Some quick news to get out of the way, I’ve got to face some realities, between new motherhood, a full-time job, all my Sims builds, and Mag Club, something has to give. So, I’m scaling back on Mag Club. What does this mean for you?

So far, I’m only scaling back on the retail side of things, and, as a result, I’m offering all y’all a big discount. I’m selling all magazines at cost (if not below) to help them go to a good home. For anyone who has been eyeing a magazine on the site, this is the time. Use the discount below for 40% off any purchase on the site for the next two weeks.

I will continue to carry a small quantity of the ‘Club Reads’ and paying subscribers can still use their standard discount towards that.

Events will also continue to be pared back, with a primary focus on our quarterly discussions and occasional one-offs. The Substack will remain the primary ‘club headquarters, and if anything I’ll try to post on social more.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

Club Updates:

• Discount Code: GETYOURMAGS

• Fall Club Read will be Announced Soon!

• Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review! Send a reply back to this newsletter with your review, and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text-heavy or image-heavy? Shallow or deep?)

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, and observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

SYNONYM: Wrapping Up!!

Editorial: Boy, I love a magazine that teaches me something without it being a chore. The editorial team cultivated a wide swath of articles and interviews that nodded at the theme without being obnoxious about it. As always, some pieces are stronger than others, but even those that aren’t quite as polished still feel memorable and worth reading. As someone who grew up close to the Twin Cities (or ‘the cities’ if you will), I particularly appreciated the MN love.

Design: Bold and dynamic, one of the more memorable things that I noticed was the lack of gutter in much of the type design, particularly when set against an image or initial cap. It brought to mind crowded markets, jostling shoulder to shoulder with strangers. Or even how luxury is usually connotated by space and privacy (think every high-end luxury magazines and their minimalist spreads), and vice versa, yet that’s hardly an indicator of quality.

Also, three cheers for not just spiral binding, but spiral binding with purpose. Prop your issue up and cook the recipes inside with ease. chef’s kiss

Overall: I have absolutely read in the past and will absolutely continue to read. Synonym feels like a unique contribution to the wealth of food magazines and is especially worth revisiting once in your personal collection. Care to share your thoughts?

Additional Reading:

• Above the Fold | A delightful and colorful zine dedicated to dumplings.

• Journal Safar | Graphic design and visual culture with a political lean.

• Chutney | Everyday stories that center on “global minorities and its diaspora”.

Buy Synonym

Magazine Ideas Up for Grabs

Astrology but Not

Put your birth chart away, this is not just an indulgent magazine-length horoscope for you to self-obsess over. Equally for the folks who fervently believe and those who don’t, the idea for this magazine is that the content is fairly typical, but it’s the contributors (and their birth dates) who matter. A quarterly issue is dedicated to earth, air, water, or fire signs, and all content must be submitted by those whose signs fall into the respective categories. Will an unspoken pattern reveal itself? Does the fact that they know if they’re an air sign already create bias? Only time–and multiple issues will tell.

BoredGame

Each issue is actually a collection of parts for a scrappy, yet inspired DIY board game. Subscribers will get the pleasure of assembling the bobs and bits, sorting the cards, and, of course, reading the instructions. Included will also be a brief mini-zine about the board game creators themselves for further reading and joy. Game nights will be forever changed, and indie game designers will have their testing grounds. Win-win-win.

How to Converse With Strangers

Clearly, society is a bit lacking here, so it’s about time some kind-of guide was produced. Complete with topic suggestions, easy-out’s for when a convo turns sour, and even an authentically transcribed conversation between two strangers. See where things went wrong or where a seed of friendship was planted with your own very eyes. Naturally, there’s a romance issue that comes out every February.

DIY Encyclopedia

Just as much a practical user’s guide as it is a window into the modern craftsperson’s life, each issue of this magazine is dedicated to a general trade or skill with helpful, inspired DIYs inside. Think one issue per year dedicated to carpentry and woodworking, another to sewing, and perhaps even one for herbalism. There’d be DIYs of varying difficulties worth referencing back to, and select lifestyle pieces to keep you entertained between projects.

Cultural Influence

Think of this as an intimate dinner party hosted by the coolest person you’ve never met. Each issue is guest-curated by a person of interest, and contains all the best parts of a well-hosted event. Go-to recipes, complimentary music, drink pairings, and of course, satisfying conversation. Each ‘dinner party guest’ would contribute a piece in dialogue with the rest of the magazine or be interviewed by the host themselves. The goal is to finish reading the magazine, dabbling in the multimedia and experiences as you can, and leave fully satiated in the way only a memorable evening can. But even better? You can relive it every time you crack the spine.

Read more

I hope the humidity of this cursed summer is treating you well. I hope you’ve enjoyed escapes from your day-to-day life that invite more time for leisure activities such as reading a print magazine. I hope that, above all else, you’ve enjoyed a truly spectacular piece of watermelon–because what is summer without one?

We’re approaching the wind down of our parlance with Synonym magazine, and I’ll be sending an update about our in-person discussion in the weeks following. Same goes for what we’re reading next…But don’t rush to finish, Synonym is worth a thoughtful read.

Additionally, time continues to prove my ambitions for magazine reading do not match my reality, so magazine reviews will now be quarterly. This will especially make it easier to expand beyond the magazine titles I carry, which if I’m being honest, is what I’d like to do. The reviews are just as much for magazine discovery for me as I hope they are for you. For instance, I’m reading the first issue of Cream, and it’s got me jazzed–stay tuned.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

Club Updates:

• Synonym Discussion: Tentative Date 8/21 @ Fort Greene Park

• 8/19: Pop-up @ Upcoming Market Event at Williamsburg Wharf

• Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review! Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review, and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text-heavy or image-heavy? Shallow or deep?)

