyers for Chapter 11.

Orlando Magazine (1-year auto-renewal)

Orlando MagazineThis is the magazine for getting the information on who's who, what to do, where to go and what's up in Orlando, Florida. It gives the inside information on the players in Orlando and has fabulous articles. It is not only an informative magazine, but incredibly beautiful too! I look forward to every issue!

I find this magazine a nice capture of what is going on in Orlando. While I miss Scott Joseph's food reviews, (He's at Orlando Home and Leisure at the time I'm writing this review) I enjoyed the reviews in the 7/2010 and 8/2010 issues.

Calendar listing is great and the annual dining awards are reason enough to subscribe.

Buy Orlando Magazine (1-year auto-renewal) Now

We live in the northeast but vacation in the Orlando area when we can. This magazine has good information about local entertainment and restaurants as well as information about the housing market and the health care system. Very informative magazine for someone looking for more than Mickey Mouse in Orlando [no disrespect meant to Mickey!].

Read Best Reviews of Orlando Magazine (1-year auto-renewal) Here

old, I almost fall asleep looking though Orlando Magazine... not much readable content... full of advertorials paid by advertisers...there are much better choices in the city...

I like Orlando Style magazine...

they also have the magazine online plus exciting social pictures and events.

Great content with beautiful photography. If you really like to know about Orlando look up this website and subscribe to this magazine.

Want Orlando Magazine (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Cruising World (1-year auto-renewal)

Cruising WorldI have subscribed to Cruising World for well over 5 years. It is a wonderful magazine devoted to crusing and for those with the dream to go cruising. If your land-locked but someday want to cruise the ocean blue, subscribe to this magazine, read it cover to cover every month, look at the vibrant pictures and keep the dream alive.

Cruising World Magazine is a monthly publication containing cruising, chartering, sailing and sailboats reviews. The magazine articles covers sailing experience levels from the learner to world cruisers and deal with on board cooking and food, sailing performance, anchorages and anchoring, boat maintenance and boat equipment. There are personal and friendly articles where the author takes you along on their voyage seeing sights, meeting local people, different foods, entertainment and cultures. The magazine is a pleasure to read cover to cover. If you need to see more about the magazine, then go to the free Cruising World web site at

Buy Cruising World (1-year auto-renewal) Now

My husband and I look forward to every issue. This mag caters to every level, from gnarly old sailors to weekend hobbyists. Great stories, not too many ads. We learn something new with every issue.

Read Best Reviews of Cruising World (1-year auto-renewal) Here

I find it an excellent mix of how to DIY repairs and reporting on great crusing destinations.

You should try it.

Want Cruising World (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

I used to read and was a regular subscriber to the now defunct Lattitudes and Attitudes magazine. When the owners of L&A made a bad business decision that cost them the loss of L&A, I had to find another boating magazine. This is an outstanding replacement for L&A. In fact, this is a much better magazine than L&A. I wish I had found this one sooner. I would never have subscribed to L&A and lose my money with them due to their stupid way of doing, or should I say not doing business. This is a professional looking and professionally put together magazine. If you enjoy boating or dreaming of boating, this is a great magazine. Soundings is another great boating magazine. I highly recommend both, but if you had to pick just one, I would pick Cruising World.

Save 73% Off

Navy Times

Navy TimesI get this subscribtion every year for my retired Navy father. He loves to get it, and had stopped his delivery due to personal finance reasons. So I hopped on Amazon, and ordered it up to be delivered to his house and have been doing so for four or five years now.

The articles help him stay in touch with all the changes in the Navy since his retirement in 1977. When you are retired, a good read on a regular basis really improves the quality of life...So I would highly recommend it or go with the Army, or Marines, or Air Force Times if you have a loved one with connections to those services.

Thank you to all who served (I did 20 myself and have one of my sons deployed now.)

