Best Magazines 2003

After a steep decline from just under 1100 new magazines launched in 1998 to 745 in 2002, the number of debuts in 2003 rose back up to nearly 1000. Is the economy truly on an upswing? Many in the magazine business think so. Samir Husni, professor of magazine journalism at the University of Mississippi, says, "I've never seen so much activity. I am picking up ten, 15, 29 new magazines every week. It's unbelievable." So, there were plenty to choose from in order to compile the ten best of the year.

Speaking of trends, lifestyle magazines score pretty high, despite the surfeit of titles already available. But this year's lifestyle choices, such as the terrific Canadian publication Scarlett, offer unique perspectives on their specific areas of interest. The lifestyle field even extends into the do-it-yourself territory with do!, which makes the home-handyman movement seem more attractive.

The major publishing houses are certainly in the game as well. CondéNast has just introduced Cargo, a new men's shopping magazine, while Time, Inc. will bring out a magazine about second homes called Shelter Living.

Another positive sign? While still too early to make any definitive declarations for the 2003 bunch, nine of the ten titles listed in "Best New Magazines of 2002" are still in publication 12 months later.

bi-m. $6. Eds: Amber Jones & Brooke Phillips. Highbury House Communications, Inc., 245 Townpark Dr., Suite 550, Kennesaw, GA 30144; ISSN 1545-2204. www.dohhc.com

Capitalizing on the new D.I.Y trend, do! provides home improvement assistance in the form of both inspiration and solutions. From reinventing the whirlpool bath to a look at outdoor fireplaces, do! is great for the dreamer who is looking for ideas or the doer who wants results. However, readers planning to undertake these projects had better be well versed in D.I.Y.: no step-by-step instructions are provided. Still, do! is a strong addition to the crowded field of home improvement mags.

s-a. $18. Ed: Tod Lippy. Esopus Foundation, Ltd., 532 LaGuardia Place, #486, New York, NY 10012. ISSN 1545-9306. www.esopusmag.com

Esopus attempts the noble (if daunting) task of presenting artistic expression, in all its many forms, without the pervasive filter of commercial considerations. There are no advertisements, and editors seek content directly from creators rather than through agents or other "go-betweens." The essays and artwork contained between the oversized, matte covers are challenging and innovative, covering a wide array of subjects that inspire and provoke. The premiere issue features a piece satirizing entertainment news, an intriguing essay studying the last 100 frames of an Iranian film, an analysis of the soundtracks to news reports, and a look at the portraits of the actresses in the 1974 film The Stepford Wives. Esopus conveys artistry and the creative perspective with a fresh outlook that will appeal to those who feel the medium has been commercially oversaturated.

5/yr. $10.85. Ed: Joan Krellenstein. Brinsights, LLC, 125 E. 83rd St., Suite 5, New York, NY 10028. www.figuremagazine.com

A new fashion magazine for women whose bodies aren't model perfect, Figure is filled with terrific photography featuring clothes women actually wear. Articles cover clothing tips, such as shopping for the perfect pair of jeans and "nine-to-five" fashions, as well as lifestyle topics such as proper etiquette when responding to an invitation and a look at two women's longtime friendship. Makeovers, recipes, health and fitness ideas, accessorizing, even horoscopes—the usual gamut of fashion magazine fare—are all included but always with the end user in mind. Smart and practical, Figure is a great purchase for the women patrons of your library.

m. $29.99. Ed: Dane Baker. Deviation, 6711 Kingston Pike, Suite 202, Knoxville, TN 37919. www.polygonmag.com

Polygon certainly lives up to its subtitle. Focusing on adult gamers, this publication combines practical reviews with eye-catching graphics and wide-ranging coverage. Comprised mostly of in-depth reviews and previews of the newest video games for popular console game systems, Polygon also takes time to profile the influential people, the latest news, and future innovations in the gaming world. Covering the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox platforms, Polygon is recommended for all libraries that serve patrons with the gaming bug.

bi-m. $19.95. Ed: Dan Ho. 496 Congress St., Suite 3L, Portland, ME 04101. www.rescuemag.com

