Waterski (1-year auto-renewal)

Waterski Magazine is a good publication for those who enjoy water sports and want to improve their skiing skills, look for buying advice, and find new places to ski. This publication centers its articles on water skiing advice, choosing the best equipment, keeping safe, etc., with an occasional article on boating, jet skiing and other related topics.

Advice seems to be the most important component of Waterski and it can be found in several of the monthly departments and in several of the featured articles. Rather than rely only on advice from the Waterski staff, the magazine also includes advice from water skiing professionals and semiprofessionals who have devoted much time and energy to the sport they love. Whether it's a set of exercises to improve flexibility or a lecture on proper posture, Waterski is always ready to offer its readers tips on ways to make water skiing more fun and more enjoyable.

Oddly enough, Waterski doesn't devote as much space in its departments and monthly features to buying as I predicted it would. Yes, it is common to find a section that describes new types of gear and there is a marketplace section in the back of each issue with things for sale. But there are only a few of these. The editors seem more concerned with the enjoyment and the competitive side of water skiing than with promoting new products and services.

The instructional pieces found in Waterski are very good and very thorough and I would surmise that most readers of Waterski come here for this reason. They often include step by step instructions for performing specific maneuvers, for utilizing a specific type of equipment to the fullest, for coping with injuries, etc. These instructional guides are often very useful for the skiing enthusiast because they explain exactly what to do, how to improve, and how to avoid problems.

Overall, Waterski is a good magazine for those who enjoy this sport and actively participate in water skiing a few times per year. The instructional material in this magazine is often very good, thorough, and easy to understand and the photographs of men and women flying across the surface of the water are often quite fascinating. These factors make Waterski a very good choice of reading material for skiing participants or for anyone else who enjoys waterrelated activities.

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Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine

Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (EQMM) is the sharper image of its sister publication, Alfred Hitchcock's (AHMM). The stories are more polished, some have literary aspirations, and I'm more likely to find the well-executed twist in an EQMM story. While not every piece is a textbook mystery (some are police procedurals or psychological thrillers), all are good entertainment.

Editor Janet Hutchings introduces each piece with a description of the story, or what the author is working on, or an introduction to the writer if this is a first story. Occasional pen and ink illustrations, while not required to enjoy any of the stories, add to the feeling that EQMM is richer than AHMM. Some authors appear every month (Edward Hoch, amazing!) or almost as much (Doug Allyn) and deliver a quality story every time. There are plenty of other writers to enjoy; some are series tales with a recurring character, some create new worlds but impress with their mastery of the short story form.

EQMM relies on fewer gimmicky departments and more fiction. There is a book review column, calling your attention to novels worth reading.

If you love mysteries you should be getting both AHMM and EQMM.

Note: Starting with the 2004 issues, EQMM will publish only 10 issues a year; 2 will be "double issues" with almost twice as many pages. I remember when the Dell Magazines published 13 issues a year, including the "mid-December" one; back then the magazines came every 4 weeks. Those were the days and I have shown myself to be a certified grumpy codger.

Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine consistently delivers solid stories every month. As others have noted, not every story is a gem, but I usually find *at least* one really good story per issue, and most of the rest are quite enjoyable. (With around 10 stories per issue, you have to expect the occasional dud.)

This has been true for as long as I've been reading the magazine, which must be close to 30 years, now! The quality of the writing is consistently good, because the editors know what they're doing.

As a previous reviewer said, it is a good idea to pick up one issue to see if you like the kinds of stories EQ has to offer. But if you like that one issue, you can be sure you will enjoy others.

Note: Though it's known as EQ "Mystery Magazine", not all stories are mysteries. They do all fall generally into the "crime" category.

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My 80+ year old mother used to enjoy EQMM when I was a kid, so I thought she'd like a subscription for her birthday last year. Wrong! With the very first issue, she started complaining that there was too much bad language and sex in the stories. So I checked it out, and it did seem to be a lot, but no more than what I've come to expect from books, tv, and movies today. For her though, it was understandably racy, and to prove her point she dug out some old EQMM and read some stories. The difference in writing was immediately obvious. The older issues were infinitely better written, with less bad language and no sexual content.

