Karavan Istorij

Karavan Istorij and Karavan Istorii Kollektsiia are the best magazines ever published in Russia. The stories are great and the images by Ekaterina Rojdestvenskaya are wonderful.

Vanity Fair (1-year auto-renewal)

You can renew your Vanity Fair subscription at a rate of 24 issues for $20, if you do so on Vanity Fair's website.

Amazon, on the other change, charges a renewal rate of $19.99 for only 12 issues.

What's with the markup, Amazon?

I've been reading Vanity Fair for around 12 years. One thing I will never understand is the subscription price. Each month my magazine comes and is filled with $12 slips for a one year subscription. Then my renewal notice rolls around and they offer me the "Low, Low price for subscribers of only $16 dollars a year."

Do they think I am so stupid that I can not open my magazine and see that the going yearly rate is $12? It kills me. Every single year this happens. I can't take a bath and read this mag and not be showered with the $12 notices so I always let my subscription lapse and renew with one of the $12 cards. I enjoy reading the magazine a lot but I always feel insulted when it comes time to renew.

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Hard to find a good article in VF. It takes a few minutes to skim through unless they have a good article like the one on Truman Capote an issue or two back. Vanity Fair does publish great articles, but it's hit or miss each month.

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I bought the Angelina Jolie issue in store and skimmed through the magazine. At the time I thought it was a pretty good magazine despite all the ads. Fast forward a few months and I now realize I have a magazine subscription to a boring magazine. Each month the mag is full of ads, I don't really enjoy the substance in it or the writing style. I think I got in over my head on this one. To each their own though.

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I just turned 50. I think I began reading Vanity Fair in my early 20s. No magazine has been as interesting and educational, to me, as Vanity Fair has. The detail and research that the writers put into the articles is amazing. But-for this magazine, I wouldn't know a fraction of what's out there going on in our world. It's simply a fascinating magazine with such an incredibly broad range of topics to dive into. I could go on and on but, truly, Vanity Fair is "it" for me. I love sappy mags such as People and US Weekly and they have their place in our home for entertainment purposes. Vanity Fair does entertain me but it also makes me think. I will never not subscribe to this mag and I'm on here today to process a renewal. And, besides, magazines these days are so affordable, try it and if you don't like it donate them to your doctor's office or hair salon, etc...

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Olive Magazine

I would love to subscribe to Olive, but I can't justify it. I understand the subscription includes airmail, but STILL! I can buy single issues at a store near my home, and even at retail prices, 12 issues cost less than does a subscription.

But, to give you an idea how good a magazine this is, every single month I deliberately make the trek to the store to buy a copy.

If you were looking at a marketing description, Olive would seem like Real Simple, or a magazine of its ilk, but somehow I find it more satisfying than those perfectly nice publications that I never find anything that makes me say, "Let's make that this weekend." I'm not sure how to describe the reasons why.

Olive could be subtitled "Food, Wine, and Travel for busy people," because it emphasizes tasty meals without fuss. Each issue has a section with 5-10 dinners you can get on the table in 30 minutes; plus a "weekend cooking" section for the dishes you're willing to fiddle with; plus a section on cooking what's fresh in the market right now. (The issue I picked up today has three recipes that feature peas, for instance.) It ranges from exotic Thai curries to fish and chips. There are also restaurant reviews and travel (more "travel for foodies" -they expend some energy telling you where to eat).

I have cooked at least one dish from nearly every issue, and every single one of them has been a winner. These aren't necessarily "company cooking," though some of the recipes certainly qualify. However, their "fast food" section is exactly what I want: a real meal that's feasible in the middle of the week. Among my favorites is a chicken-mushroom-wine stew in pastry. It really DID take a half hour, start to finish, in part because it instructs you to use store-bought puff pastry. And man, was it tasty.

That would be enough... but the fun extra is that this is a British magazine, put out by the BBC. When they do taste-tests of tea or chocolate or ketchup, the brands are what's available in the UK. Although I recognize a few brands, the results aren't terribly useful; but I think it's a hoot. (What can I say? My idea of a cool thing to do on vacation in a foreign country is to go grocery shopping.) Nor are most of the restaurant reviews likely to be relevant; but then, a NY Times restaurant review isn't going to help me, either. I can still enjoy it.

I can't imagine you'll spend this kind of money without seeing an issue. If you've seen a copy and wondered if its quality holds up... I assure you, it does. The only food magazine that I think is of equal quality in the U.S. is Fine Cooking, and it has a different angle.

I came across "Olive" when I was in London this past May (2005). It was a free supplement to that month's issue of "BBC Good Homes", so I wasn't expecting much originally. Am I ever glad I didn't just toss it in the bin as I would normally do!

