OK, so all of you didn’t agree with some choices in our June 12 story “Best 50 Magazines” (“You guys are idiots,” Tim Schau of Chicago snarled. “‘Wooden Boat,’ ‘Family Fun’ and ‘Soccer America’ make your list? . . . Losers.”). The good news is that we got people talking about a subject that inspires a remarkable amount of passion. Anyway, we gave you our list (see it at chicagotribune.com/mags). Now it’s your turn. Based on scores of letters and e-mail, here are the Tempo readers’ Top 20 magazines.
1 The Economist (By far, the leading vote-getter). “Its writing is witty, gutsy and brilliant,” wrote Cassandra Uretz of New York City. “It presents opinions from the left and right sides of the political spectrum, so that even when you disagree with what you’re reading, you feel like you’re participating in a terrific debate . . . and it never, ever sugarcoats the repulsive dictators of the world.” Joseph Wender of Highland Park wrote, “The Economist provides depth and perspective to its readers (unlike the fluff of Time, which you list as the 16th best magazine).”
2 Real Simple. “Martha Stewart Living for people with a real life,” said Michelle Cummings of Glenview. “It also has great organizational ideas, to help your life run more smoothly, that really work, and as the name of the magazine implies are truly real simple.” Said Wheeling’s Cathy Junor: “It’s like a calming massage in a frenetic, over-stimulating world.” And Beverly Bochenek of Chicago said, “Real Simple. Because it is. Quick, interactive, philosophical and soothing. Just how I want my life.”
3 Scientific American. “This magazine runs major stories on the science behind some of the hottest topics in politics,” wrote J. Kathy Mitchell of Austin, Texas. “From the big debates over global warming to a recent look at the politics and science of the food pyramid, this magazine gives us non-scientists real insight into the real world. I admit that I frequently stumble over the cosmology features, wishing I had paid more attention in my quantum physics classes in college (oh, yeah, I never took those classes). But I like the fact that the magazine assumes that a combination of good writing and good illustration can make even the most complex scientific ideas accessible to everyone.” “The only science magazine carried aboard Air Force One,” added Tim Deer of Lake Forest.
4 Vanity Fair (which was on Tempo’s “Mags gone bad” list). “I must disagree with you about Vanity Fair. I love it and wait for it every month. I consider the gossipy articles still the best,” wrote Nancy Simon Cooper of Chicago. David Seaton of Riverside, Calif., inquired: “Why did you pan Vanity Fair? Where else can you get the combination of sophisticated writing about the underbelly of Hollywood’s past and present, polemic takes and investigations on the latest international hot spot and psychoanalytical profiles of politicians and corporate leaders running this country. What other magazine would have the moxie to probe the probable dyslexia of George W. Bush?”
5 Utne. “Even with the `reader’ removed from the title, offers a variety of views compiled from magazines you won’t find in Springfield,” said Jeff Stauter of Springfield. “The Utne tends to spark more conversation between my wife and me than the dozens of other magazines we read.”
6 Forbes. “Forbes has replaced Fortune as the first business magazine I read every week,” said Tom Anderson of Huntersville, N.C. “The writing reflects more depth of business experience and skepticism of industry trends. Fortune articles all read as though they were written by very smart Ivy League graduates with very little real world experience.”
7 Men’s Health. “Why do I like Men’s Health best? Well, it doesn’t hurt that they always have a well-built male on the cover, but it is full of very well written and informative articles that appeal to women as well as men,” wrote Diana Duda of Glenwood. “I may just glance through some of the women’s magazines that I get, but I tend to read Men’s Health cover to cover. It educates me, informs me, makes me smile and laugh. In general it does everything a good magazine should do.”
8 Wired. “I agree with many of your choices, particularly Cook’s Illustrated,” said Michelle Nicolet of Chicago. “But how could you leave Wired magazine out of the top 50? It was groundbreaking when it debuted, and continues to offer interesting, sometimes thought-provoking, coverage of the intersection of technology and culture.” Jim Renderman of Naperville wrote: “Although I am not a complete computer geek, I enjoy Wired’s foresight into areas which are affected by high-tech: Our society, what is perceived as entertainment, and, in the aftermath of 9/11, our nation’s security. Wired is a true gateway for our future.”