I'm not saying it's a bad magazine, but if you're considering this for gift subscription for someone who enjoyed EQMM years ago, be aware that it's not the same as the magazine they used to read.

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EQMM is definitely a worthwhile magazine for any true fan of mysteries. Is every story exceptional, of course not and that's unrealistic to expect it to be. The stories are however entertaining and you get the opportunity to see something from some of your favorite writers. I think it's enjoyable to read a short story from writers you like whether it is a surefire classic or just another tale. To address, some of the issues by the jaded first reviewer, look at it from the standpoint of a mystery lover. If the publishers only produced great classic books, we would have only a handful of books each year, instead of the masses that readers have the fun of combing thru each year. The pages smudge, but this is not a magazine that is mass produced like People or Time or Sports Illustrated. At the current price, you could probably only get one to two stories a month for glossy pages. If you're reluctant to get a subscription then at least go to your local bookstore and buy the latest copy of EQMM and find out for yourself how enjoyable getting a quick glimpse into dozen of mystery writers can be.

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I absolutely love this magazine! This is a wonderful read for any who like short stories and mysteries! The magazine includes new writers as well as more well known ones. A wonderful magazine!

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Star Wars Insider

I would like to first say that I really do enjoy this magazine, my current subscription through Amazon has been problem free and even saved me $ when I originally purchased it for 38.99.

Here is where my current problem lies...

A few days ago i checked to see how much it was going to be to renew my sub and I was stoked to see it was for the same price. Amazon will send you a reminder to renew when it gets down to last issue so I figured I would wait to renew to avoid being charged so early in advance. Two days later I was sent a renewal notice in the mail from SWI directly asking for 43.99. Knowing i saw it for a better price the day before I decided to just renew through Amazon and get it over with. Only to find that the price SHOT UP $25 TO 63.92!

I emailed my complaint about the RIDICULOUS price increase only to be given a BS response. That sealed it, I will not be renewing through Amazon.

Awesome magazine, but currently a RIP OFF to sub through Amazon. Very disappointed.

The good is this is all about Star Wars, and my son loves Star Wars, the movies, the action figures, the Lego toys, the books. The bad is this is not cheap as a subscription and the subsription does not come with many issues per year. We just got our first issue and it came through the USPS of course and in a bag. As with USPS, there is frequently damage (as my friendly mailman once said, "that's free with your mail, you don't get charged extra for that"), the bag had a little tear in the side and the magazine had slight tear in the side. With this price, I wish the publisher placed the magazines in some sort of plastic that cannot tear AND actually give us a full 12 issues for a year subscription instead of the Jan/Feb type deal.

Please click YES if my review have been helpful to you, it will encourage me to continue writing and updating my reviews, and leave a comment if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer if I can be of help.

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OK, Could give this one star for one reason and four/five stars for another...so it averages to...three?

I really enjoy the magazine -exclusive interviews, stories and general information I do not find via the various internet news sites. My only complaint about the magazine itself is the spoilers that I read pertaining to the Expanded Universe (comics, novels) -with no given warning within the text of the article of such. I have only recently started to get into the EU and there are often many articles (in one issue!) that I cannot read. I want the story to unfold. . .

Now -my real issue is with Amazon. My magazines always (always!) arrive damaged. It is not my mail carrier -I have other subscriptions, and the magazines arrive in shockingly good condition. I am not sure why this is and am not even sure if the fulfillment is carried out by Amazon. I received one issue that utterly destroyed (to the point where it was hard to keep open to read). I have reported this to Amazon and they always tell me the issue is . . . "sold out?" They did extend my subscription one issue to make up for this.

I was going to re-new through Amazon, despite the damage, just for the savings over Titan Magazines price. Now that amazon is charging cover price with no savings what-so-ever --I see absolutely NO reason to use their service!

