The Week - UK Edition

Once you get your subscription to The Week, you can throw out Newsweek, Time, and People, along with heavy magazines that focus on the arts, food, and decorating. The Week comes in a deceptively small package, on thin paper, but it beats the competition in the breadth of subjects it covers. No longer will you be opening your news magazine and reading the same lead intro story about the Bush presidency and the Middle East over and over again. No longer will you be getting a narrow US-centric view on national and world events. No longer will you be flipping through pages of glossy ads to actually get to some text. And no longer will there be subscription cards falling out and littering your reading area!

I was a bit apprehensive about receiving a gift subscription to "yet another news weekly," but The Week won me over with the first issue. The Week opens with the main news stories and _how_ they were covered--you get what happened, what the major editorials said, what the columnists said, and what we can expect next. The editors draw on coverage in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Jerusalem Post, and hundreds of other print sources, so that the best of the best can be reprinted in The Week to provide diverse viewpoints. Dozens of sidebars provide human interest and shorter local happenings. One of my favorite sections is "The World At a Glance..." which is three pages chock full of news items from every continent, complete with a world map indicating the location of each story. Reading this weekly has really helped me bone up on my middle East and European geography. These news items are the important ones that somehow don't make it to our weekly national news broadcasts or print media.

The Week has a full spread on the best columns, from not US news media, but from European and international sources as well. You get the benefit of having read nine different major columnists from a diverse selection of sources, without actually having to go out and find these columns individually. In the "Talking Points" feature, major news issues are covered with input from three to six different sources.

Want fun? The Week also delivers coverage on People (celebrities) as well as the best of the Gossip for the week. It's balanced and just enough to keep one informed about celebrity happenings. Really, how many times can one read about Britney and Brangelina in a regular gossip rag? There are also not-to-be-missed reviews on Art exhibitions, Theater, Stage, Film, Music, Books, Restaurants, Television, and Travel. One of my favorite features in Books is the weekly guest who makes up a list of their favorite books. It's a great way to find both new books and old classics that people treasure. My other guilty pleasure from The Week is the real-estate section, which features gorgeous historic, opulent, and unusual real-estate that is currently on the market, as well as a "steal of the week."

Do you have enough yet? Don't worry, The Week also delivers Business news, Consumer news and product reports, detailed Obituaries, and recipes. With all I've described here, it sounds like this would be a tome, but as I said, this is the magazine that gets MORE information into LESS space and with less filler or extraneous information. Once you start reading The Week, your outlook will be changed, and it'll be hard to go back to the old media. Enjoy!

This review is for the U.S. edition. I couldn't find that edition on amazon but "The Week" deserves a review. I subscribed to this magazine in order to fulfill a new years resolution of becoming more informed and engaged with the world around me. Mainstream media is obsessed with Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, and other irrelevant things concerning my life. "The week" is exactly what I was looking for. It's actual NEWS. I can read top new stories from around the world. For those who can't even think about getting their Paris Hilton or Lohan fix, the week has a page dedicated to celebrities. Updates on celebrities can be done in one page not several 15 minute segments/articles as in mainstream media. The magazine also sections on art, music, and books. There are "best of the best" financial articles from different sources. If you are looking for information without clutter and confusion, subscribe to "The Week". You won't regret it.

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I really like the global format of The Week; it covers news from all over the world on a wide spectrum of topics, from serious to gossipy. But most of it is in the form of opinions from editorialists and columnists, all of whom have their biases. You can always count on getting two or more contrary opinions on every issue, but you can't count on getting any neutral in-depth analysis. This sometimes leaves me feeling more confused than enlightened trying to understand the world through opinions can be challenging. Having said that, reading The Week is fun and it will keep you current on domestic and international headline news, and it doesn't hurt to read what people in foreign countries are saying and thinking.

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With copious magazine selections out there, this one lets you have access to news, finance, health, science, art, music, you name it. It's great especially for me since I'm a SAHM and with little time investment, I can still be informed on various subjects going on in the world.

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I enjoyed this magazine immensely for a year but for the past month, rather than receiving the issue on Saturday or Monday, it arrives on Tuesday or Wednesday. Customer service does not consider this a problem (somehow erroneously believing the week starts on Tuesday?), and swear they have done nothing differently, although they say they drop off the magazines at the post office "Friday OR Saturday" for delivery "Monday OR Tuesday". I understand the need for a tight schedule, but the OR is unforgivable for a weekly. Friday delivery to the post office would ensure I would get the magazine by Monday, latest, and the news would not be stale as 3 day old fish not to mention that many of the featured, like TV picks, start on Monday.

