Sparkle World

My 7 year old girl loves getting those in the mail. She can read the stories, color, do puzzles, write, draw, use recipes for making fruit desserts, play games etc. They also come with stickers. The magazine is colorful & has Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie, Moxie girlz, My little pony, Rainbow magic Polly, Angelina Ballerina, & lots of other lovable characters.

But I found a better price shopping on-line. It takes a few weeks to be delivered for the first time.

My daughter loves it!

My 4 year old LOVES this magazine. There are so many fun things for her in it. If you search the internet a bit, you will find this much cheaper at other sites. ()

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My daughter loves getting this in the mail every couple of months. There are so many different things to do in the magazine that it will keep her busy. There are stories and activities. She loves to see all of her favorite characters in one book.

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Catholic Digest - New Orders

After reading the heavy, intense works of apologetics like Scott Hahn and Karl Keating, not to mention intelligent and theologically strong writers such as Patrick Madrid, "Catholic Digest" is a nice step to the lighter side. Yes, I'll admit that "Catholic Digest" doesn't have the hardest hitting articles nor does it always make the reader think much, but it's nice to read a warm, fuzzy story sometimes.

It is very similar to "Reader's Digest" in its content, humor, and article style. Naturally, it does have quite the Catholic edge to it that the other "Digest" lacks, but I wouldn't go into a theology fight with it tucked under my arm. It's reserved more for those times when we want to laugh a little bit or read about a young child making a difference in their community. In recent issues, there have been a number of nice articles on individuals who are Catholic and in prominent places in society, lay volunteers, Pope Benedict's life, and Lourdes, France. None of these articles were very thought-provoking but they did supply the reader with some nice general information. However, the magazine has also tackled tougher issues recently such as the existence of evil as secular society and Christians view it and the Real Presence in the Eucharist that most non-Catholics do not believe.

I converted to Catholicism in 2000. In the years before making my final decision, "Catholic Digest" was one of the resources that I picked up. It didn't offer too much in the way of solidifying my decision to join the Church, but it did make some of bumps along the way a little bit softer.

Not all Catholic literature has to be tough and academic. Every once in awhile we need a good laugh or just a nice story of human compassion. That is what I believe "Catholic Digest" excels in doing. I love reading the works of Hahn, Keating, Madrid, and others, but every now and then I like to pick my latest copy of "Catholic Digest," peruse the "Words For Quiet Moments" or leaf through a short article about a Catholic missionary's work in some arid little town in the middle of nowhere. In other words, it gives you a nice little break from the madness that is a Christian life.

Granted, it is called 'Catholic Digest' but it lacks in the way too many Catholic publications lack... it doesn't get often enough into what it means to live out a Catholic faith in an everyday world.

It is very well-written, and has a sharp "Guideposts" or "Reader's Digest" feel about the look and tone.

Some articles in Catholic Digest can be poignant, but I want my faith challenged. I want to know how I can serve Christ Monday-Friday. Explain to me the Liturgy... why are various aspects of it important? What about what the Bible says about alcohol, or daily prayer? How about defining Mary's official role, dispelling the mistaken belief than she is equal to Christ (the question of veneration versus worship)?

The Protestant magazines are loaded with accounts about how God changed their lives. I'd like to see more of that. The Protestants have lots of Bible studies and that sort of thing in their magazines. Do I have to buy a Protestant magazine like "Discipleship Journal" "Moody Monthly" to learn how to be a better Christian? They're fine, but it seems with the long history of great theologians, someone could get a Catholic variation on all of that.

I think Catholic Digest is the best publication offered for Catholics. But I'd like more meat.

Anthony Trendl

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Having just subscribed to 12 issues of Catholic Digest, and having just browsed through a free copy, I am truly disappointed. This magazine is not the same magazine that I had subscribed to years ago and that it is not a truly Catholic magazine. As a number of other reviewers have pointed out here, and as some writers to the Editor have pointed out, the Catholic Digest has changed! The articles in this magazine have strayed away from the official doctrines of the church. Dissident writers like Andrew Greeley, sj, who have openly disagreed with the Holy See, have columns there. Although Pope JPII died on 3 April this year, the May issue of Catholic Digest made not a single mention about the pope. (Only the June issue started having articles on JPII.) Instead, the cover story in the May issue is about parishes that are being run by women but "women can't be ordained" and "lay people were complaining that clergy in the Church are all-powerful" (?!).

Truly, if the editors have any honesty left, they should either change its title or focus, and not dupe faithful Catholics into subscribing to a pseudo-Catholic magazine.