Flex (1-year auto-renewal)

FlexI like this magazine a lot better than Muscular Development magazine. MD claims to be the biggest magazine, but that's to their disadvantage. MD is too hardcore, but after a while all the articles contain the same content. All of the pages are a lot of the same old stuff. Flex magazine is new and fresh every month. It is a little bit commercialized, but it makes it able to be read by either male or female workout enthusiasts/bodybuilders. It is filled with a lot of unorthodoxed workout routines to help add some spice to a plateauing workout. I used to subscribe to Flex, but switched to see what all the hype was about on all the other magazines. Now I'm back and I would definitely recommend this magazine to anyone who works out.

Flex is a great magazine. I'm not afraid to say it, but what I am afraid to say is that every person in this magazine is on about a thousand dollar a month steroid budget. I liked the training tips given, however, and I think that the routines are well-rounded, and give people much more muscle. If you are an incredibly intense musclehead, then this magazine is for you. If you are intrested in looking good rather then having "sick" biceps then try a magazine like Muscle and Fitness, a more fitness diversified magazine.

Buy Flex (1-year auto-renewal) Now

I am a tiny female who get this magazine due to the fact these guys KNOW what they are talking about when it comes to training, diet and form. Form is everything and it takes a long time to build a foundation for body building with heavier weights. I have learned more from this mag. than all the women's mags. put together. What works for them will work for me, just use less weights. I have begun training more seriously since I have found all the great info in this mag.

For GUYS, this is a MUST to see what the Big Boys are achieving. Really accurate, invaluable research and info.

SJW from Michigan

Read Best Reviews of Flex (1-year auto-renewal) Here

Magazine isn't as good as it used to be. They have definitely increased the amount of ad space they use.

Want Flex (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

Ok so I'll start off by saying this magazine could be great, because of the talent they have signed. But after about 6 issues, and two I didn't receive, which I will touch on later, I realized this magazine was total bull. I have seen so called interview after interview in their magazine contradicted by real life interviews online.

The magazine also tries to push products that have zero effect on your body, but a dent in you wallet, such as no2. No2 is not real, you can't effect that by taking crap in a bottle,.sorry but I went to college, I know better.

The service is garbage. They didn't send me two issues and both times gave me extensions on the magazine, and after the second time that they refused to send me the issue, the Mr Olympia issue mind you, I canceled my subscription.

This is vague but the experience was just bad, while my other magazine comes through every month, and delivers, this one falls well short.

About me, I'm 6'4, 270lbs, been training for 5 years, at 23 I have 4 years college experience which is in multiple fields, including biochemistry. This magazine didn't make sense to me, a natural bodybuilder, who educated himself and have sacrificed so much, you want an education, stay away from this magazine and read some stuff from Dorian Yates, his teachings are great for naturals.

Save 73% Off

Down Under Quilts

Down Under QuiltsBeautiful magazine and it is really great getting to know the world of quilters better. I have found that quilters everywhere have great hearts towards others. I have been buying from the newstands; but really need to subscribe to it. rjcravy

I absolutely echo the first review written by MawMawTX in April...I have been purchasing this magazine from newstands but sometimes it's not easy to find, and I am subscribing today...it will be hard to wait to receive my first issue. The photos are wonderful, and reading about quilters on the other side of the world really enlarges the world...it's nice to see other quilters' designs and ideas.

Buy Down Under Quilts Now

Monday, February 24, 2014

Martha Stewart Living (1-year auto-renewal)

Martha Stewart LivingThis is a fine magazine with truly scrumptious recipes if you're into the kitchen/food thing, home ideas that one can actually use (or that will inspire one to do something similar), and exquisite photography, usually quite stark and simple, of ways to enhance the aesthetic beauty of one's life.

One can serve a plain meal of soup and bread, and make it look like a feast, if you get into Martha's way of looking at things, and it does not take a spending spree to have a "Martha Look". Her basic table settings tend to be white china (one can use mix and match white plates from the local thrift store), clear glass, and colorful fabric...add some well shaped twigs in a glass vase for a centerpiece, and voila ! you have a table that could be shown in this lovely magazine; a rule for "The Look" seems to be the absence of clutter.