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, and observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

SYNONYM: JUDGING A COVER

An indie magazine starts to find itself a few issues deep. The editorial team has likely found what is worth the effort, what no longer serves the mission, and where they want to grow. Some of these changes can be evident from the cover alone.

If you look back at the covers of the past three issues of Synonym (which I’ll conveniently include here), you might notice a shift. The first two issues (Pantry and Rice & Beans) have an almost Dutch still-life quality about them with compositions featuring the issue’s namesake. The third issue, which covered spices, began to zoom out both literally and figuratively, featuring a full-bleed photo of someone (who I assume) is carrying a bountiful bouquet of fresh spices and herbs in front of a market stall. It’s become clearer that the topic at hand isn’t just about what’s on the table but the context around it.

Now, with this present issue, not only is the theme more abstract, but the cover is too. I’d hate to prescribe my own thoughts to you, but with my musings above in mind, what does the different approach to the cover say about this issue, and how does it speak to the maturation of Synonym magazine?

P.S. All paid subscribers will find a discount code for Synonym at the bottom of the newsletter.

Buy Synonym

Magazines Fit for a Teen

Tiger Beat. J-14 Magazine. Elle Girl. YM. CosmoGirl. Bop. What do these things have in common? Well, two things actually: they’re teen magazines, and they’ve permanently folded. Shout to Seventeen for hanging in there (even if only digitally).

If you hadn’t realized, younger generations (Z and Alpha) are yearning for the simpler times of the late 90s and early aughts. Flip phones, those link bracelets that pinch your arm hair, and point + shoots like the one sitting in my desk drawer as we speak (I lost the battery charger and I don’t want to talk about it). Teen magazines are an obvious next step. It’s the same song and dance of people seeking the sweet shelter of digitally disconnected media, but with the twist of giving an experience to those who never had it. It’s practically a new frontier.

W Magazine is one of the first major publications to–not even return to print, but–create a whole new sister publication. Their reason? “71% of Gen Z feel print magazines have a stronger sense of authenticity than digital ones”

I do not blame them.

The capitalist drum has never beaten louder on social media (no matter how the brands try to outsmart their consumers) and AI is a curse on the house of media literacy. It feels like everything has an agenda or is completely fabricated, and with the whole hard-sell of ‘community’ on social media clearly exposed for what it is, people, especially those of an age who are known to be *finding themselves*, need to look elsewhere.

Back when I myself was an avid reader of Cosmogirl, Seventeen, and the Delia*s catalog, I felt those pages were feeding me pieces of my future self. I just needed to sort through and piece them together in the right way. I felt this so strongly that I would go on to cut out articles, glue them to the pages of notebooks, and then take those notebooks with me to college where I had finally escaped to the east coast and felt my life was beginning. As a naive little weirdo living in a trailer in Wisconsin, it seemed like magazines were the only ones who could show me the way.

And I KNOW I’m not alone. They fed the dreams of many, for some that’s how the seeds of journalism career sprouted and for others, the torn pages at least made a super cool wallpaper for your bedroom.

In a time when everyone’s voice is screaming in your ear, it’s nice to know there are those creating quieter channels for people who seek them. I hope WYouth goes on to nourish the minds of little weirdos everywhere. I for one, will get an issue for my beloved-ly strange niece.

Oh, and Sofia Coppola will have a hand in it for what it’s worth. First issue drops in September.

Read more

As you might have noticed I’m sending the June edition in July–I blame the baby. But as I’m starting to fully embrace normalcy (going back to work), I assure you things will be moving back on track.

This also means in-person events will be back, starting with our in-person discussion for Synonym in August. So if you’ve been slacking on your club reading, now’s the time to get caught up.

In other news, the latest McSweeney’s and Paris Review alongside Upstate Diary have hit the stacks. Now I try to only carry magazines I love but…well you’ll see. Are there any magazines that *you* love that I should be stocking? Let a girl know.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, and observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

SYNONYM: Recipe Required?

I’ve written about the popularity of food zines and indie magazines before, Synonym being one of them. Cake Zine, however, is arguably far more well known but I’ve noticed something over the years…is it just me or are the recipes becoming less and less? And as a food zine with non-existent (or very few) recipes they are not alone and frankly, it confuses me.

First of all, I love any content that a magazine includes that encourages participation beyond the page (one of the reasons I love McSweeney’s) and for a food publication that’s an obvious thing to do! How magical, to take your words and have your readers actually taste, smell, and experience them.

Now don’t get confused, Synonym does have some recipes included (pg. 23-27, 44-45) and I beg you to make one and let me know how it changes your reading experience.

P.S. All paid subscribers will find a discount code for Synonym at the bottom of the newsletter.

Buy Synonym

UPSTATE DIARY #22 | I’m not sure what I expected, but this magazine simultaneously both met and fell short of those expectations. For one, the interviewees all seem cut from a verrrrry similar cloth and left me less inclined to read each one. Also, it hurt my ego to be reading about all these folks who can seemingly afford to pursue their passions without concern for paying rent. Had this magazine included glimpses into the more humble yet just as authentically upstate folks (thinking generational mom & pop shops or farmers), it’d be richer for it. But this is only one issue, maybe they have? [Buy the Magazine - see for yourself]

Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review!

Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text-heavy or image-heavy? Shallow or deep?)

Magazines & More for Littles

In case you missed it, I have a kid now! Naturally, that has me thinking about magazines for my child who barely sees my face. While Highlights and National Geographic Kids! have been staying strong, it’s a comfort to see a fresh crop of publications to replace the ones of my youth (R.I.P. Disney Adventures). And while a magazine for an actual baby may be too ambitious (although it does exist), it’s never too early to foster a passion for independent print and screen-free joy.

Additionally, just because I can, and my Pinterest algorithm has crossed over to the other side, I’ve rounded up a few things for an ideal childhood reading nook.