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If you are looking for Catholic news, culture, spirituality, history, apologetics, liturgical updates, or DOCTRINE, THIS is certainly NOT the magazine for you.

The articles featured in Cath.Dig. are HETERODOX (not orthodox), and stray -in tendency or in explicit terms -from the Magisterium of the Church.

Anti-Christian Feminism, Homosexual Activism, and general Modernist Revisionism and a rebellious "anti-Dogmalism" pervade the pages of "Catholic" Digest, though often (but not always) with veiled language.

For Catholics trying to get their faith straight, or Protestants and non-Catholics trying to find out more about what the Christian Faith is all about, STAY AWAY from this publication!!

As a cleric and a pastor of the Flock of God, I strongly urge you NOT to purchase this magazine.

The Rev. Enzo G. Selvaggi

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The Digest's cartoon in the December issue would be inappropriate in any magazine but in a Catholic magazine it borders on disgusting and blasphemous!!!

L. Giarratano

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Health (1-year auto-renewal)

In general many health magazines seem to focus on glamour and make you wonder what's wrong with you since you can't be a size 2, work out for 3 hours a day, balance a job, family and whatever else life throws your way. The magazine comes with several articles a month that focus on looking good, exercise plans, diet tips, stress relief, and a few that promote good mental health. I like this because its low key and sensible. This magazine isn't set out to change your life, but enhance what you have and show you a few new ideas.

I received two free trial issues in order to give the magazine a chance before subscribing. Boy, am I glad I didn't subscribe! The magazine is nothing but fluff good only for people who mostly want to flip through and look at pictures not for people who actually want informed articles and reports on health.

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I have subscribed to various magazines for years, and paid pretty prices too, but this modestly priced magazine is one of my favorites. It really has a variety of articles, fact based, no nonsense. I love the exercise part, I teach the yoga type exercises to my satff at work. This puts "self" to shame. Check it out for yourself . I give it as a christmas gift to my friends.

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I picked up a copy of Health at my local grocery store, mostly out of curiosity. I found myself enjoying it enough so that I will be ordering a subscription. Here's why:

1.It encompasses every facet of health, not just diet or exercise. As one reviewer noted, it is broken down into categories: Looks, Living, Moving, Feeling, and Flavor (it was just redone). The articles in each seem to be well-written and are enjoyable. I particularly enjoy the Feeling and Living sections, as they are something that is rarely found in other magazines.

2. Unlike many other magazines, I found myself marking or wanting to mark so many pages to keep or check out further that in ended up being a good part of the magazine. I, like most others, enjoy getting the most for my money.

While everyone has a different idea of what constitutes a "good" magazine, this one will soon be a regular fixture in our house.

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I was given HEALTH magazine as a gift, and have enjoyed six months worth at the present time. I'm a 40 something, formerly fit mother who still believes in herself enough to know that someday...I can be 'fit' again. This magazine seems right up my alley. It addresses common health issues with clear, short articles and yet isn't packed with ads so that the articles get lost. Some recipes, some exercises, some discussions, while remaining entertaining too.

You would be wasting your money if you are already fitness oriented and off to the gym to meet your trainer, but if you are in need of an encouraging, helpful, entertaining read that will inspire versus guilt you into getting healthier, this magazine is for you.

Update: 6/24/12

I've been an avid HEALTH reader for years now, and it DID inspire me to get healthier and fitter. Over time I've lost 22 pounds and lots of inches. I'm stronger and more knowledgeable (thanks in part to HEALTH) about health-related issues that are common with my age group. I met and maintained my goals by starting slowly, with realistic goals. Despite being a self-proclaimed 'gym rat' now, I still enjoy HEALTH magazine. HEALTH keeps it 'real' and I like that!

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Midwest Quarterly

You can subscribe to the Midwest Quarterly (Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762) directly for $15 ($20 outside the US). The new volume begins with the issue out in October every year, with issues coming in early January, April, and July.

Sky & Telescope

I've subscribed to this magazine for years even though my main interest is cosmology. Even professional astronomers subscribe so we highly recommend this magazine.

In my opinion, it's the most professionally done popular astronomy magazine, better than "Astronomy" and more focused than "Discovery." S&T has many gorgeous astro-photos, mostly done by pros with fab equipment as well as images from the Hubble. So why does the magazine devote more than half its pages and articles to amateur telescopes and accessories? Because that's what pays the bills! So I've packed up my telescope and left it in the garage, but I still subscribe because every issue has at least one article (feature or news) about science. The monthly star map, cepheid graph, and NEWS make the rapidly increasing subscription price still worth it.