Of the regular monthly articles, I like "Ask Martha", which solves problems posed by readers, from health issues to how best to clean your eyeglasses, to "How can I get the coating on my chicken to stay in place when I am frying it ?".

"Clip-Art Craft" is another I appreciate, where in the August '04 edition for example, there are attractive templates for postcards, which one can copy onto card stock, glue a 4 x 6 photo to, and send to your friends. It's another grand idea from Martha !

You'll find articles on antiques, pets, gardening, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and much more, and on the last page, the yummy "Cookie of the Month".

Martha Stewart has brought style and good merchandise at affordable prices for those of us who are budget conscious, but like nice things. I have bought her bedding, and her bathroom accessories have graceful shapes and are an excellent value, and this magazine is one of my favorite aspects of the "Martha industry". The Patricians I know are not usually kind to Martha, but Proles & Plebes like me tend to greatly appreciate her.

Martha, we're going to stick by you through thick and thin !

I have been subscribing to Martha Stewart for ages. I love her TV show...and while I think she is a mildly obsessed person to take on all her tasks, I have learned many valuable tips from her magazines. I consider myself a pretty crafty person and I owe alot of great ideas to the Great One.

These past two years however, I have noticed a huge change in the quality of her magazine subscription. In the beginning, she devoted many pages to crafting and collecting, a few pages to great recipes and gardening...but now all I see anymore are expensive ads. Literally, her magazine has grown into a very hefty 40% ad content. I give her credit for choosing elegant and high style ads as sponsers, but as I flip through the pages ALL I notice now are designer, perfume, clothing, and bedding ads. I sometimes wonder if amidst all the new crafty and quickly blooming Martha-style versions of her own creation, if she needs more and more money from these sponsers to support the turn-out of her subscriptions. And yes, I have begun to leaf through some of these new "good things" take-offs. Many are great and do not have all the clutter of unwanted ads. I think, for myself, this might be my last year with Martha...it's time to try something new(and a lot less expensive). As a true fan though, I still highly recommend her fabulous TV show and her published books on cooking, gardening, and crafting. You will find no annoying fillers in her beautiful, harcover books.

Buy Martha Stewart Living (1-year auto-renewal) Now

Martha Stewart Living magazine--one of many of Martha's current projects--is a magazine that traverses all levels of domestic life, attempting to ameliorate household problems and enhance every day urban and suburban living. In its glossy pages, helpful ideas, recipes, tips, and steps for everything from upholstering furniture to planting those trees you never seem to have the time to plant, abound. Special features like "Ask Martha" cover ideas and topics the magazine would never have time to cover through its highly structured articles. While, many of these articles feature things we'd never attempt to complete, "The Guide" offers ways to procure the various elements and ingredients required to accomplish these creations and feats of ingenuity. "Special" themed issues, focus on everything from gardening to decorating, and are great reference sources when remodeling your house or planting a burgeoning bush of roses.

Still, Martha Stewart Living is not without its faults. Copious amounts of advertisements abound, and easily annoy when trying to locate a certain article or feature. Martha's pretentious style and language, which seems to transcend her television show, subtracts and adds to the content of the articles, depending on the subject matter. But the greatest foible of this magazine is the fact that Martha has very little hand in the writing, composition, and photography of the articles. Perhaps her three television shows, commitment to her stock on the New York Stock Exchange, her other magazines (including "Baby," "Kids," and "Weddings"), books, and various K-mart "Everyday" lines take away a majority of Martha's time, but one would think that she'd attempt to include more self-penned articles than simply "A Letter from Martha" and "Remembering" features within the magazine, considering she slaps her name almost everywhere else in the magazine. To compound matters, Martha has over-saturated the market, causing less time to be spent on the magazine, and consequent quality irregularities and size differences (ranging from one hundred and fifty pages to three hundred pages per issue) within the magazine.