• Illustoria | Started by a children’s literature editor in 2016, Illustoria is now published under McSweeney’s. It’s just as much about entertaining kids with impactful visuals and stories as it is with giving them the inspiration and tools they need to tap into their own creativity.

• Honest History | As you may have surmised from the title, Honest History is powered by a mission to engage young, curious minds with well-rounded stories grounded by facts. They hope to help readers better their media literacy one magazine or book at a time.

• Kazoo | A ‘magazine for noisy girls’ this local (published out of Brooklyn) magazine serves up a slew of content for girls 5-12 (although I’m sure there’s content any gender could enjoy). You’ll find recipes, science stories, engaging art, and DIY opportunities in each issue.

• Bobbety | A quarterly feast for the young eyes, Bobbety was started by a graphic designer (as if you couldn’t tell). It’s a mix of science, history, culture, and activities all packed into bold, playful design.

• Spark | Seeking something to keep little hands busy? Spark is literally (cover-to-cover) full of activities. It’s easy, it’s breezy and it’ll help feed their brains.

In Photo: Bookcase, Star Pillow, Rug, Dog & Light

Read more

Excited to announce the official Mag Club Summer Pick: Synonym #4.

How do they describe their magazine? “At Synonym, we are telling immigrant stories through food. As strangers in a new land, a taste of home can provide comfort and familiarity. Bringing those tastes together with the food at hand creates new traditions, a new heritage.”

Issue #4, Enclaves, focuses on the communities within a community. Self-forged, these neighborhoods, towns, etc. have their own unique identity and rich culture.

Design-wise, it’s a spiral-bound beauty full of vibrant color and unapologetic design. This is clearly a project built with passion, and that’s what makes it such a fun read.

What’s the deal with Club Reads?

• All Substack Subscribers have access to supporting reading material to enrich your Synonym reading experience and an invite to our in-person discussion (held in Brooklyn) at the end of the season.

• Paid Substack Subscribers get all that and a 30% discount off the cover price all summer long (you’ll find it below), while supplies last.

• Founding Members/Auto-Send Magazines Subscribers will automatically get Synonym #4 sent to their door. Shipments will go out by the end of this week.

Buy the Magazine

Read more

Summer has started and I’m still on Mat leave so I’m feeling like I’m on summer vacation again: stretches of idle hours, building over detailed houses on the sims, watching a mind numbing amount of tv & movies, and, of course, reading some magazines.

I’ll circle back to the whole movie and tv shows for our feature, but for now I’m just checking in. We just wrapped our ‘Spring Season’ with Broadcast, and I’m eager to hear what you think. Now I know it’s definitely a text heavy magazine, so even if you didn’t finish, please let me know your thoughts.

In a few days, I’ll be announcing our Summer Club Pick. If you’re new to the club or simply forgot, that also means a new Club Member discount to cash in so keep your peepers peeled on Substack (and Instagram) for updates.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, and observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

BROADCAST WRAP-UP + REC’s:

It’s time to close the cover on Broadcast. If you didn’t finish, I highly recommend hanging on to it and revisiting it. This kind of content has no time limit and provides healthy exercise for your brain.

In the absence of our usual meetings, you Substack subscribers are stuck with just my thoughts (how unusual for a newsletter written by one person). As you may have sensed through the past ‘Season Read Spotlight’s, I’m a big fan of Broadcast. There’s nothing that I love more than a magazine that makes me feel like I’m back in college in a class I actually enjoy.

It doesn’t hurt that Broadcast looks fucking cool. In the past, I’ve talked about magazines that seem like just an excuse to design a ‘thing,’ but this is a perfect example of memorable design actually following and complimenting the content. Makes sense considering Pioneer Works as a whole.

While this magazine may not be for everyone, I hope you walked away with a new nugget of knowledge or at least enjoyed the typography (at least!). If you enjoyed Broadcast, I’ve included a couple of recommendations below.

• Cabinet Art and culture magazine that’s not afraid to do a deep dive and geek out a bit. Published out of NYC, I’ve been reading Cabinet since college.

• Farsight Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, this magazine leans more tech and science with a nuanced perspective. I’m a big fan.

• The Idler Dedicated to inspiring readers to embrace a slow life, this UK magazine has a mix of everything. While I haven’t personally read this one, it’s been on my list for a minute.

Buy Broadcast

BROADCAST #3 | Read above! If you’re local to NYC, please read the article on daylighting urban streams/creeks etc. It’ll make you want to spend an afternoon exploring the Bronx. [Buy the Magazine]

A Rabbits Foot #13 | Another movie/art/music magazine but ‘devised by producer, writer, and filmmaker Charles Finch’ (he also has a bar I believe?). While some intros felt a bit redundant, the interviews were largely smart and diverse. The minimal design is smartly worked around the film stills/art/editorial shoots that do the real visual heavy lifting. Would read again. [Learn More]

Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review!

Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text-heavy or image-heavy? Shallow or deep?)

Magazines are for Girls, Newspapers are for Boys

The return of The Devil Wears Prada got me thinking about magazine movies again (Disclaimer: I have yet to see the sequel, so this is no reflection on that movie specifically.), but this time I started to realize something. Is print media, like so many other things, unnecessarily gendered?

Think about it: what are the movies you most likely associate with magazines? The Devil Wears Prada? 13 Going on 30? How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? Now, what about movies centered around newspapers? Are the posters of All the President’s Men, Spotlight, and Citizen Kane dancing before your eyes? They should be.

Regardless, looking at that list, it’s easy to see a trend. Magazines appear to be reserved for romcom’s, where the women (and select men) glide around the chic offices of glossy publications, debate styling choices, and appear to make half their salary by making witty remarks. Even when the romcom is playing with gender stereotypes, as is the case in Down with Love, the man is working at a similarly fluffy magazine, just one that’s positioned differently. This is further reinforced by the few TV shows of that world, namely The Bold Type, The Carrie Diaries, and Ugly Betty. And while many protagonists fight against the *fluff* and crave real reporting, that’s merely a plot device.

