Magazines

As perhaps the most potent new literary journal to arise in the last few years, n+1 deserves every accolade that comes its way. With an emphasis on memoir and literary essay forms, it projects a level of seriousness that is too often muted in other publications by an editorial stance favoring ironic detachment over attentive engagement. Philip Connors's memoir about his career in journalism and his years at the Wall Street Journal exemplifies this trait in the profiled issue, as does Mark Greif's "Afternoon of the Sex Children," a compelling essay dealing with America's obsession with sex and youth. Highly recommended for most public and academic libraries.

Published by the Library of American Landscape History, an organization concerned with North American landscapes and their stewardship, VIEW serves to educate readers about the value of these landscapes in American life. More of a newsletter than a magazine, it is nonetheless a worthwhile read. The profiled issue contains a thought-provoking feature on Mission 66, a somewhat divisive 1950s-era National Park Service initiative intended to improve the condition of America's national parks infrastructure, along with short articles on the preservation of Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans and Wilcox Park in Westerly, RI. VIEW is appropriate for large public and special libraries.

One of the more compelling sports-related publications to come along in a great while, this journal studies the development of America's national pastime as a major spectator sport. The premier issue is unostentatious, solid, and a great read. For fans interested in the history of the World Series, Robert H. Schaefer's "The Postseason Play of 1902" examines the challenges during the late 19th and early 20th centuries of organizing a successful interleague championship series between the National League and its competitors. For larger public and academic library collections.

Although Perspecta is the oldest student-edited architectural publication in the United States, its approach is unequivocally new in spirit. Indeed, each issue might as well be classified as a separate entity, as the design, layout, and contents are unique. The guiding theme for Perspecta 39 is "Re_Urbanism," i.e., how capital cities are reinventing themselves—architecturally speaking—around the world. Cities such as Brasília, Brussels, Belgrade, and Beijing, among others, are profiled in terms of how their architectural features inform and affect each city's social currents. Highly recommended for academic libraries with significant design and architecture collections.

Perhaps to attract advertisers and audiences, many mainstream news publications layer fluff content around the ever-vanishing incisive reportage that was once their raison d'être. While the general readership's demand for light fare is apparent, there's a now-underserved audience hungry for intelligent commentary and news coverage—a sophisticated group that Monocle looks to attract with comprehensive articles on such topics as the Norwegian economy and the Ecuadorian political landscape. Its especially suave design and well-researched content make it a good buy for libraries interested in improving their news and current events collections.

Created by the mother-daughter team of Laurie and Logan Olson, Logan Magazine seeks to promote healthy, fun lifestyles for young people with disabilities. Logan Olson, who sustained a serious brain injury at 16, epitomizes what the magazine is all about: success, toughness, and style in the face of adversity. Profiles in the Spring 2007 issue of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack; thriving restaurateur and athlete Carrie Davis, born with a congenital limb deficiency; and 19-year-old world traveler Lukas Bratcher, who has endured quadriplegia for his entire life, are especially uplifting. Logan Magazine belongs in most public libraries.