Despite some glaring negative points of the magazine, one cannot help but indulge in a subscription and the brief peek into the life of the social elite and well-connected, even just for a few pages.

Read Best Reviews of Martha Stewart Living (1-year auto-renewal) Here

It seems that in the past six months, Living has gone the way of two other of my once-favorite magazines, Gourmet and Bon Appetit. Whether this is a result of new editors/staff or a sign that Martha (and her "people") are finally running out of new things to do, I cannot be sure. What I can say is that this is not the Living I first fell in love with years ago.

For one, the projects (and some recipes) have become overwrought, in that many of them require materials and/or tools which are either difficult or expensive to acquire. My best example of this is December 2008's issue, which featured Christmas cookies made using vintage Springerle molds. (I believe that in the same issue, an ornament project also featured the use of these molds, not to mention special clay AND paints.) My point is, at one time you could turn to Living for Christmas cookie recipes and find new and inventive ways to make your ordinary kitchen ingredients into veritable visual and gustatory masterpieces. Now the same task requires that you have vintage tools, specialty ingredients, and an aesthetic for all things faux-boix. Could it be that Martha's people are scraping the bottom of the rare, flea-market-find inspiration barrel? I fear so.

I ought to note at this point that, where projects/recipes are NOT overwrought, they seem to be little more than recycled ideas from isssues past, with a few tweaks here and there (insert stand-up table place markers in the shape of _________ here, fabric-covered corkboards and shoeboxes there, the ubiquitous fruit-liquor gelatins and drab, stale-looking cookies of the month everywhere...)

No less disheartening are the pages and pages of glossy ads I find myself ripping from the magazine each month, an act which literally reduces the issue to half its original size. The two most recent issues went from my mailbox to my couch to the recycling bin within two or three hours. March's gardening issue focused less on actual gardening tips and techniques than it did on the landscaping/garden design of a few notable (and no doubt stinking rich) individuals, and the requisite familiar, tiring features on cut flower arrangements and houseplants. April's "Easter/Passover Issue" was not really that at all, save for a few passover recipes and easter crafting projects.

All in all, aside from the occasional gem I might mine from "Good Things" or craft project which does NOT require a Swiss bank account, I am increasingly underwhelmed by each issue of Living that slinks its way into my mailbox each month. It's kind of like the sibling who visits monthly and who can never seem to quite pull his life together: each month you search for a subtle shift, a brightening, any change whatsoever, desperate to find your loved one in some way redeemed, only to be disappointed by the same patterns, the same dismal staleness once again.

Want Martha Stewart Living (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

There is a reason that people place ads on Craigslist looking for old Martha Stewart magazines, and why they sell for a pretty penny on Ebay. Martha Stewart Living is a great magazine for those who really like to try their hand at creation of all sorts.Being a thirty-something gal who is learning to cook, bake, garden, can, decorate and entertain, I am in love with this magazine. Not only is it beautiful from cover to cover with stunning photography and eye-catching layouts, it is filled with ideas and inspiration for young women like myself who are coming into their adult lives who want to make a house feel like a home and who want to host signature events.

Having grown up fed processed foods and taking weekly family grocery trips to the Costco, I never knew the power of tending a garden or making jam. Now,I feel empowered when I create pizza dough from scratch, or make my home beautiful for a party, or create that special greeting card with help from this magazine. Martha Stewart Living is a reminder to all of us that we can do things for ourselves.

Some reviewers have said that ideas in the magazine are out-of-touch, or too costly due to specialized equipment, and that is true. Some of the ideas in this magazine are not five and dime craft time with baby projects some are very sophisticated and I appreciate that, even if I cannot participate myself just yet. Most the ideas in this magazine are very accessible to anyone who can afford the subscription. SO much so that for Christmas I bought a gift subscription for my best friend who lives far away from me. Each month, we call each other the day our magazines arrive and get excited about the new ideas together.

My Martha Stewart Living magazines are craft/entertainment library treasures. I look at them time and time again and cannot imagine ever not wanting to keep each issue now isn't that saying something about the quality of the product? I think so.