9 Newsweek (also on Tempo’s “Mags gone bad” list). “Why have Newsweek, Premiere and Playboy `gone bad’?” asked Matt Neufeld of Frederick, Md. “Many folks believe, objectively, that that is not the case. You still find insightful, intelligent, well-written news coverage in Newsweek (and occasional scoops, by the way).” “In an age where cynicism, negativity is a media norm, it’s refreshing to read a straightforward roundup of the latest trends, the week’s news and `anecdotal tips’ without the usual unnecessary opinions,” said Stephanie Huang of New York City.
10 O. “I love O, Oprah’s worthy effort,” wrote Linda Heinrich of Greendale, Wis. “It is a fabulous read and covers a lot of relevant issues that I am interested in. If you ranked Martha Stewart so high, why pass by Oprah? I guarantee more women can relate to the articles in O than in Martha Stewart Living. OK, maybe she dabbles too much in pop psychology, but I feel uplifted after reading it every month.”
11 Sun. “Nothing comes even close to it,” wrote Kathy Moore of Chicago. “Every issue is an absolute gem!” Oak Parker Ken Luurs adds: “While not every issue is a hit and its feature interviews are decidedly liberal, the stories included in each issue make this magazine something to read. I am a magazine junkie having about 30 magazines showing up at the house. This would be the last one I’d part with.”
12 Better Homes and Gardens. “Your committee must be short on women who like to garden, cook easy-to-cook meals, raise kids or do practical, normal, usually reasonable decorating and home improvement projects,” wrote Kathryn Price of Western Springs. “In my opinion, it is by far the best of all of the `home keeping’ magazines out there. I’ve been taking it for 44 years and my mother took it for years before that! It’s always been the best!”
13 Discover. Said Christina Sakowski of Chicago: “Every issue contains six major articles on a wide range of subjects, a puzzling medical case, Web sites for science surfing, reviews of science-related books, films and museum exhibits, news on the latest research and development and emerging technology, mind-boggling puzzles and challenging letters to the editor. You don’t need a Ph.D. to enjoy.”
14 Mad. “It is still silly, funny and the ultimate satire magazine (because it makes fun of everyone, especially it’s own editors),” said Dennis Hogensen of Park Forest. “National Lampoon could be hilarious one month and not make me crack a smile for the next three. Spy magazine was a smarmy inside joke for New Yorkers. The Onion is good, but not my favorite. My friend Alfred E. Neuman, always delivers.”
15 Bon Appetit. “Although someone who has read this magazine for a long time will notice the recipes tend to get recycled, it is very well-edited,” said Katherine Licup of Oak Park. “I especially enjoy the RSVP section, which contains recipes from readers’ favorite restaurants. The special issues are wonderful, too, such as May’s issue on Mexico and last year’s issue on Greece.”
16 Mental Floss. “OK, Cook’s Illustrated is really my favorite magazine, but Mental Floss is my favorite that did not make your list,” said Marianne Greco of Chicago. “Why? Mental Floss disguises every word, (with the exception of some advertisements) as totally impractical fluff, written entirely for fun. But, inevitably, after finishing an issue (cover to cover, by the way) their tagline comes true. I do `feel smart again.’ What’s not to love?”
17 Lucky. “The design is clean, easy to navigate,” said Jennifer Mindel of Chicago. “Also, the fashion is more realistic. Finally, the prices and stores are right on the pages; it’s great — I hate to look for that information at the back of the magazine in tiny type.”
18 Motorcyclist. “The perfect blend of stylish writing and sexy motorcycle photography. It brings the same breadth and style in its approach to motorcycling that Saveur brings to food, Outside to mountaineering,” wrote Robin Rauzi of Los Angeles. “I knew that it was well written when my girlfriend, who will not pilot a car let alone ride a motorcycle, was reading it. Points lost for stupid sexist puns in headlines.”
19 Sailing. “Remember the old Life magazine when it was glossy and oversize and utilized the best writers and photographers in the world? Same with Sailing,” said Linda M. Hildreth of DeKalb. “This fine magazine is rich in excellent articles on boating safety, sailing adventures, navigation and gear for both racing and cruising. The photographs and design never fail to give me goosebumps.”
20 Car. “For much the same reason you picked Q and Mojo, but with automobiles instead of music,” said William Wright Bryan III of Muncie, Ind.
Honorable mentions: Adirondack Life, Arthritis Today, Budget Travel, Chicago, Chicago Wilderness, Islands, National Geographic Traveler, PC World, Radar, Ready Made, Southern Living.