Many magazines cater to a fast-paced lifestyle: how to multitask, have both a career and a family, get by on less sleep. Rescue takes a refreshingly contrary point-of-view by emphasizing life over style and asking its readers to slow down and live simply and fully. Using funky, early Sixties graphics as a motif (in reflection of a much simpler time), Rescue 's feature articles cover composting, the inspiring story of a three-legged pet dog, and gift ideas for children to avoid that disappointing, "Is that all?" syndrome. Departments fall into four categories: "Assess" (e.g., a look at hair care during the winter months), "Analyze" (examining your tableware), "Implement" (a look at styles for men), and "Improve" (whimsical gift wrap ideas). Recipes, entertainment reviews, and regular columns on the environment, culture, finance, medicine, and design round out each issue. A fun and unique addition to libraries.

bi-m. $22.95. Ed: Anne-Marie Dekker. 700-1155 W. Pender St., Vancouver, BC V6E 2P4. ISSN 1705-8716. www.scarlett.ca

Scarlett is an elegant business/lifestyle magazine that celebrates the achievements of women in fields as diverse as business, film, and design. With style, grace, and consummate professionalism, Scarlett avoids fashion clichés, sidesteps the cutthroat rivalry of the business world, and skirts a preachy New Age tone by focusing on women as three-dimensional individuals in all their successes. Feature articles range from exploring women's relationship with ambition to the struggle for maternity and/or paternity leave that doesn't affect one's career. Regular departments such as "How She Does It," "Man Behind the Woman," and "Passport" provide shorter themed pieces. A delightful find that deserves a place in most libraries.

s-a. $10. Ed: Saaima Saiyed. PO Box 15437, Boston, MA 02215. www.shaadistyle.com

Shaadi Style Magazine (shaadi is both an Urdu and Hindi word for wedding) is the newest bridal fashion and wedding-planning publication to serve the South Asian American woman. It successfully unites the needs of the modern American woman with the traditions of South Asian culture. Covering bridal fashions for men and women, jewelry, food, entertainment, travel, and photography, it is an invaluable resource. The stunning photography and practical articles on bridal makeup, buying a first home, and deciding on an invitation are useful, while also illuminating a cultural heritage that many celebrate. Libraries with a South Asian audience will want to snap up a subscription.

bi-m. $24.95. Ed: Jane Clover Alexander. PO Box 4875, Jackson, MS 39296-4875. ISSN 1546-0037. www.southmagazine.com

South is the latest regional publication covering the people, issues, events, and popular culture of the Southeastern United States. The editors aim to show readers just how much culture this part of the country offers, and judging by the first two issues of this classy launch, there is plenty. General interest features highlight Southern celebrities such as chef Emeril Lagasse, actress Sela Ward, and designer Laurie Smith of Trading Spaces, as well as coverage of Southern style and other regional points of interest. Sassy columnists such as Grace and Adella (who enlighten us about social faux pas) and popular culture maven Kylie Adams provide an entertaining counterpoint to the political insights of Reed Branson and sports reports of Ollie Brock. Regular departments include short pieces on recognizable Southern icons (iced tea) as well as little-known hideaways (Jekyll Island, GA). With style, verve, and wit, South is a must-have for popular libraries in the region and a must consider for all others.

q. $23.80. Ed: Mark Nagata. PO Box 330235, San Francisco, CA 94133. www.super7magazine.com

Magazines on collectibles often find devoted audiences, and Super 7 should be no exception. With the pop culture boom enthusiastically embracing such phenomena as "Hello Kitty" and anime, the Japanese toy culture needs a magazine devoted to all its many wonders. This all-English publication is encyclopedic in scope, covering everything there is to know about the topic: from the toys themselves to their history, collectors, artists, and companies involved in their manufacture. Super 7 should thrill its intended audience.

bi-m. $24.95. Ed: Sue Roman. Taunton Pr., 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506. ISSN 1545-6536. taunton.com/inspiredhouse/index.asp

Eschewing the celebrity abode and luxurious showplace focus of many home decorating magazines, Taunton's Inspired House takes its readers into the homes of real people. The rooms are still beautiful, but the articles explore the stories behind them to explain why certain style choices were made. While the world of home magazines is a crowded one, Inspired House is a strong addition to Taunton's successful stable of titles, e.g., Taunton's Fine Woodworking and Threads. Each issue is filled with reliable and informative articles on design and decorating, including pros, cons, costs, and sources. Elegantly laid out, this is an inspired addition to any public library collection.