Save 53% Off

Muse

MuseMuse is an exceptional magazine. Though it is aimed at "tweens", gifted readers from about age 7 up can appreciate it. Parents may wish to pre-read or discuss controversial pieces with their children. There are plenty of interesting articles on a variety of topics. Recent issues have covered stone disks in the Yap islands, gamers making real money from selling virtual goods, racial prejudice, genetics, and snowflakes.

Muse magazine does not contain any advertising, other than subscription offers from the publisher. It's quite refreshing. Some of my family's other magazines (Sports Illustrated Kids, for example) are filled with ads for junk food and toys.

A full page in Muse is always devoted to Larry Gonick's "Kokopelli & Company", a cartoon featuring the magazine's quirky cartoon mascots. These tiny creatures also cavort on pages throughout the magazine. Bo's Page is another regular feature. Here, readers may learn about a scientific experiment to discover how ants find their way home, or why gorillas eat wood, and vote as to whether humans will survive to the year 2100. The Q & A section has answers to queries submitted by readers. Examples questions are "would time travel actually be possible?" and "what happens when you blow a (soap) bubble in winter?" . Robert Coontz and Rosanne Spector provide clear, and often humorous, answers. Ivars Peterson is the Muse math guru. His "Math Page" offers suduko challenges and other math puzzles as well as articles such as "The Simpsons and Math". Every issue of Muse offers a contest of some sort, tucked into the corner of a two page spread honoring winners of the previous issue's contest. Kids are invited to become living art in a tableau vivant, or to design imaginary money.

I highly recommend Muse for both boys and girls.

If I listed the topics Muse covers, you'd never imagine

that anyone would be excited about it. It's just

so well done, though. My kids read it instantly,

cover to cover, and they even push it to their friend's

parents.

Even more oddly, most of it is good for adults, too.

At least, for adults who haven't had all the curiosity

and silliness beaten out of them. And, it's even right!

(I used an article in a University course I teach.)

It has a little of the flavour of Buckaroo Banzai,

of Dark Star (the Movie), of Larry Gonick's Cartoon Guides,

a touch of (but only a touch) of Horrible Histories...

There isn't anything quite like it. I hope they can

keep it up.

Buy Muse Now

Where to start? Muse always has great articles about science or sometimes an interesting story from history. One of the main things about them that stands out to me, is that they don't go down to the level of just plain pop-culture. They also don't take themselves too seriously, and this results in the magazine being very fresh, and incredibly funny!!!!! The arrival of Muse in my house always makes my week, and I promise, YOU WANT THIS MAGAZINE!!!!!!!!!!!

Read Best Reviews of Muse Here

When my 10 year old Grandson received his first issue he sat down and went through it non stop. He is still quoting it.

Want Muse Discount?

I purchased a subscription for my 7-year old niece who loves it! She actually shares and reads each issue to her younger brothers.

Save 24% Off

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Das Fenster

Das FensterI've subscribed for several years just to maintain my German language reading skill and to find sources for German goods. Even the men in my family like to read it because the variety of articles are bound to interest almost everyone at some time. Highly recommended. Too bad that most other German language periodicals are now defunct.

This is a general home periodical for German-speaking US residents and does a good job of connecting people here with the "old country". I got it as a gift to my parents who live in a retirement home

Buy Das Fenster Now

Inside Out - Australia

Inside Out - AustraliaThey pulled the plug on Domino and Cottage Living, and I was sad. Most American design magazines are too kitschy or too sterile. Also, I am so bored reading about how another privileged (insert here: architect, socialite, etc.) remodeled their entire house and just look at all the matchy-matchy, contrived rooms! With a budget of only a million $!

This magazine makes me want to move to Australia. The vibe is easy living, cool, for real people, not the one percent. It never fails to inspire me, and hey hey! I could actually afford to do some of the stuff in this magazine! The houses look like actual people, with actual children, live there, but still remain stylish and fun. This magazine is such a treat. So I treated myself and bought a subscription. I keep them under my coffee table, and they get re-read, or pass them on to my friends, who all love this magazine too...