"Olive" is devoted to cooking that is, as my title suggests, simple, elegant and healthy. Great editorial photography makes that food look great, and all its' recipes use readily available ingredients. Each recipe is short, telling you what you need and how to prepare it, and not much more. Sidebars or runners at the bottom of the page contain info related to the recipes, such as how to cook the perfect steak (i.e., "bring the steak to room temperature; use a very hot pan" and "oil the meat not the pan"). Under the section "Fast Food", one of these recipes was for Mini Wellingtons, has only 5 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes. Another section details how to make a signature Nobu (the famed sushi restaurant in NYC & London) dish, Cod with Miso, and the recipe isn't at all intimidating (although obtaining some of this dish's ingredients might be difficult unless you have access to an Asian market or similar online site). GI Diet followers can also benefit from "Olive" as nearly all the recipes contain GI-related nutritional information. Chef Gordon Ramsay also edits a column and shares his favorite tips and recipes.

The only reason I give "Olive" 4 stars instead of 5 is because many recipes contain both metric and imperial measures. However, conversion info for the metric measures is easily available online. "Olive" also uses British stove/oven indications, such as "heat the oven too 200C/fan 180/Gas 6" but I was easily able to convert these to Fahrenheit.

So why subscribe to "Olive" instead of an American cooking magazine? If you are like me, American Cooking magazines can be frustrating, in that recipes are often (and unneccessarily, IMO) complicated, and better suited to those who cook for the purpose of entertaining large groups of people. Many healthy cooking magazines don't contain GI Index info, and fail to present it in an easily understood way. Many cooking magazines 'on this side of the pond' also are chock-full of ads, and you have to get through them before you can get to the recipes or information that prompted you to buy the mag in the first place. "Olive" is clean, uncluttered, and appeallingly presented. What's not to like?

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This magazine is by far the best food, travel magazine out. A bit on the expensive side due to it coming from BBC in England but worth every pound...dollar.

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This magazine flies off the shelf in my epicurian publishing company library. The staff loves itboth foodies editors and non-editors alike. Your only challenge will the need of a scale to measure dry ingredients.

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So my sister-in-law (in the UK) has raved about how good this magazine is, but I just can't justify spending $130 for a subscription. BUT, it's available as an iPad app for $22! And yes. Great magazine. So this is more of an FYI than anything. :)

Network World

Network World is a professional magazine I have been reading for more than a year and it is one of many professional magazines I read on a regular basis. I don't make a living working as a tech professional anymore (I once worked in a position that was close to this field), but I spend enough time using technology on both on the job and at home that my interest in the subject remains high. Most everyone is affected, at least in a small way, by technology at their place of employment and thus most anyone can benefit, at least a little bit, from the helpful articles found in Network World each week.

Network World is a little different from other magazines in several ways. First, each issue is the same length, so it can be counted on for consistency. Second, it doesn't contain "departments", in the usual sense. It still has some of the usual areas that most magazines have, like Letters to the Editor and a closing page that gives the reader food for thought. But other than that, you won't find the usual departments found in other magazines. Instead, Network World is divided into main sections of articles, and these articles are often quite different from one issue to the next.

Since I don't work directly in technology, many of the articles in Network World hold little interest for me. The Applications Services section, for example, often includes articles on redesigning networks, diagnosing problems, and improving performance. These are nice for people who work in the high tech field, but I find them quite boring. They are often very occupationspecific and they will only interest those individuals who make a living in the world of high tech.

However, there are other parts of Network World that do capture my interest and my favorite articles each week are those that relate to technology news. These articles can be business oriented in scope or new product oriented and they never fail to get my attention. When I see titles of articles that include names like Microsoft, Oracle, and others, I always turn directly to the page to see what the article has to say. I come in contact with these types of businesses on a daily basis when I use their products and I am very interested in what new products or advice they have to give.

Network World is, overall, a pretty good publication for those who have any interest in technology. It will be enjoyed most by those who make a living working in high tech. But even for those of us who make our living in a different way, Network World still has some good reading to offer. New products, new challenges, and timely technology business news are the hallmark of Network World and they are the reasons I will continue to read this magazine.

There are few printed periodicals I regularly read anymore and Network World is on that short list. Both working and aspiring IT professionals can benefit from the industry analysis, technology reviews, and editorials found in every issue. Like most magazines these days, there is almost a 50-50 split between content and ads, but that is a sad fact of life for print media in the Internet age. Still, techs and sysadmins should find both the articles and the advertisements worth reading.

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Nice magazine to keep you updated with the latest of the state of start technology in Computer Networking.

