Not everybody agreed with our June 17 list of “50 Best Magazines” (“Are you people on crack?” one reader inquired).
That’s fine. We can take it. The point was to get people debating the lively topic of magazines, and on that front we succeeded. Here is the Tempo readers’ top 20 magazines that were not included in our list (which is posted on chicagotribune.com/magazines).
1. National Geographic. (No. 39 on our list last year). “More than simply an institutional icon, it consistently expands readers’ horizons with an unpredictable breadth of subject matter and offers wonderful photography. It amazes me that I can pick up a new issue and read about a beautiful, fabulous corner of the planet that is unknown, except for the fact that National Geographic has been there.”
2. ESPN the Magazine. “A refreshing look at sports. It does an excellent job of combining modern and trendy language, writers and sports personalities with intriguing stories. Furthermore, ESPN the Magazine is leading the way for all-purpose-sports magazines by exploring more than just the traditional sports.”
3. The Week. “A wonderful little weekly, just a couple of years old, that quotes editorials and columnists on the issues of the week (and amazingly includes different opinions); summarizes national and international news, has book/movie/theater/TV reviews; gossip items; memorable quotes; interesting real estate items, including a regular ‘Steal of the Week,’ and a whole bunch of other good stuff. . . . Usually about 40 pages long . . . I refer to it as the grown-ups’ Weekly Reader.”
4. Budget Travel. “Most travel magazines delight in seeking out the most premium trip options — the lux hotels, 5-star cruises, fanciest dining, etc. Most people I know, if going to Venice for example, don’t care to spend $500 a night on a hotel room. We’d rather have a simple place to leave our suitcase while we explore the destination. If you like to travel without the need to be a diva, grab a copy at the newsstand.”
5. The Nation. “It provides a welcome, and much needed, alternative to the usual `fair and unbalanced’ news coverage. See the June 28 issue, for example, on The Real Reagan Legacy.’ . . . A good supplement to the more mainstream Newsweek and Chicago Tribune. . . . Another reason — Katha Pollit’s columns. Her writing is worth the price of a subscription.”
6. Discover. “More science news per square column than any other magazine. . . . The articles are up-to-date, relevant, easy to read, and, amazingly, the authors and editors have a knack for turning each story, whether it’s a brief newsy update or a multipager, utterly fascinating. . . . I wish every world citizen would read it every month; there would be fewer people basing life-decisions on wrong information.”
7. O. “Informative, uplifting, relevant and just all around the best women’s magazine I’ve ever read. I also subscribe to The New Yorker, Real Simple and the Economist, which provide plenty of intellectual and practical fodder, but O is food for my soul in a way the others are not.”
8. InStyle. “Yes, it’s mostly about celebrities and fashion, but it has great photographs; interesting — or at least fun-to-read — articles and standard monthly features; good shopping information; and takes more than 10 minutes to read.”
9. Eating Well. “It marries sound health and nutrition advice with practical, delicious recipes. The magazine tackles today’s toughest political food issues in a format that is helpful to home cooks, and it never dumbs down its content to the level of sound bite journalism. . . . They’re not afraid to go against conventional wisdom — note a recent article about how farmed salmon may be as healthy as wild.”
10. Christian Century. “It provides news and commentary of an important sector in American culture. In an area where predetermined positions pander to readers of certain biases, the Century sticks to a critical exposition of the current world scene.”
11. Washington Monthly. “Unabashedly liberal but well written and touched on occasion by touches of reality and conscience that once in a while make them even ask liberals some hard questions.”
12. Dirty Linen. “While I buy the idea that No Depression does an excellent job of covering the alt-country scene, I would like to present a magazine with even more attitude. They seem to have a chip on their shoulder regarding promotional efforts of the artists they cover, and often get silly with their reviews, picture captions and so on. Even if you don’t like the music they cover (folk, world and related genres), it’s worth a read.”
13. Popular Science. “No other magazine presents the world of science in a easy to understand and entertaining format.”
14. Topic. “The best writing I’ve seen from a new mag in a long time. Its concept is unique and its design simple, very tasteful.”
15. Reader’s Digest. “Still one of the best general interest mags that I have ever found. If for no other reason than the gags, jokes and humorous stories carried throughout its pages. The articles tend to be concise and in most cases thought-provoking.”
16. More. “The magazine for real women of the seasoned age featuring fabulous women, celebs and not, who celebrate their age and life.”
17. Cargo. “The best new men’s magazine to hit the stands in eons. Not only does it link itself to its wonderful sister mag, Lucky, but it has the common sense to not be overly fluffy — just straight forward stuff that guys like.”
18. Smithsonian. “A gem. The photos alone would be worth the price, but coupled with fascinating, elegantly written stories on science, nature, the environment, history and the arts, make it one of the most worthy magazines published.”
19. Bark. “The best magazine on dogs. . . . a great attitude: Intelligent, unapologetic (starts from the premise that everyone shares their deep, kindred-soul-like connection with dogs, mutts to purebreds and proceeds from there), funny, quirky, elegant, professional. A pleasure to read, when I can find it.”
