Magazines

By Clayton A. Couch -- Library Journal, 07/15/2006

Odyssey Couleur 2003. bi-m. $24.99. Ed: Nick Chiles. www.odysseymc.com/html/odyssey_couleur.html. ISSN 1545-2026. Illus. adv. Aud: GA (Subject: Multicultural Travel. Issue examined: Vol. 3, No. 6, Nov./Dec. 2005)

While first-rate photography is reason enough to peruse this attractive glossy marketed to affluent multicultural travelers, Odyssey Couleur’s in-depth profiles of travel destinations—from New Orleans to the ­Caribbean islands of Saba and St. Eustatius—make the strongest impression. Well-written articles on art, food, and creative travel ideas round out this impressive magazine, which is highly recommended for all libraries with travel collections.

Emphasizing “writing that starts with a question, or a sense of curiosity,” A Public Space is a sharp new publication that subtly restores vitality to the sometimes tiresome literary-journal format. Highlights from the first issue include a compelling essay by Marilynne Robinson, a feature section on contemporary Japanese literature, and Kelly Link’s short story “Origin Story.” A Public Space will appeal to intelligent readers not associated with university English departments, which makes it a great buy for most libraries, public and otherwise.

For sophisticated investors, stocks and commodities markets are notoriously volatile places, to be navigated with caution; for small independent investors, they can seem hazardous and incomprehensible. Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities eliminates the fear factor by educating investors large and small about the forces that drive apparent market capriciousness. Patrons interested in online trading, automated day-trading, current market patterns, and the like will want to pore over this superb publication each month.

A spin-off from the well-known book series of the same name, Chicken Soup for the Soul Magazine (CSSM) attempts to follow the same uplifting, inspirational formula that has led to so much success for the brand over the past 15 years. While the issue examined contains some solid features, such as a profile of Spanish fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, most of CSSM’s articles are too diluted to interest anyone but the most casual reader. The Chicken Soup name undoubtedly sells itself, but the magazine is only appropriate for large public libraries.

Devoted exclusively to business forecasting, FORESIGHT offers instructive peer-­reviewed articles on such topics as forecasting with neural networks, corporate culture’s impact on sales forecasting, and overcoming bias in the forecast process. Anne McLaughlin, the mag’s design editor, deserves kudos for creating an easy-to-read article template, replete with clean, nonintrusive graphs and tables. Recommended for corporate libraries and most academic libraries.

Although it’s no longer the only quality low-calorie cooking publication on the newsstand, 20-year-old Cooking Light continues to be the premier magazine in its category for one reason: its delicious yet healthy dishes. Each hefty issue presents a bevy of easy-to-prepare recipes for entrées, sides, and desserts alongside mouth-watering photographs. As increasing numbers of Americans battle weight issues, a magazine like Cooking Light is even more relevant now than it was in the mid-1980s. A good buy for most libraries.

New releases in the crowded field of parenting magazines have a hard time differentiating themselves. Wondertime, with its focus on helping “parents nurture their children’s love of learning,” is clearly a strong publication, but it’s uncertain whether its articles about backyard games for kids, activities to help children learn about time, and storytelling tips for parents give it enough of an identity. However, novelty isn’t everything, and this quarterly’s emphasis on practical solutions for parents is a good enough reason for most public libraries to carry it.

Published by Colorado State University’s Department of English, Colorado Review is more than just another academic literary journal. While it’s not nearly as ambitious or energetic as A Public Space (above), its poetry section stands out for its diversity and breadth. The Fall 2005 issue, for example, dedicates space to both the powerful first-person lyrical poems of Cynthia Cruz and to the radiantly fractured lines of Jennifer K. Dick. For libraries with strong contemporary literature collections.