AVOID THIS MAGAZINE SERVICE IS GOING DOWNHILL FAST.

Audrey

Audrey Magazine is another magazine for Asian Americans. This magazine is o.k. I read the first issue ever and still a reader. Mostly Audrey covers various topics for Asian American females from Fashion, Beauty(makeup/Cosmetics/Hair), Relationship, Politics, Cooking, Book Reviews, Asian American History to Movie Stars. I really like it since there is nothing like this right now for Asian females. The writing for this magazine is very similar to A. Magazine Inside Asian America, that magazine is out of business. Not difficult to read. The magazine I would like to point out is very thin not a thick magazine like Glamour, Vogue or Elle. It is thinner than Allure Magazine. If you were a reader of A. Magazine Inside Asian America the magazine is thin like that and Audrey is a bi monthly magazine. I like the paper and the gloss of this magazine plus it is fun to look at fashionable Asians which are never shown in mainstream mags like Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Allure, Glamour, Cosmopolitian, Self, Shape, Seventeen, Teen..etc.

The only thing wrong with Audrey Magazine is the short articles and other how to do sections. It does not go into great details. Other than that it is cool.

This magazine does a good job highlighting up and coming Asian Americans in the mainstream US media. At the same time, it has a semi-grassroots feel, but with mainstream issues still in mind. It will only get better as it gets more advertisers.

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All About Beer

This magazine is not for the person who enjoys coors and has no idea what the difference is from a Pale Ale to a Hefeweisen. The magazine is very technical and is meant for the serious beer drinker / fan.

First of all the magazine is all about beer, with that being said some articles can feel redundent (interviews with brewers all sound alike) which is why the mag. only comes out every other month. I am not too big of a fan on the section that discusses beer in a specific town or region.

What I do like is the new beer releases, the ratings system, also the beer reviews where two experts give their opinions. I save each issue and take it to the liqour store to see which beers that are mentioned are available in my town. I have tried several outstanding beers based on the recommendations of All About Beer. They also do a great job introducing you to beer styles that you may not be familar with.

If you like beer as much as I do you will come to think of All About Beer as your own personal beer bible.

This is an outstanding magazine and recommended for anyone who appreciates Craft Beer.

All About Beer magazine is great for the common beer lover. It is enjoyable, easy reading that allows the reader to really explore all aspects of beer. It is great for staying current with industry trends or just for finding new beers to try. I highly recommend this magazine to anyone with a passion for beer.

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Husband recently got into craft beers, so I got him this magazine. He looks forward to receiving it and keeps them to refer back to. Lots of good info and new beers to try!

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One of the best gifts I have gotten my husband! He love this magazine. We have renewed this for the past 3 years.

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This magazine is the best birthday present purchase ever! Its informative, and great to read. You'll be waiting for each issue to arrive with anticapation! Its well worth the price, and its nice to leave out for guests to read.

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Weekly Telegraph

The Weekly Telegraph is a treat each week. Whether you are a UK ex-pat, otherwise interested in UK affairs, or want a different perspective on world events the Weekly Telegraph is for you. While it may seem a bit pricey for an annual subscription, the money is well spent especially if you want a real paper in your hands rather than trying to read your news of a screen.

Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies

I recommond this serious journal on asian studies, which established it's fame in the past six dicades. It's specialized on history, language, linguistic, literatrue and phisolophy of asia, especially on east asia, China, Korea and Japan. Archives can be found on JSTOR, but the "moving wall" of JSTOR only allows reader to access 2004's and before.

Nature Friend Magazine

The magazine has improved over the years, now with color photos and a more convenient smaller format.

Yes, it is creationist and anti-evolutionary.

There is a hidden pictures page (not as involved as in Highlights), a drawing lesson with last month's drawing submissions from kids (many different age groups represented), a nature story (usually with character lessons as well), and other features.

It's a nice, peaceful, safe, and instructional nature magazine for kids (and some teens) that also promotes good character qualities and honors God as having created everything and everyone with wisdom and love.

We first got this magazine when our son was 5 years old. He could not read, so we would read it together, and it delighted him. With lots to do from the object search (find the objects hidden in pictures), to the questions, quizzes, to the "how-to-draw" lesson featured in each issue, there was plenty to attract all ages of readers from K to , well, my son is now 19 and still reads it!