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Rubberstampmadness - Rubber Stamp Madness

This is the oldest art rubber stamp magazine still publishing (National Stampagraphic went under a few years ago) and it doesn't show it's age. For the latest news on various techniques, conventions, stamps and accessories, this is the place that the majority of rubber stampers (if not all) turn to for advice.

That's because in addition to rubber stamp art, there are profiles of stampers, examples of mixed media (collage, copier) art and catalog reviews of stamp companies, There's a convention list. There's an area where you can post mail art calls as well as an area to request pen pals or find various rubber stamp essentials.

And for the vast majority of rubber stampers, this _is_ an essential magazine. If you're interested in rubber stamp art, this magazine is the best place to start on the inky trail. Buy this subscription and be prepared to forget about dinner when the magazine is delivered it's that absorbing.

RSM is a magazine that keeps me updated on innovations in the stamping genre. The instructions are easy to follow, and the examples are eye-catching and great to browse.

The reviews of the rubber stamping websites are very informative, as are the reviews of new products and publications. Plus, their website has links to their advertisers, so I can leave my magazine in my reading area, and still browse the links from my computer!

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This used to be a wonderful, innovative, different rubberstamping delight. Now it looks like all the others. It's small and not nearly as much fun as it used to be.

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Bassmaster (1-year auto-renewal)

I wanted to brush up on my fishing so I subscribed to this publication. After reading a few issues it I found myself not really enjoying reading it. The fishing tips slim are at best and and a good deal of the magazine was not really about improving fishing. After you read a few issues they start repeating them self.

The final straw came when I received a DVD that I did not request from Bass Master that if not return would start a DVD subscription! The same day I canceled my subscription! Save yourself the aggravation don't subscribe!

Bass angler magazine and flw magazine along with in fisherman are much better. Bass uses it as a marketing tool to sell more fishing stuff and promote their products. One of their features is a small piece on "4-5 lures I never leave to fish without" and some pro names each lure and most often each lure is made by berkly or strike king,etc. Give me a break! Insulting.

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When Bassmaster first came out back in the early seventies it was more lure oriented and less contests between "Pros." Now days the "pros" are only the dudes with a few sponsors and the cash for playing with a big boat. Gone are the skills necessary to enjoy the sport like How to make the morning coffee before the first cast of the day. The How Too articles are few and it is mostly about egos of the young guys catching bank runners. Guys like Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston and Uncle Homer are not featured or have their knowledge shared in its pages. I subscribed after finding other better things to occupy my time but now that I have more time sitting on the dock, I was hoping to find it more entertaining. It isn't but it is all that is out there.

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Bassmaster is a magazine about fishing and it likes to boast that it is the "Worldwide Authority on Bass Fishing". This magazine divides its focus among different areas, like finding/fishing for bass, buying the best equipment, and keeping pace with the different sporting tournaments that focus on bass fishing.

I spend very little time participating in outdoor sports but I have been known to cast a reel over an expanse of water on an infrequent occasion. With Bassmaster, consumers like me can quickly get the information needed to find places to fish for bass. There is also plenty of tips and advice from Bassmaster magazine and from fishing professionals. They clue you in on the right environment and weather conditions for bass fishing, the best equipment to use, and the most effective lure to improve your chances for landing that prized catch.

Bassmaster is like other sporting magazines in many ways, but it differs a little from other fishing magazines, mainly in its coverage of the sport of bass fishing. Part of the reason for the emphasis on sports is Bassmaster's affiliation with sports authority ESPN. ESPN is the main reason the sporting aspect gets the amount of coverage in Bassmaster that it does and it helps make the magazine that much better to read.

Bassmaster is loaded with different departments and among all the magazines I read each month, Bassmaster probably has more departments than any other publication of similar length. The departments are shortusually covering only one page eachbut they offer some of the magazine's best and easiest to read material. Departments like "Ask the Experts", "Bass Basics", and others are good for finding some quick information on fishing and how to make it more enjoyable and more successful. I like the Destinations section, too, because it offers some information on lakes and rivers that would make good choices for vacationing as well as fishing.

I don't fish very often and I'm not someone that would be classified as an outdoorsman, but I still like Bassmaster magazine. It offers some good writing and compelling articles about bass fishing, both as a casual hobby and as a competitive sport. If someone like mea person who doesn't even fish very muchcan find reasons to enjoy reading a magazine like Bassmaster, just think of how much a true fan of this activity will like this publication. It's one of the better fishing magazines and it makes a good choice of gift for a dedicated fisherman; offering plenty of good reading each month all for a low subscription cost.