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This is a great magazine, one that I would definitely subscribe to, but it is too overpriced and not available as a e-book on the kindle store. The only place you can get it electronically is through the newsstand on the iphone and ipad. It's a shame really, it costs 158 rmb (25 usd) on the newsstand for a year of subscription and much more over here. Hopefully when they transition this magazine to a e-book version they will lower the subscription prices.

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I have been a subscriber for some time. At renewal time, picked Amazon to handle my publication choices. Insider was first up. Amazon is my preferred way. High level of confidence in the organization.

Keepers at Home

Although this is a Mennonite publication, I am a Baptist stay at home Mom and I really enjoy it. There are articles on herbal remedies, recipes, frugal living, marriage, adoption, special needs, child training, more. They have a column where readers can write in and ask questions to be answered by other readers. An excellent magazine.

For those who take Titus 2 seriously (as well as the rest of Scripture), this magazine is a lovely encouragement. It is so well done! I enjoy reading the issues over and over.

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Keepers at Home

This was a Christmas gift to me. As the subscription is only quarterly I've only had a chance to read one issue. I've heard of this magazine for years and finally was able to purchase a subscription.

I was very pleased with the simple layout, the heart warming stories, the great tips from other home makers and especially the encouragement of Godly Older Women. (or women who have parenting longer than I have)

Great magazine even if you aren't Christian as it is almost like talking with a small community of women who are all too ready to share their Joys as well as their Trials.

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I am always so blessed by the articles in the magazine. It provides great information and advice. I am never disappointed. I love to give these subscriptions as gifts to my friends so that they too can be encouraged in their calling to be Keepers at Home. This magazine feels like you are sitting down with a like-minded mentor and it helps "fill my cup up" so that I can pour out myself to my family.

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I look forward to every issue I receive of Keepers of the Home. While I am not Mennonite or Amish, I find the articles to be very supportive and encouraging to mothers who strive to raise their children to love and know God and women who strive to love and respect their husbands. In our society mothers are encouraged to work and thought to be lazy if they work in the home. This magazine brightens my heart without fail after reading it.

High Country News

This review refers to the High Country News magazine and the subscription.

First the magazine... I can not say enough good things about it, so for starters I'll let them speak for themselves:

"High Country News is a 501(c)(3) independent nonprofit media organization that covers the issues that define the American West. Its mission is to inform and inspire people to act on behalf of the region's diverse natural and human communities."

And inform and inspire with in-depth articles it does. The articles which concern all aspects of the environment from the land,the air, the waters, endangered species, people making a difference and much more are some of the most informative and well researched and written I've read on these subjects. Some articles run several pages and have back-stories as well. Anything you can imagine or have not imagined is well reported. Farming, the logging industry, the dairy industry,migration problems and solutions, trees in danger,animals in the wild, are a few topics among the many.

The journal(larger in height than you're usual magazine) may run from about 25-40 pages but it is packed with interesting and educational stories.And they are not short blurbs! Full page ads? you may see 1 or 2 at the most, and those are usually for some good cause like Heifers Int. Even the back page is filled with fabulous blogs of 'Heard Around the West" stories. There is a few pages of classified in the back section where you can find a job in the outdoors or find some land;tours and travel there's an advertisement for Tucson, Arizona that opens: "Pay no attention to the Arizona Governor." ; does your horse need to be shod you'll find someone for that as well.

There is a Research Fund that you can contribute to to help the researchers and journalists of the nonprofit org. continue the important work they are doing. But you will not be bombarded with pleas. One of those full page ads is for this purpose, and they list the contributors each issue.

The Subscription-

I am truly a happy camper when I see my newest issue in my mailbox between all the bills and junk mail. It arrives every two weeks like clock-work My only problem there is that, there is so much to read that I usually haven't finished my last issue yet. When I first ordered it, I really wasn't expecting to see it for the usual 6-8 weeks of most periodicals, however it arrived within 10 days of the day I wrote the check. There was only one time of which I was informed that the issue would be delayed for the New Year. But I would suggest checking the web site of HCN(.org) for a much better deal than the subscription price here. Also it is available there in digital form(for less) or an iphone app. I did not see it available for kindle(yet), but if you subscribe to the mail service you also get the digital. And of course it is printed on recycled paper.