It all started with our youngest daughter becoming 5 this past winter. Our 19 year old son found her pawing around in his hidden stash of NATURE FRIEND MAGAZINES which we had stopped getting over a decade ago. He kept carrying on about how he wished we could get it again "for her sake".

I looked all over the internet, through every directory and in old editions of the magazine, but NATURE FRIEND seemed to have disappeared.

Then we found it here on AMAZON.COM a couple of months ago. We got our first issue a few weeks ago and there is always someone reading it somewhere in the houseME INCLUDED!

The quality of the magazine is greatly improved. There is plenty to do for all ages, recipes, studies of interesting things (like where do dandelions come from and how did they get here and what do you do with them....) and interactive projects for all ages.

One of our favorite features is the HOW TO DRAW series that they still have. Very nice lessons on drawing some kind of animal or natural thing are given. Readers send in their best shot at it and many photos of their contributions are featured in future issues. There is a lot packed in to this 25 page magazineand NO ADS!

I can not rate this magazine highly enough. We stopped getting BIG BACKYARD because this magazine offers so much more and we could only get one magazine for this year. We are so glad to have found it againand it has even improved!

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Nature Friend is an incredible magazine! It is difficult for fundamental Christians to find periodical materials for children that uphold our beliefs. Nature Friend does just that. It is a Creationist magazine with plenty of scientific information about nature, written for a child's level of understanding. My daughter especially loves all the input from children her age, such as letters to the editor, drawings that children have submitted, and articles and poems written by children. There are plenty of activities in each issue as well. Both my daughter and I love the "how to draw ____" page!

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It is very difficult to find magazines that teach a Creation view. This is an excellently done magazine. My kids love it! Ages 3-12

Beautiful pictures. Fun activities like hidden pictures, draw lessons. Short stories that most kids can listen to and not lose interest.

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I really like this magazine. I just received our first copy yesterday and am looking forward to future issues. This magazine was recommended to me through my Catholic homeschool curriculum provider as a supplement to the science lessons. What I really appreciate about it is that there are no advertisements included in it. I find it interesting to note that the readers of this 'zine seem to be as young as 7 or 8 and go up to age 14 or so. So, I know that I can use it with my sons for many years to come.

Tricycle : the Buddhist Review

This magazine helps you understand Buddhism a little bit at a time. It, however enormously motivates you to meditate. Especially in the western culture, where materialism is so rampant, there is little to motivate you to sit still and spend time with yourself. This magazine makes me want to meditate, learn more and find answers to some of the difficult question sthat arise. It also helps me select the right books to deepen my practice. There is roughly equal representation of Tibbatan Buddhism, Zen and the Vipassana traditions, and quite often, much to my joy, there is such an amalgamation of these three main divisions. What ever lineage you may belong to, or want to pursue, you would still like the basic oneness of the Buddha's teaching.

Those interested in Buddhism should also look into "The Shambhala Sun" magazine, which comes every 2 months and which, though leans more towards Tibbatan Buddhism, does carry superb articles, book reviews and practical instructions. I think it is every bit as useful as Tricylcle.

Lastly those more inclined towards Zen Buddhism would like "The Mountain record", a quarterly magazine. It seems too abstract to me though, although I appreciate some of the articles and practically all the superb photographs it has in black and white.

Are you a Buddhist, enjoy meditation, or are you interested in learning more about Buddhism? Then this may be the magazine for you.

Tricycle is well written, has great photos, and is a very nice looking magazine. (The quality of the paper, heavy with a glossy coating, gives the magazine a 'coffee table book' feel.)

What I liked most about my subscription to Tricycle was that as a Buddhist in America I felt more of a connection to others who share the same interest. I also enjoyed reading articles on the different schools of Buddhism. Even the advertisements were helpful in learning more about cushions, retreat centers and more.

Of all the Buddhist magazines now entering the market this one seems, to me, to be the best of the group. Enjoy your subscription!

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While I am not a Buddhist,(our son and friends are) I still love, appreciate and gain wisdom from this wonderful publication, which I was exposed to over a decade ago by Zen master Don Gilbert of Tracy, CA. And I was so excited, if that's the right word, when the new issue arrived, because two articles caught my eye.