Although I am a bigger fan of Astronomy magazine, I am a loyal subscriber to Sky & Telescope because I enjoy the detailed equipment and product reports, the book reviews, "Sky at a Glance," Event calendars, gallery, featured articles, and news notes. The companion website is awesome as well.

One intriguing section of the magazine always looks back to its past issues reminding readers how far the field of astronomy has come in the last century. This is actually a great context-providing feature that celebrates humanity's on going interest in the universe.

What I have observed--being a subscriber to both Astronomy and Sky & Telescope--is this: each magazine has its own unique personality, and each magazine potentially appeals to a kindred reader personality. Readers who like jazzy, topical, but engaging articles in an easy to thumb through, approachable format and language will enjoy Astronomy. [I am drawn to Astronomy's design and personality.] Readers who like an elegant, more formal format and who want to dig more deeply into astro-science concepts, into scientific data / analysis, or into product information may find Sky & Telescope more satisfying.

For me, subscribing to both magazines completes my astro diet--with all the necessary "food" (topic) groups included: Meal and dessert. It is interesting to see what each magazine emphasizes each month. Each magazine always offers something really cool and thought-provoking.

My best advice is try before you buy: go to a library or local news stand to view the current product of each magazine, and then decide which mag captures your interests, astro skill-level, and / or reader personality the most.

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I am a retired English Professor and amateur astronomer, and I have subscribed to Sky and Telescope for over 20 years. It is the most professionally produced magazine I have ever read.

Its writing is mature and superbly edited, its photographs are beautifully rendered, its staff continually improves the magazine through better editing and production, and it provides articles on a broad range of subjects: the latest space probes and research; the dating of paintings or historical events by the night sky; Hubble and amateur photographs; meteor showers; what's up in tonight's sky; star maps; calendars of events world-wide; reviews of telescopes, accessories, computer software, and books; and more.

Sky and Telescope is widely read by professional astronomers and is probably bought by more amateurs world-wide than any other astronomy magazine.

If you have never looked through a telescope, if you use a telescope often, or if you have a telescope that you have packed up, this magazine should stimulate you to go out to see the night sky and discover where we live and what we live for.

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S&T is a very specialized publication, dealing with astronomical observation and photography. If you are considering buying an astronomical telescope, or accessories for one, you'll want to consult this magazine. If you have any interest in photographing the night sky, you'll want to see the Gallery here, which has some truly breathtaking pictures. The magazine includes a star chart for the month, as you might expect. This is a great publication for regular, serious stargazers/photographers. More general-interest astronomy magazines are available.

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A magnificent magazine full of breathtaking photos and quality articles. Offers great advice for the hobbyiest. Not only does it keep one abreast of space science I think EVERYONE will find it highly inspirational. The articles that take on more technical topics in astronomy and Cosmology sometimes leave one wanting but those wanting more accurate and detailed information on these topics are guided by the magazine to other sources. The magazine walks a tightrope and more often than not it is successful.

Recommended

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Backhome

Backhome is published in the same town in NC that the original Mother Earth News was, uses some of the same authors and artists, and has the same friendly, practical, folksy feel that you've been looking for ever since.

Filled with information for young and old, rich and poor, city or country (but especially country), Backhome is a good magazine from good people for the good life. You'll enjoy garden-fresh recipes, tons of how-to articles for the homestead, information on animals and herbs, reusing and making do, and humor to make the true back-to-the-lander smile and nod. If you enjoyed the classic Mother Earth News, come Backhome again.

This magazine is more like a good booknot many ads, with excellent articles and no fluff. It seems like the best of traditional knowledge with seasonal relevance and modern consideration. Back Home is great for DIYers and those who are interested in sustainable living. Highly recommended.

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A very useful and practical magazine if you are a do-it-yourselfer. I highly recommend this magazine.

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Ive thoroughly enjoyed the heck out of the 3 issues ive received so far. Even the articles that have nothing to do with me are interesting.

Really wish there were more issues per year though.

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Who needs Martha Stewart's cupcakes and flower arranging? Not when you have Backhome's articles about solar and water generators, raising chickens and rabbits for meat, and which tractor is best suited to your needs. It even talks about the value of a good dump! (As in, that place you used to take your trash in the old days.) Not a frou frou magazine!

Swiss News

This is a great publication on the business and culture of Switzerland. I highly recommended it for those traveling to Switzerland for business or vacation. Not only are the articles well written and informative, but the advertisements and calendars give you an insiders view of what to do in Switzerland that month it is almost like having a friend in each city telling you what the best activities are.