Light of Consciousness : Journal of Spiritual Awakening

Light of Consciousness : Journal of Spiritual AwakeningI discovered this journal in a news stand at an organic market and found it fascinating throughout. I liked the discussions about Vedic as well as Buddhist and other philosophies. The articles show the ways in which the ancient wisdom traditions on enlightenment/awakening are closely related. There is just no argument about this, only different words used to describe the same experience. A refreshing read.

For some time I had been looking for an interfaith spiritual magazine at the level of seekers with some experience. This one is based in Hinduism but contains articles on other traditions and evidences religious tolerance. At a certain level of practice and experience the boundaries which divide us are just plain wrong thinking. This magazine would be a good basic education for beginners but also seems challenging enough for a well-worn traveller on the road. It is literate and sophisticated, and the graphics are beautiful and inspiring.

Buy Light of Consciousness : Journal of Spiritual Awakening Now

This magazine has become my favorite tool for my spiritual awakening. The articles are articulate, heart-felt, and easy to understand. Since they only have four issues a year, you have time to reflect upon each article and get the most from the writer. It also gives me time to read over several times and keep finding new things. I have found so much joy in this subscription and now family members are reading, too. This makes for positive conversation at family dinners. There is no political agenda and the magazine speaks of science as well as spirituality, which I think is important. I will be subscribing as long as they keep writing. Namaste.

Read Best Reviews of Light of Consciousness : Journal of Spiritual Awakening Here

Light of Consciousness is exactly the type of magazine I was searching for. The articles are short, well written and easy to understand. Keep up the good work.

Want Light of Consciousness : Journal of Spiritual Awakening Discount?

This magazine is full of thoughtful, useful spiritual reflection and advice written by people who are experienced on their own path. It's smart and inspiring, neither overly intellectual nor vapid. Everything is well written, and it's nicely put together, too. A unique magazine.

Save 28% Off

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Cross Country Skier

Cross Country SkierThe mag is not bad. It is only published in three issues a year. It seems to mainly focus on resorts. I would like it to focus a bit more on equipment, technique and on day-skiing sites (not just fly-to type resorts).

The editing could be tighter (spelling, grammer, puncuation). I subscribe to a sea-kayaking mag and the level of production seems a bit higher.

Save 13% Off

Poetry

PoetryPoetry Magazine from Chicago has been a fixture in the realm of American literature. It's the THE best and the least trendy, slick, topical publication on the market. There are works in all forms in all concerns and modes of expression plus terrific reviews as well as thought provoking essays. For the best deal on subscriptions, try to hold back until holiday time when they offer reduced prices through their website. If you love good literature treat yourself to these higher standards.

I like Poetry Magazine mainly because there is a variety of different poets and styles. There is always something different. This magazine has been around for awhile, and from what I have read in the newspaper about the huge amount of money they just received they are being careful and are making sure they make the right decisions. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for them.

I certainly hope they don't change the size or shape of the publication. It is the perfect size to carry in your purse just in case you want something to read as you wait in line or run your errands. I like the style of the magazine, it suits the topic.

Buy Poetry Now

Poetry magazine out of Chicago has been around since stew was invented. (When mankind first crawled up out of the swamp and discovered fire, what they had for dinner that night was stew). Well, ok, they're 75 years old and counting. You don't hang around that long unless you're the best. I first discovered them in a college library many, many years worth of copies it was a treasure trove of the 1st magnitude. There's invariably one or more poems (if not the majority)in each issue that'll make you glad you subscribed. No, they're not big on pictures (none but the cover and I remember one year when it was a drawing that didn't change for the whole year...urg) but it IS the best Poetry Magazine you will ever find.