20. ReadyMade. “Expensive but offers very unique project ideas for DIY home goods.”
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LETTERS: BEST MAGAZINES
Sophomoric mag
SAN FRANCISCO — Esquire? Did it recover from its silly sophomorism and regain the urbane maturity it had, oh, 40 years ago? Is it a better general interest mag than, say, Reader’s Digest or Harper’s? One could take similar issue with about 40 of your picks but what could be the criteria for, say, comparing “Budget Living” with “Heeb?” With a wealth of niche and specialized publications such a list can only reflect the interests of the compilers. That The Nation, The American Prospect, The Sierra Club, Free Inquiry or The Utne Reader are not mentioned and, well, certain others are, seems to indicate a prevailing political and intellectual provincialism among your media mavens. (Other readers will, I’m sure, apprise you of other top-shelf omitees.)
— Jerome Bronk
So that’s a bug
CHICAGO — Regarding the best magazines list — I too am a Donna Hay fan (and fellow Aussie, living in Chicago). Here’s your explanation of “bugs.”
Morton Bay Bug: small crayfish from the waters of Queensland and northern Australia.
Morton Bay is the body of water around Brisbane, Queensland. I’ve never eaten bugs myself as I have a shellfish allergy, but I hear they’re good!
Cheers.
— Pen Campbell
Lowbrow picks
CHICAGO — How lowbrow can you get? People, Jane, Entertainment Weekly and not the Smithsonian?
— Jacqueline C. Brave
Too many ads
BARTLETT — For most of my life, I was an avid magazine reader. We subscribed to Life, Look, Ladies Home Journal to name just a few.
Now, I never buy a magazine!! Why? There are so many advertising inserts (almost every other page!!) that it is impossible to find the actual article!! The magazines are very expensive, and I just don’t want to work that hard!
— Betty Helsper
130 pages of ads
OAK PARK — When I looked at the “50 best magazines” article and saw that Real Simple ranked No. 2, I couldn’t believe it. I had a subscription for a while, but then decided to cancel it and get my money back after realizing it is really mostly advertisements. Actually, I took the time to count the pages; of the May 2004 issue, over 130 pages of 272 were ads.
A lot of the advice they give is common sense and older than the hills too. I enjoyed some of the photography, but I would say that’s about it. I think it’s a waste of money.
— J. Laney
Beneficial for students
BUFFALO GROVE — I want to thank you for your article on the 50 best magazines. As a learning disabilities teacher for 3rd- and 4th-grade students, I have always told the parents of my students to read magazines. The articles are shorter and have a high interest for the students. This is a great way to help my students to become more fluent readers. One of my projects this summer was to make a list of children’s magazines that are available. Do you have any suggestions for me? After reading your list, I am excited to get started.
Once again, thank you for your great article!
— Lynne Stambor
More science magazines
NAPERVILLE — You did a pretty good job in selecting the best magazines. I am especially happy that you included The Economist near the top, unlike the lame list you had a few months ago. I only have one quibble. You should have included “Scientific American.” The articles are written by world-class scientists, but geared to non-specialists. It is truly a treasure. Having only one science magazine in your top 50 tells me that you underestimate the impact of science and technology on every facet of modern life.
— Shamel Shawki
Bon Appetit satisfies
GRANGER, Ind. — As an adventurous amateur cook who tries a couple of hundred new recipes every year, I take issue to your listing of favorite magazines in the food area. Cooking Light and Cook’s — yes. Gourmet on the list, but Bon Appetit omitted — no. Are we talking reading or actual cooking here?
The writing in Gourmet is elegant, but after more disappointments than successes with the actual food over three years, I canceled my subscription. Now, Bon Appetit — there’s a consistent gourmet winner! One Thanksgiving every dish I made from appetizers to multiple desserts was an untried Bon Appetit recipe. (Well, upon family ultimatum, I did have to make that celery-sage thing.) It was an outstanding spread.
Next year, I suggest more weight be given to the food part of a food magazine.
— Teresa Roberts
Look to the Left
CHICAGO — Col. McCormick would be proud — naming National Review as one of your 50 “best” magazines for its “smart, certain” right-wing ideology “for these uncertain times.” How about taking a look at my favorite, The Nation, which for more than a century has been providing a leftist, often disturbing, look at the world and speaking truth to power? Of course, it might make you abandon some dearly loved preconceptions.
— Patricia Mrazek
Topic of interest
NEW YORK — I do not normally purchase the Chicago Tribune, since I reside in NYC where one becomes overwhelmed with the choice of dailies. However, I simply had to purchase a copy when I became aware of your article. I happen to be quite the magazine devotee and was actually surprised, pleased with your list of “Best Magazines.”
I understand why almost all of the selections were made, including the underappreciated Heeb and the frequently crucified People. However, you failed to mention a rather spectacular magazine titled Topic. I am guessing that you are unaware of its existence or otherwise, I am almost positive it would have made your list.
It is quite an astonishing little publication with sharp writing, simple design and a wonderful concept. I hope that next year, you will remember to investigate Topic.
— Anna Prior
Informative Garden Gate
CHICAGO — In response to your comment, under Cook’s Illustrated that “they haven’t come out with a gardening version that gives the topic the same thorough … treatment,” Garden Gate magazine comes very, very close. This monthly publication is very informative and very thorough with few ads.
— Karen Priller
