Top 12 Magazine Subscriptions

Popular Photography

I subscribed to multiple photography magazines at first when I started getting serious about photography. I subscribed to 'Photography' and 'American Photo' and this one, Popular Photography and Imaging.

Of the twelve this magazine has the most balanced amount of reviews, 'how tos', digital imaging related topics (Photoshop, etc) as well as some nice contests. Also they seem to sponsor more 'mentor series' type products where you can go to some locale and shoot photos for a reasonable fee.

Of all the magazines this also had something that was important to me - half the magazine isn't ads. Photography was the worst offender of this, there'd be 50 or so pages of weak articles, and then 50 pages solid of ads. While this one does have a chunk of ads near the back, it still has a 'back page' article and articles mixed in among the ads. And only 25% of the magazine is advertisements.

Parents

Parents magazine is a very good publication about raising kids to be happy, healthy adults. It offers some good advice about the task of parenthood, illustrating the hard work and rewards that go hand in hand if parents perform their role in the best possible manner.

This magazine as a whole, but there are a few things that potential readers need to know about before they pick up a copy to read. First of all, the articles in Parents magazine deal mostly with younger children, below twelve years of age. You won't find much of value in this magazine if you have teenagers. It is intended more for families with youngsters.

National Geographic

Is it safe to say that National Geographic is the finest magazine in the world? OK. I'll go out on a limb and say it: "National Geographic is the finest magazine in the world." There. I've said it. You simply cannot beat the always compelling writing about far-off and far-out places and thing, the stunning photography and the unobtrusive design that allows the reader to concentrate on both. Bonus: Maps! National Geographic usually has a few issues a year that feature suitable for the office wall-type maps. Who doesn't love maps? Never subscribed? Look for 3-4 long (probably about 6,000-8,000 words) features per issue. Each feature impecably written, painstakingly researched and accompanied by those jaw dropping photos. This is must-have stuff and it kicks the stuffing out of another night of TV.

Popular Science 

Popular Science focuses on a broad range of scientific topics. Without being overly technical, it discusses topics from new and upcoming products to theoretical ideas: topics like new suspension systems in next years line of sport utility vehicles, to the latest intelligence networks, to NASA's latest flying machine. It is very reader friendly and will appeal to anyone intrigued by the sciences, regardless of education.

Marie Claire

This is a great magazine - if you compare it to other women oriented magazines. the information it presents in regard to dating, sex, food, and health is much more realistic and focused then cosmo, glamour, etc. this magazine also makes a point of talking alot about womens self esteem issues, but uses different approaches. marie claire also talks about the issues that women in other countries have to face, which really gives you a unique perspective. it also has clothing options for those who need larger sizes and are looking for something.

Wired

First, you don't have to be a computer geek or nerd to enjoy this magazine. Not fond of these overused generalizations. How many of us could cross over or fit into many odd & often out of date labels? This magazine is mainly forward looking about technology, electronics, & computers. The quality & style has improved. It could always have less advertising, but that is not likely.

This is a very different type of resource, which is refreshing. It is aimed at a more diverse audience, it mixes technology, politics, & aspects of what we call "pop culture."  It varies from 170-250 pages per issue. These are its various departments. Rants & Raves: it has features & letters to the editor. Start: brief articles on electronics, science business people, architecture, art, & politics.

Esquire

Each issue of Esquire is like this: 30 pages of ads for expensive clothing, cars, cologne, and stuff like that before you even get to the table of contents. Then, in no particular order, you have an article about a celebrity you have absolutely no interest in, a feature about some clothing company or gadgets or something like that that you think is a really long ad (but isn't. Well, not officially.), a pictorial of some female celebrity you have never heard of, and one or two readable articles (these usually come in the form of short fiction or humor). Oh, and a lot more ads.

TIME

Time Magazine has a long history of providing America and the world with in depth, balanced, and thought provoking journalism. Though its news focus has broadened in recent years, the reporting itself is still solid. Time's writing is generally more balanced than Newsweek(more liberal) or US News and World Report(more conservative). Articles are generally well written, convey a large amount of detail in a short space, and provide a worldwide perspective to your mailbox. Some complain about the contents, but Time writes about the topics that are making the headlines that week, and does so in an informative, enlightening manner. It is neither liberal nor conservative, but the weekly news in a solid, digestible format.

Redbook

Redbook magazine because it's not a "fashion" magazine with a bunch of stuff no real person could/would ever afford or wear, it's not trashy like Cosmo with titles on the cover that aren't appropriate for my children to see and it's not too "home and garden" with impossibly perfect homes and decor. It's just a good magazine with articles that would be of interest to many different types of women ages 25 and up. There are health tips, afforable and wearable fashion, makeup/hair care tips, recipes, stories, etc.

Food Network Magazine

If you enjoy watching Food Network shows, you will love this magazine.
You will find not only the great recipes from Food Network but also some interesting things such as backstage story, chef surveys and etc. Almost every recipes come with beautiful pictures. You can become a huge fan of their 'almost famous..' recipes(basically copycat of famous restaurant recipes, they are very very close to the original)
 

Women's Health

Unlike many female oriented magazines this one has some fine advice on health, fitness & exercise. You won't find destructive over the top dieting tips that could make you very ill & it is not overloaded with ads like "Oxygen, Shape, & Self." For those of us who want overall fitness, cross training, interesting recipes, & new outdoor activities to try this magazine is the best one out there. Even for all of us middle aged gals trying to get back some of our youthful health & appearance

Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone keeps an eye on the music industry -- scandals, controversies, concert coverage and reviews of the latest albums. They cover quite a bit of movie stuff as well, interviewing/covering directors like Peter Jackson and Quentin Tarantino, as well as (always attractive and usually young) actors. And there's also political commentary, stubbornly one-sided and lacking in subtlety and brains.

Long ago, Rolling Stone was a force to be reckoned with. But now it's the magazine equivalent of a paunchy, wrinkled guy who buys a toupee and sports car, in a futile attempt to convince the world that he's still young and cool. Newer, wittier, more musically interesting magazines like Filter, Under the Radar and the online Kludge have slipped into the place that Rolling Stone once occupied.