Now compare that to a ‘newspaper’ movie: you’ve got (mostly) men in suits, cramped bullpens piled high with paper, and a central theme that speaks to our nation’s very moral compass. With accents of war, espionage, and Pulitzer-worthy reporting, these films are the very opposite of escapist, they’re often inspired by real-world stories. Not to mention, no clothing racks in sight.

Naturally, exceptions exist: Almost Famous centers around a more masculine magazine experience (although it can be argued the magazine is still more of a vehicle for getting the two protagonists together) and, conversely, His Girl Friday is considered a classic romcom that is decidedly focused on newspapers.

These gendered contrasts are obvious and disappointing, but even more insulting, there’s the connotation that magazine journalism is not only inherently feminine but also, simply, less serious. This is demonstrated by the very treatment of the news media within these films. Newspaper movies are truly about journalism and the power of reporting. It’s the anchor to the whole plot; the very reason the movie exists and why my journalism professors constantly talked about them. For magazines? It’s a backdrop or plot device. You can change the protagonist’s career, make some small tweaks, and, for the most part, a movie like 13 Going on 30 is unchanged.

It’s frustrating to see such a large, diverse industry conveyed through such a narrow, flat lens. It’s the reason a show like Minx stands out. It actually gave a glimpse inside the industry itself, the complexities of running a publication, and the power of a magazine’s unique position for storytelling. But of course, that TV show got cancelled.

Writing to you during my day-job mat-leave, so I hope you feel oh-so-special. Now admittedly, I haven’t gotten much reading done. I have hopes that will change in the near future but doesn’t really feel like my call.

Anyway, for those participating in our Spring Read, I hope you’ve been enjoying it. If you really want a full immersive experience, there’s no better time to plan an excursion to Red Hook and visit Pioneer Works in the flesh (more on that below).

Otherwise, in club news, a few new titles have been added to the site (Cake Zine coming soon!) and a limited curation will be available at the new location of The Goods Mart in South Williamsburg (opening early May).

Fingers crossed the weather truly starts to warm up and park reads are in everybody’s future!

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, and observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

Pioneer Works (the place)

Located in an 1860s iron manufacturing factory (think railroad tracks, etc.), Pioneer Works–the cultural community center–was founded by artist Dustin Yellin and inspired by communities like Black Mountain College.

Opened in 2012, the vision was to bring together artists, scientists and thinkers so they can work together in real time. Across the three floors of the space you’ll find recording studios, tech labs, a garden, a dark room and more living among current exhibitions.

But how does the physical space that inspired a publication influence its design? That’s something I want you to keep in mind as you lose yourself among the niche deep dives (like mammals mating in space) of Broadcast.

Are you able to see hints of the industrial history of the building? How do they speak to their multi-displenary approach to ‘curation’ (quotes only because I’d include the workshops, etc. among the exhibitions)? What about their aspirations for lifelong learning? Think about it, will ya?

Buy Broadcast

Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review!

Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text heavy or image heavy? Shallow or deep?)

STONER MAGAZINES

Sure it’s a few days past 4-20 but as a casual cannabis user who hasn’t been able to partake for the greater part of the year…grant me some leeway.

During the mid-aughts indie magazine renaissance, it seems a popular topic for publications was weed. That period saw the birth of Broccoli (2017), Gossamer (2018), Mary (2019), and Kitchen Toke (2017), among others. It was a real moment that you can further read about in The New York Times and AIGA.

In addition to providing an alternative to longstanding magazines like the iconic High Times in both aesthetics and editorial direction, most of these newer additions to the scene targeted the ‘female’ smoking experience.

What exactly is the ‘female’ smoking experience according to these magazines?

• Elevated Design (less head shop more Soho boutique)

• Multi-dimensional Lifestyle (beyond straight ‘weed content’ these magazines extended their content to encompass pieces that may pique your altered-self’s interests, i.e. recipes, hyper-niche industries, in-magazine activities, etc.)

• Aspirational Smoking (shopping rec’s that are artful, discreet and at times, a wee bit spendy—looking at you Flower by Edie Parker).

Now in the year 2026, the cannabis industry is quite different–legalization is far more common, chic weed dispensaries are duking it out for neighborhood footholds, VC’s are investing in cannabis cocktails, and even grandmas may be partaking in a toke or two (and not keeping it secret). Weed has never been more prevalent, yet the same can’t be said for those same trend-setting publications listed above.

While it should be noted that it’s not uncommon for indie magazines to fold after a handful of years, none of the titles appear to still be in print. Broccoli lasted the longest and while the hero title is no longer, the editorial team is still putting out magazines like Mildew, Calling All Horse Girls, Mildew and Heartbeat.

Is the demystification of cannabis the reason for their downfall? Is it like when my dad offered me my first sip of beer at eight years old and turned me off of drinking until I was of legal age?

There are undoubtedly more stories to tell around cannabis and the multifaceted culture around it–that hasn’t changed, and personally, I’d still love a publication like Gossamer to thumb through, but I suppose in the narrow-margined world of cannabis publication, it may just be too niche an audience. Especially when you’re competing with social media and…well smoking itself.

Read more

Spring is truly here in the city and isn’t that special. Weather is warmer, kids and tourists are out & about, and we’re in that sweet spot where the sun is out and the garbage doesn’t stink quite yet. Enjoy it. Relish it.

Around this time last month we had our Blumenhaus discussion and it was a delight! Some new and familiar faces showed up to the Downtown Brooklyn Ace to dive deep into the world of botanicals. Apologies to the kind guests who unintentionally joined simply by way of proximity, but here’s hoping they didn’t mind the stimulating conversation.