If you are interested in environmental issues you will love this informative magazine. Even if you don't live in a Western state.This is news that really effects everyone on earth.

Get Inspired and Enjoy the read....Laurie

In High Country News, you'll read what's happening from grassroots enviro groups, not just Sierra, Wilderness Club, etc. That said, you'll get full and unbiased reporting of all sides of an issue, such as its cover story on the northern spotted owl early this fall.

And, it's not just environmental news.

For instance, I'll bet you didn't know thast Espanola, N.M. and not NYC or LA, is the per-capital heroin death capital of the world.

You would if you read High Country News.

Throw in its take on Western politics, such as being the first magazine of note to report on the LDS's funding of California's Prop. 8, and you have a most-0read for anybody who lives in or vacations in the West.

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The best source for news, analysis and commentary on all aspects of environmental stewardship (wildlife conservation, public lands, growth, politics "which as of today in 2005 the polices being implementing are forever altering these beautiful natural lands forever" Let me remind you...are, the people of the U.S.'s public lands!), as well as the the great people's life stories who live in the 11 Western states, and truly love & care for this special place they call home. I've been a subscriber for many years, and a reader for the last 20 years, and I couldn't recommend a better source of accurate and educational information about the West and the critical issues it faces.

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Provides a balanced view with an eye toward good stewardship. Takes into account the views of farmers and ranchers as well as conservationists and environmentalists. And such perspectives are increasingly found in the same groups of folks. In depth feature articles and sysnopses of other reports, studies and articles. But not too long to read every two weeks if you also enjoy reading lots of other things and don't have the time for a 50 page magazine. I like it and have turned quite a few people on to it. I'm here to resubscribe after letting my prior sub expire. Try it!

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Classical Guitar

This is for the Classical guitar purist. If you are not totally obsessed with classical guitar then you might not get that much out of it. Lots of news in the classical guitar world who's doing what and playing where, guitar competitions being held around the world and entrance requirements, some technique tips and music, and stuff like that. I've been subscribing to it for over 2 years and although it's sort of pricey, I like reading it. I teach Classical guitar so of course I like it.

If you are expecting color pictures on the inside there won't be any. The only pictures in color are on the front and back, and some ads on the inside. All pictures of the guitar gods/goddesses are in black and white, and are not very clear (fuzzy). For what a subscription costs it seems they could afford at least one or two color pictures. But, the interviews and articles are interesting.

I have not received an issue or heard from the publishers confirming my subscription. I was looking forward to reading it, but....

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BBC Good Food

We bought several issues of the magazine while living in the UK for a few years, and kept them with us when we moved back to the States. They're still our primary source for recipes, and we have yet to find a better magazine. The recipes focus on the freshest garden ingredients of the season (naturally, there are a lot of root vegetable recipes in the winter -this is Britain, after all). We can generally manage to find all the ingredients in the States, except that paneer (Indian cheese) has been a challenge. Remember, rocket = arugula, courgettes = zucchini, aubergines = eggplant, and coriander = cilantro.

I have been reading BBC Good Food off and on for almost four years. It has consistently been better than any other food magazine period. (although its new sister from the BBC called Olive may give it a run for its money). Olive seems to have taken over a few of the features they used to run in this magazine and even without them, this is still the best there is.

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I love this magazine. I bought my first issue in Kenyatta airport when my flight got delayed and I was desperate for reading material. My best purchase in Kenya! When my husband went to London I had him pick up the next issue. Great healthy, practical recipes and beautiful pictures, plus helpful information. It's fun to read some of the terms the British use for cooking. I lament that there are no discounted US subscription rates. Maybe if enough of us buy it in the US, they will find they have a market with us!

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This magazine brings the best of british cooking to America. The recipes are easy and adaptable

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This is one of the best food magazines I have ever read lots of great photos and easy to follow instructions. You may need a little help with the British names for some foods such and aubergine (eggplant), and capsicums (bell peppers). If you love the Naked Chef, Nigella Lawson, Ainsley Harriot and the many other great British chefs, you'll love this magazine!