One is titled (page 39) The Gossip Trap and should be read by most Americans. Page 40 'What are we achieving by holding up a magnifying glass instead of looking in the mirror?' Or page 111 'If speech has five marks, O monastics, it is well spoken, not badly spoken, blameless, and above reproach by the wise. What are the five marks? It is speech that is timely, true, gentle, purposeful, and spoken with a mind of loving kindness. -the Buddha (Auguttara Nikaya).

The second (page 62) is titled Growing Ground and is a serious but also humorous piece about composting toilets at a Zen center in Southern California. All about the process of human waste becoming compostable soil and the funny things that happen when one has to turn the stuff with wood chips, leaving the drop door open so that cold wind and not warm air hits the bottom end of those who sit down to make a deposit. Page 54 'Once they get going, wood chips and waste have the kind of chemistry and connection that puts most human couples to shame'.

Alas, this is a mature, thoughtful publication to be sure. But it also doesn't take itself so seriously that one cannot see the simple joy in ones life, that sadly, to many Americans wont slow down to see.

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Tricyle is the oldest American Buddhist periodical, dating from 1991. It is published quarterly on high-quality, glossy paper. According to the publication's website, the name "Tricyle" derives from the Three Treasures (or Triple Jems) of Buddhism: the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sanga. The goal of the magazine, again according to its website is

"to create forums for exploring contemporary and historic Buddhist activity, examine the impact of its new context in the democratic tradtions of the West, and introduce fresh views and attainable methods for enlightened living to the culture at large. At the core of the Foundation's mission is the alleviation of suffering that Buddhist teachings are meant to bring about."

I have been a reader of Tricyle since the late 1990s and the publication has grown on me. The magazine makes a strong effort to live up to its mission and usually succeeds. American Buddhism remains nebulous and diverse. Tricyle has articles which appeal to a variety of readers of different backgrounds, Buddhist interests, and levels of commitment. Many of the articles are specific to Buddhism in the West and to life in the United States. Other articles explore the variety of traditional Buddhisms and schools, from Theravada to Mahayana, Zen, Tibetan, Pure Land, and more. I have found articles with insight into meditation and into Buddhist Scriptures.

There is a considerable topical focus to the magazine with articles on the environment, feminism, abortion, war and peace, American politics, social activism and much more. Political views tend to be on the left side of the American spectrum. This made me wary when I first began with Tricycle. As I continued with the magazine, I became more attuned to the Buddhist discussions and less bothered by political views with which I sometimes disagreed. I enjoy the book review section of the magazine and the frequent discussions among readers and contributors. There is a good deal of advertising which some readers have found brings too much consumerism to the publication. But bills need to be paid, and I find many of the advertisements helpful in learning about Buddhism and its resources in the United States.

Readers of the magazine will learn about the breadth and seriousness of American Buddhism. They will probably also see that it remains very much a work in progress. The magazine is written on a high level, but it remains accessible to readers with spiritual interests who may not be scholars or intellectuals. Tricycle of course will be of most interest to readers interested in Buddhism, but it also will appeal to readers with a non-sectarian interest in the development of spiritual life in the United States. I continue to look forward to receiving my copy of the magazine every three months.

Robin Friedman

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I've enjoyed Tricycle for many years, but it does contain a lot of advertising, and I'm baffled when the publisher solicits donations to keep the magazine running. I'd rather see them fully embrace one form of revenue or the other. If they're not-for-profit, what's with all the slick ads?

Essentially, Tricycle seems to be heading towards a more self-serving model of publishing. Perhaps I simply miss the days when it was fresh and vibrant with new ideas.

Still, four stars!

Shopnotes

I've been subscribing to this magazine for years. Although I don't have time to make all of the great things that they show, I can pick and choose the projects that I like and they are always well written and easy to understand.

I subscribed, again, to ShopNotes to make sure I can achieve some skill working on the different wood related projects I take on. Good information here for those so inclined. Each issue is bound later in a notebook style reference on my shelves to refer to as needed.

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Other woodworking magazines have profuse prose with background and explanations of design and construction of furniture, and that's great. But for top value per page you can't beat Shopnotes. It consistently delivers excellent articles and projects that are clear and concise. it is very focused on "how to do it", with generous diagrams that clearly and comprehensively illustrate all aspects of the project. Whether a shop jig or a piece of furniture, their presentation is great. Oh, and the magazine itself is well suited to the shop environment since it is printed on heavy stock paper that makes for a durable, repeated reference.

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