These meetings are always so re-energizing and truly at the heart of Mag Club, and while I’ll be on mat-leave ice, don’t let that stop you from having your own magazine convos–even if just with a roommate.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, and observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

Art Meets Science

Where does the art end and the science begin? As a reminder, Broadcast comes to use from Pioneer Works. a community and cultural hub that’s equally as dedicated to showcasing the works artists and creatives, as it is in providing space and resources to help folks explore their interests.

It’s easy to keep these two worlds separate, with one being notably objective while the other supremely subjective, and that’s what makes Broadcast so noteable and, in my opinion, a worthwhile read. It fully embraces the muddy bits in–between, the grey area where answers perhaps aren’t concrete but inspire more questions. Inspire a sense of curiosity.

As you read through (psst, there are still a few copies left), consider how these two ideas of art and science intersect and impact your understanding of the material. Is one side of the coin more memorable? Why is that? Does your perspective change as you get deeper into the magazine? Strip the magazine of one, and does it change the audience/purpose?

Buy Broadcast

• The Bowery Review #3: As someone who loves to laugh (highly recommend McSweeney’s Internet Tendency) and a home-grown publication, I was excited to see this little number on the shelves at Iconic. It is a nice, easy, breezy read, but the humor wasn’t quite my style. Maybe it’s yours?

• Heartbeat #1: Strangely enough, when I first started reading Heartbeat, it reminded me so much of Broadcast. They brought together music and science but in a way that was interesting and informative. The later half of the magazine starts to feel more traditional to a music magazine, but they’ve struck a great balance. [SHOP]

Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review!

Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text heavy or image heavy? Shallow or deep?)

MAG CLUB ANNIVERSARY REFLECTION

Around this time in 2019, I kicked off the first iteration of Mag Club. Just a simple post-work hangout with a couple like-minded coworkers. Now it’s been… 7 years, 28 quarterly reads, and just as many in-depth discussions. While I’ve always appreciated the ebb and flow of the club, I’m really grateful for all the support this passion project has allowed me to carry over to the indie publications at the heart of it all. Anyway, here’s some reflections from my time as a DIY founder who has no idea what she’s doing.

TAKE THE HELP

Not only did my dear friend Diane encourage me to start the club, but she was integral to the brand itself. From the original design, website build out, and immeasurable support, there’s no way I could’ve made any of this happen without her. And she wasn’t alone, other friends along the way have helped coordinate events, helped with newsletters, and been reliable sounding boards. When you’re doing something on your own, you never want to assume help from others, but when it comes knockin’, open the door and remember to say thank you.

ACCEPT THE FUCK-UP’S

I would never expect anyone to ask me for advice (I am a headless chicken) but this is the biggest lesson I’m still focused on learning. When you’re striking out on your own, truly on your own, no amount of experience can really prepare you. You may excel in one area, like logistics, but inevitably you’ll fall short somewhere else. Mistakes will happen, might as well learn from them… and maybe write about in your diary (I do).

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR $$$

Whether or not big bucks are dancing in your eyes when you start out, anything that will cost you money needs to be done intentionally. Know your numbers, and update them frequently. While Mag Club isn’t a master money maker, I’ve been able to maintain because it’s a manageable cost year-over-year. While it can limit the club’s growth, it works for me because I’m in no rush for explosive success. To be honest, if it happened, I’d probably have a nervous breakdown.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT FROM IT

While I think most people who start a passion project or side hustle fantasize about financial success and the ability to eventually pursue it full-time, the odds just aren’t in your favor. Or maybe it’s just me. Regardless, while my own magazine store would be a dream, it’s not my sole goal with Mag Club. I’m not lying when I say that the meetings, connections, and supporting these small publishers gives me my real drive, I’m being honest.

NO BETTER COMMUNITY THAN THE MAGAZINE COMMUNITY

It’s a small world out here and pretty much everyone I’ve met reminds me of why I started this club. No one in this world is making boatloads of money, so the ones who’ve hung in there clearly have a passion for it. From the publishers to the shop owners to the event organizers these folks are all A+ and doing everything they can to keep this industry alive. Print will never die and don’t let them convince you otherwise.

Read more

Broadcast definitely skews more text heavy and might remind you of college reading, but I assure you, it’s college reading that you’d actually want to dive into. Each topic is rich with nuance and unique perspectives that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.

For example, these are some of the bits you’ll find in this third issue: “a conversation with Miranda July; explorations of undersea cartography and baby-making on Mars; new essays by Catherine Lacey and Marcus J. Moore; fiction by Chris Kraus; drawings from Daniel Johnston; poetry by Eileen Myles, Brandon Kilbourne, and Ariana Reines, and more.”

Content aside, it’s also beautifully designed while practicing restraint, and a typography obsessive’s dream. If you read any magazine this spring, make it this one.

Buy the Magazine

IF YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO ‘AUTO-SEND MAGAZINES’: Magazines will be sent out by this Saturday.

Read more

Okay, I have some news to share. It’s not because I think you’re invested in my personal life, but because it will impact some things. I am very pregnant and due in April.

As a reminder for new faces or casual hangabouts, Mag Club is a solo endeavor. To give myself some time to adjust I will be taking a ‘Mat leave’ of sorts from Mag Club.

What does this look like for you? Monthly newsletters and quarterly reads will still be a thing (I’ll be announcing our Spring Pick at the end of the month), but events/pop-up’s will be on hold until this summer. The online store will also still be up & running per usual.

And that’s really it! Basically, I just wanted to give some context in case my magazine reportage becomes increasingly bizarre in the coming months.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

CLUB UPDATES:

• Blumenhaus Discussion: February 27th

  • Reminder to those who are attending…bring your magazine please <3

• New Season Pick Announced on March 1st-ish.

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

Excited to get into the nitty gritty with those attending the discussion tomorrow! But if for those that can’t come but thoroughly enjoyed our winter read, I wanted to share some suggested readings to keep the biophilic vibes going.