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ALWAYS GET OFFERED MAGS, BUT NEVER RECEIVE ANY. I READ THESE MAGAZINES WHEN I'M IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, BUT SOON AS I GET INTERESTED IN AN ARTICLE, HE CALLS ME IN.

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Powerships

As a contributing member and passionate advocate of the Steamship Historical Society, I have been a subscriber to this magazine for years. Powerships is a conduit from the minds and hearts and workdesks of many experts, some amateur, some professional, all of them enlightening. The quality of the information is very high as most of the articles are written by people who really love this type of thing and know a lot about it for the enjoyment of actually reasearching the information and the pleasure of writing about it to let the world know how interesting it is. Therefore, you don't get any commercial fluff, just well written, unbiased information in your quest to learn more about steamships. On the same note, even the advertisements are very useful and the magazine subscription is worth buying for those alone which will often alert the enthusiast to interesting events, conventions or new books. The underlying theme is that much of the knowledge is not common and it does not google well, so Powerships grants the reader information that would otherwise not be easy to find and keeps a pulse on the greater community of Steamship afficionados. Along with Warship International, I always look forward to this magazine arriving in my mailbox and I am glad to see that SSHSA has put this online for the world to discover this wonderful publication and the benefits of membership.

I have been receiving PowerShips and it's predecessor journal, Steamboat Bill, for over 40 years. I look forward to every issue. The magazine covers all types of engine-powered vessels, from the great liners to tug boats and work boats. The in-depth articles are uncannily accurate and richly illustrated. The regional columns are a very interesting way of keeping up with shipping events in different parts of the country. OUTSTANDING JOB, Steamship Historical Society of America. Keep up the good work!

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Scientific American Mind (1-year auto-renewal)

This is the best magazine I've read lately. It is still new, and I've only received 4 issues, but read each cover to cover, finding each article fascinating, and very accessible (unlike the parent publication, which is occasionally over my head.) It may be just because I like the subject matter but it seems to me these are subjects which would interest most people. Some recent articles (as of Oct. 2005) included why we lie, the meaning of dreams, the nature of consciousness, what causes creativitity, what is deja vu. It is one subscription which is well worth the money. The only drawback I've found is that it is quarterly sometimes it seems like a long wait between issues.

This is my favorite magazine about the mind, particularly with respect to consciousness. It's like a meeting of the minds (no pun intended) between spiritual phenomena and scientific discovery. The articles are seriously interesting and always have a new twist. I do wish it was printed more frequently however it is worth the wait for each issue.

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I've been subscribing to SciAm Mind for about a year now and have been reading it at the bookstore for a couple of years. I'm a layperson, no medical training or professional background in dealing with these topics, I just have a personal interest.

While I enjoy a good bit of the magazine, I typically find myself frustrated at how it seems as though they only have a few people submitting articles. Unfortunately I don't have a copy on hand, but there's one guy (?) with a name that's about a mile long, and by the time I've finished the magazine, I'm sick of seeing his name and reading his often less-than-thrilling diatribes.

I'll likely continue subscribing to SciAm Mind because I do feel like I get something out of it, but Psychology Today is definitely my preferred of the two.

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Each issue of this magazine covers very interesting topics in psychology and neuroscience, though it is by no means "Science". I expected the depth of the articles to be along the lines of Scientific American, its parent publication, and I am occasionally disappointed by the superficiality of some of the content.

Nonetheless, I find this magazine to address fascinating questions concerning the mind and to be very accessible if you do not have a background in the sciences. With that said though, if you are a neuroscientist, you may find "Nature Neuroscience" to be more satisfying.

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This is less about the "mind" and more about the brain, as far as I'm concerned. There is lots of biological science (some of it questionable) and a lot less psychology. It seems very focused on finding biological causes for emotional or psychological states which I feel is narrow and only half the story.

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Marianne

I subscribed to this magazine directly at their web site a few years ago and had no problems with delivery. I like the magazine as it's different from other traditional French magazines like Le Point, L'Express, etc. It gives you a good idea about what is going on outside the US and especially in France and around. I appreciated pages devoted to French culture, history, and literature. I'd recommend it to anyone but before subscribing it's better to get a copy of the magazine and check if you like its format and style.

Home Healthcare Nurse

I am a current subscriber and look forward to this journal. I appreciate the articles pertinent to the home care and hospice field, the literature reviews, the policy change updates, and all the other aspects that apply to my specialty--few of which are covered in the major nursing journals. The largest drawback I've found to this journal is the abundance of grammatical errors. I have cringed at times when loaning copies out to other nurses, knowing that the editing is sorely lacking. Otherwise, I have learned a lot with each issue and will continue to be a subscriber for many years. I highly recommend it, particularly for those who are new to the home care field.