Read Best Reviews of Poetry Here

The older I get, the more am I fond of poetry. This is partly due to my increasing appreciation of this literary/artistic form, and partly with my increasing vexation with short fiction and literature as it has been published in recent years. It seems to me that poets are increasingly the ones who take chances with subject matter and form, while short stories for instance increasingly feel like cafeteria food despite all the supposed outward differences, most stories increasingly "taste" the same. Consequently, I have started paying more attention to poetry in various fiction journals, and have eventually come across "Poetry" journal. What I found there immensely impressed me. The journal consistently publishes some really high-quality poems. The poems invariably explore the depths of this genre; they are fresh and oftentimes provocative without being programmatic. The journal also frequently publishes translations of foreign-language poems. This practice is much more prevalent in European poetry journals, and it's good to see it on this side of the Atlantic as well. There are also frequent critical essays on all aspects of poetry. In other words, this is one of the best and most original poetry journals that you could ever hope to come across. If you love poetry, you will not go wrong with subscribing with it. I'd just suggest that you shop around a bit for the best subscription deal.

Want Poetry Discount?

Bottom-Line: The asking price for subscription is steep but "Poetry Magazine" is well worth the asking price.

When I first started writing poetry, I did so as a cathartic release, a soul cleansing exercise I needed to survive a very trying time in my life. Somewhere along to 100th poem I became convinced that I just had to be published in order feel like a real poet. And so I started visiting on-line writing sites and posting my poetry there in hopes of being discovered. So much for that! But I did hear about a periodical called "Poetry Magazine" a publication that could help me hone my craft, improve my presentation and style, and well, get published.

"Poetry Magazine"--a for-profit periodical--is published twelve times per year, by the Poetry Foundation, which is "an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience." The magazine was founded in Chicago in 1912 by Harriet Monroe making Poetry Magazine the oldest monthly "devoted to verse in the English-speaking world." Poetry Magazine's stated mission is "to print the best poetry written today, in whatever style, genre, or approach." The magazine quickly established its reputation by publishing such notable poets as T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Marianne Moore, Wallace Stevens, H. D., William Carlos Williams, Carl Sandburg. As well as other well know and now celebrated poets.

Individual issues cost $3.75/U.S., $5.00 CAN, with a yearly subscription running $35.00 /$46.00 CAN, for a year; International subscriptions cost $46.00. I have had a subscription off and on for the past five years; it's on again.

"Poetry Magazine" is a publication for poets (and those who enjoy poetry) featuring the works of other poets. "Poetry Magazine" is not really a magazine about the art of writing poetry itself, but instead concentrates on publishing poetry of new and established poets. Do not open its mostly black and white print pages and expect articles about how to market your efforts or an in-depth analysis on how to write the perfect short story or craft the quintessential poem, you'll be disappointed. What you will find is a fairly unadorned little magazine that at most features as many as four poets at a time, publishing poems and or short stories by the authors. In other words, "Poetry Magazine" is strictly a reader magazine with most of its number pages devoted to the written word.

Some of the authors featured in the magazine are well known while others I have never head of before, but all make for a compelling read. I have to admit that I do not always read all of the poems, some are a little non-traditional for my tastes; instead I tend to skim the magazine and pick out interesting poems or short stories that speak to me.

"Poetry Magazine" is a thin volume with very few of its pages devoted to advertising of any sort. The magazine reminds me more of a book than a magazine mostly because of its unconventional size and format. The poems start right after the Table of Content and flow uninterrupted until the advertising/ announcements section, which only take up the last eight to ten pages of the typical magazine.

The only color you'll find in "Poetry Magazine" is on the cover, the rest of the magazine is printed in black and white. I supposed this to under-gird the magazine serious nature. "Poetry Magazine" is not a large tome, checking in at around 120 pages per issue.

In the final analysis I keep coming back to "Poetry Magazine" because the content is germane to where I'm at in my life right now. And because the magazine is small and I can usually get through an issue in a couple of nights. The asking price for subscription is steep but "Poetry Magazine" is well worth the asking price, if only because it introduces the reader to poets (s)he would otherwise have very little, or no exposure to.

Save 22% Off