What to read next:

• The Plant; Similar in size and vibe to Blumenhaus but less ‘art book-y’ and more grounded, this magazine is a lovely read. A personal highlight is their recurring series where they join someone on their regular walk as they interview them. Charmingly simple.

• RakesProgress; Personally haven’t read but it’s been on my list. Another botany x modern creative lens magazine, they’ll cover somewhat similar topics to Blumehaus but has a more traditional editorial design approach. Less art book more art magazine.

• Luncheon; Not so much garden and plants, but still very art-infused (like our dear Blumenhaus) Luncheon is a large format magazine that brings together art, fashion and food. Serious cultural cache here.

• Weird Walk; If the folklore side of this issue got you going, I highly recommend diving into the world of zine collective Weird Walk. Produced out of the UK, you could mistake it for an A24 merch collab. DIY informed designed and hyper-niche topics and perspectives…great for an obsessive.

• Blumenhaus #6: Blumenhaus continues to be a stand-out for their design. Layered, thoughtful, and delightfully maximalist, the founders’ backgrounds in illustration and design is clear. While some of the actual text can be a bit dry, their interviews are reliably interesting and with folks you’re unlikely to read about elsewhere.

Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review!

Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text heavy or image heavy? Shallow or deep?)

Get To Know Our Friendly Librarian: Nikki

A brief introduction by Jasmine: Nikki initially reached out to the Mag Club IG (or email?) to share interest in working together, which was a very easy yes! I had no idea the breadth of the collection at NYPL but now can’t imagine a Mag Club ‘Season’ without a visit. Between Nikki and Peter, the pulled curations for each visit are as expansive as they are nuanced. Also just great to be among like-minded folks to geek out over magazines.

[Interview has been edited slightly for length reasons.]

What is your role at the NYPL and specifically with the magazine collection?

I am a Librarian in the General Research Division, located in the Rose Main Reading Room at the 42nd Street Library. My primary role is to help patrons navigate our vast general collections, whether they connect with us in person, by email, or virtually.

A wonderfully diverse part of these holdings is our magazine and periodical collection. It’s a trove of thousands and thousands of foreign and domestic titles. We have a variety of titles, including the earliest and latest issues of Vogue, niche trade publications for funeral directors and astrologers, house organs from companies like the IRT, and queer magazines in composite microform reels.

What inspired you to pursue being a librarian? What was the journey like to find yourself here? This could be academically but also outside of school.

My path really started during my undergrad, when I volunteered at the Austin History Center. I was working on a project reviewing LGBTQIA+ nightlife history, digging through old magazines. Being born and raised in Austin helped me navigate my relationship with my hometown, and it showed me that communities can access and connect with their own history at the public library.

At the time, I felt a little lost about my future because I had already decided the year before not to go to law school. My mentor, who was an archivist, encouraged me to look into library school, and it was a total “Aha!” moment. After graduation, I moved to NYC and went to Pratt Institute for my MLIS.

What was your experience with magazines growing up? What was the first magazine you remember loving or subscribing to?

My dad is a car magazine enthusiast, and one of the earliest magazines I remember reading was Lowrider, a popular Chicano car and cultural magazine. Not that I understood what I was reading, but when I would grab the mail and the magazine was there, I usually sat down and read it from cover to cover.

I used to live in the magazine section at Walmart or Borders (RIP) and always begged my dad to buy me J-14 and M magazine. I would compare the posters to see which one had my celebrity crush on it because I was only allowed one at a time. Teen Vogue and Rookie (if this counts!) were the first ones I actually sat down and digested as I got older.

The Twilight cast cover of Vanity Fair, and the special edition of People magazine featuring the Jonas Brothers, were two of my most treasured issues.

What have you learned about the magazine industry since starting your role at NYPL?

Mainly, how lucky we are to be in New York City. There is so much history and influence right here. For instance, Reader’s Digest was created in the DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room. A large number of publishers are within walking distance of the library. Beyond that, I’ve learned that print has always held value, and the vast range of magazines in our collection and the researchers who come in from all over to see them demonstrate that.

How do you see the industry evolving over the next few years?

I once heard a good quote: print magazines never left; people are just rediscovering them. There was this weird digital age where some only published online and didn’t see value in print. I’m happy to see this resurgence of analog, and I think digital and print can work together to convey a magazine’s message. I also hope this encourages the formation of different types of niche magazines.

What makes a ‘good’ magazine in your eyes?

From the variety I’ve come across, it varies. A ‘good’ magazine has a clear audience, whether it’s broad or very niche, if the cover and visual layout are engaging and consistent, and has really, really good content.

What kind of magazines attract you personally and what are some personal, subscription worthy favorites?

The only magazine I’m currently digitally subscribed to (and my absolute favorite) is Texas Monthly. The storytelling, interviews, and its approach to exploring everything from food and state parks to everyday life are reported so well. When I go home to Austin, I always pick up the latest print copy. It really eases the homesickness I get from time to time. Skip Hollandsworth is an incredible writer, and two of my favorite articles are “Faith, Friendship, and Tragedy at Santa Fe High” and “O Sister, Where Art Thou?”

I don’t have much space in my apartment now, so I’m drawn to magazines I know I’ll revisit, and I still buy one if it features celebrities I like (some habits you never outgrow!). Lately, I’ve been enjoying a UK magazine called Tummy Ache and the AirMail digital newsletter, which keeps me updated on what is being published in the magazine world.

How do you approach curating the selection for mag club visits?

There’s a lot of thinking that goes into it. As soon as Jasmine lets me know what the theme is based on what the MagClub is reading, that’s when we start thinking.

First, what are some obvious choices that should be jotted down? Then it varies by theme, especially in historical magazines. For instance, for the botanical theme, my co-worker Peter and I went to the Picture Collection for visual aid to consider our varied relationships with the botanical world. From there, we generate keywords to surface relevant magazines in the collection. Herbs, plants, soil, hemp, medicine, and witchcraft were some of the keywords we used.

We’ll request everything that looks interesting in the catalog, then decide which to select for the visit. We generally ask ourselves: Is this related? Is it visually pleasing? If there’s no imagery, is the text digestible enough? Since the visits are only one to two hours, these questions are necessary.

For current magazines, it’s way easier; we just go to the DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room, flip through the issues on the shelf, and pick what we like, haha.

How can people take advantage of the magazine collection at the NYPL?

All you need is a library card; that’s the key to accessing both historical and current magazines. The collection is incredibly vast, so to help you get started, I’d recommend first checking out the research guide, Researching Magazines at NYPL.

You can also dive in by exploring a blog post my colleague Mia and I co-wrote titled “Queer Voices in Print: Magazines From the General Research Division.” It’s a great example of how deep and varied our holdings are, and it might inspire your own research path.

Magazine Sale!!

From now through next Friday 2/20, y’all are invited to take $5 off any online purchase of $30 or more! Just use this discount code: FIVEDOLLARS@LE

As an extra incentive we also have two new titles on the virtual rack: Heartbeat & A Passion Thing. Check ‘em out!

SHOP MAG CLUB

RSVP for our Blumenhaus Discussion

The club is gathering (for the last time for a while) at the Lobby Bar at the Ace Hotel in Downtown Brooklyn on Friday 2/27. Whether you’ve read the mag or not, all Mag Club Substack subscribers are invited to join!

RSVP

First of all, let’s just get this out of the way: fuck ICE.

While this substack isn’t a source for political discourse and well-researched commentary, everything is inherently political and certain things need to be said.

In times like these, diversity in media is imperative. As a reminder, supporting smaller indie titles, substacks, etc., helps provide a platform for underrepresented/underserved perspectives and comprehensive deep dives that the traditional news cycle doesn’t prioritize. Not to mention, given their independence, they often lack the clear, capitalist driven incentives for journalistic bias.

Get your news often, and get your news varied.

Now on to a temporary distraction from the doom scroll.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

CLUB UPDATES:

• Blumenhaus Discussion: February

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

Blumenhaus x NYPL

One snowy day, a couple Mag Club members and librarians met to go over a wealth of botany-related publications and imagery. Per usual, our librarians did a top notch job of curating the collection in a thoughtful, material-diverse way.

• Field Mag, #1: A newer NYC-local publication with fantastic design and a truly new perspective to add to their niche: outdoors hobbies/living. As an ex-outdoorsy person (against my will), I appreciate the thoughtful storytelling, mixed with practical advice. And the photography inclusions? Incredible.

• Little White Lies, #110: Little White Lies is my personal favorite film magazine, but when the featured content is centered on a film you’re also very excited about? It’s just magic. For this issue they secured interviews with all the top level talent and dug into some of the nitty gritty. I’m here for all of it.

• Bomb, #173: There are a lot of art magazines out there, but it’s important to point out that Bomb has been around since the 80s. From this particular issue, you can tell the beauty of the magazine is in their artist-on-artist interviews. The pairings truly bring out the best conversation.

Read magazines? Have thoughts? Submit a review!

Send a reply back to this newsletter or dm @magclubnyc with your review and it might be included in the next newsletter with credit to you! Just make sure to include the placement on the matrix (Text heavy or image heavy? Shallow or deep?)

Consider the Tabloid

While print has been a little more ‘trendy’ as of late, much of its visibility is still isolated to major metropolitan areas. Yet, print is still alive across this *cough* great nation and namely so on the racks by grocery store check-outs, lining the queue at Michaels and dog-eared at your favorite salon. It’s unlikely that any of these spots are stocking my latest indie obsession, but they do have every tabloid title still in circulation.

Tabloids don’t carry much cultural cache. I still remember how shocked I was when one of my Journalism professors proudly admitted that her favorite outlet to work for was People. Here I was sweating for a degree with aspirations of McSweeney’s in my heart…and she just wanted to write for a gossip rag.

But who was I to judge? Doesn’t their longevity convey some kind of cultural significance? Sure it’s not the most high-brow, ‘shoot this into space so the aliens can find it’ contribution–and I won’t even get into their predatory reporting practices–but it’s 100+ years in existence does deserve some respect or, at least, acknowledgement.

Starting back with The New York Daily News in 1919, tabloids have become synonymous with sensationalist, hyper time-sensitive reporting that seems more concerned with making a buck than making a statement or even being factually accurate. From the celebrity dripping covers of US Weekly to the practically (and occasionally straight-up) fantastical The Weekly World News (RIP), they only made the promise to entertain.

And while there are a handful still circulating today, it’s easy to see social media as their most aggressive competitor. In terms of attention, entertainment and immediacy, there’s no greater battleground than the all holy algorithms. Countless accounts are dedicated slowly to spreading the latest gossip, celeb sightings and tantalizing allegations. Even one of my favorite accounts, Diet Prada, has its roots in the niche world of fashion commentary and related industry drama.

But things are changing. AI is here. Algorithms are perpetually cursed. What is real?

In a way, this has made me a bit nostalgic for the proper art of the tabloid. While I’m sure there are the outliers, I can’t imagine anyone reading a tabloid (especially if they just grab it in a waiting room, etc.) and taking it all at face value with no skeptisim. They are fluff not reportage, but they never fought that reputation. There was a sort-of honesty in their dishonesty that, at least personally, made it a quaint guilty pleasure escape. I mean even their paper stock is flimsy.

As the media landscape continues to rapidly evolve and media literacy continues to fracture, these sort-of natural or implied spheres of trust are getting messier and messier. Who are the reliable storytellers and publications, where do we go for a silly story just for fun? I’d much rather have a Sasquatch love story in print that you have to pay for, than an untrustworthy post about shit that matters forced into your daily scroll. At least the choice is in my hands and I don’t have to count fingers.

After long last, 2025 is coming to a close. It has been entirely too long of a year but time is a construct nonetheless. This newsletter will be a bit on the shorter side as I hope y’all are spending your remaining 2025 with cool people doing cool things. I myself am spending it with the coolest people I know: my three cats.

Anyway, I have some general updates below, some Blumenhaus background (for those of you keeping along with the season read) and some magazine resolutions for your consideration.

I’d also like to take some time to say thanks to you all for subscribing and supporting Mag Club (whether you’re a paid subscriber or not). This is something I do entirely* on my own and is self-funded. I’m not here to make money but more so to help spread the love of indie print, especially beyond the major cities. These are the publishers that are inspiring change, supporting creatives and challenging the very idea that ‘print is dead’. With your support, Mag Club will continue doing its small part to keep the industry alive for years to come.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

P.S. Don’t forget to use your member discount on your issue of Blumenhaus! (At the bottom of this newsletter.)

CLUB UPDATES:

• NYPL Library Trip: Saturday, January 17th [RSVP]

• Blumenhaus Discussion: February

• Mag Club Anniversary/Meet-up: March

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

Blumenhaus // An Introduction

“Blumenhaus was born out of a desire to create a collaborative project after years of working in graphic design, book publishing and illustration in Paris. Botany has always been a great passion for us, and the fusion with art, fashion and craftsmanship came naturally.”

Founded by Camille Gressier and Isabelle Laydier Kristensen out of Paris in 2020, Blumenhaus has become a print darling known for it’s detailed approach to design, custom illustrations and overall romanticism. It’s no wonder they have one of the best merch shops for a magazine as their aesthetic is so well developed it easily lends itself to brand collaborations and lifestyle goods in general. Smart thinking on their part.

It’s strangely difficult to find interviews or conversations with the founders, this being one of the few out there. But it sort of makes sense, given that both founders come from more behind-the-scenes roles where the work speaks for itself.

• Petite Mort, Gauche: This issue is quite the price jump from the past but it is wonderfully executed. Petit Mort is also my favorite modern erotic magazine I’ve come across. With actual sex workers among the contributors, their storytelling is earnest, a bit brash (in a good way) and insightful. While you may not come away with some hot sex tips, your mind will definitely have expanded for the better. [SHOP]

• Safar Journal, Protests: One of our first Mag Club reads, it’s been incredible to see Safar Journal grow over these few years. And the truly incredible thing? It hasn’t really changed all that much–besides going a bit smaller in physical size. This is the kind of magazine that is incredibly important and serving as a true archive to reference for years to come. [SHOP]

Magazine Resolutions + How to Keep Them

Most of these are for my personal use, but feel free to take any that work for you. All in all, it’s not that serious.

Read More Magazines

Swap the phone for a magazine during peak mind-rot hours: commuting on the train and before bed. Very rarely do I feel better after scrolling but I always do after even just 10 minutes with a good magazine in my hands.

Read Deeper

It is the firm belief of the Mag Club founder (i.e. me) that magazines have just as much material to dive into as any book. Take it back to AP English and next time you pick up a magazine, make sure to also grab a pen for annotations. Pro Tip: Look beyond the words themselves. The best editorial design is as visually inspired as it is practical.

Read Outside the Comfort Zone
Whether you choose to follow along with Mag Club’s season reads or opt to just swap a title among friends, there are too many magazines out there to stick purely for Apartamento (which isn’t what it used to be anyway). If you need help with some suggestions, don’t be shy about sending myself an email or DM. From science news to architecture, I’ve got opinions.

Read with a New Perspective

Many of us in the indie print fandom found our magazine roots with less ‘cool’ titles. There’s nothing I love more than revisiting a familiar magazine five, ten years down the line. It could be Vogue, Rolling Stone or even the recently relaunched I-D. Undoubtedly, editorial vibes have evolved and it’s a fascinating insight into what our society cares about and how they want their information.

Let Go

One of the hardest parts of being a magazine lover is knowing when to cull the collection. Something I’m personally going through now. The first choice is always to donate to a friend or stranger (via ‘Free Libraries’) but sometimes you have to make the hard choice of what goes in the bin. If you haven’t revisited it or no longer connect with it, there’s no shame in setting it free. Still keeping it for that one specific article? I won’t judge you for cutting a few pages out.

Read more

This month has been busy. I co-hosted a pop-up with my friend who runs Songs and Snacks (thanks for coming by if you did), met to discuss The Paris Review (more on that later), and had my own personal adventure up in Hudson for a few days (Casa Susanna is worthy of the hype).

Now the year is winding down to a close. One more newsletter after this, and we’re heading into 2026 which is just wild. In fact, next year Mag Club will technically be celebrating its seventh anniversary?? That’s counting from the days when it was literally just a post-work hangout with some very legit coworkers.

Anyway, we have a new club pick for the winter season: Blumenhaus. It’s a decadent experience in design and botanicals, and sure to bring a bit of color to your winter. As a reminder, those who have the ‘Auto-send Magazines’ or ‘Founding’ substack subscription–I’ll be sending out your magazines the first week of December. For other paying subscribers, scroll on to the bottom to access your 30% discount off your copy.

Happy Reading & Warm Wishes,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

CLUB UPDATES:

• NYPL Library Trip: January

• Blumenhaus Discussion: February

• Mag Club Anniversary/Meet-up: March

This section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

THE PARIS REVIEW // Close Up Shop

While it was an intimate discussion, shout out to longtime member Thea, the club did in fact meet to discuss and close out The Paris Review. We both had personal preferences piece-by-piece but loved the overall curation and mix of content. From the bit of a weird start of the initial piece (loved by myself) to the painfully realistic depiction of mother, daughter relationships, the stories moved at a steady clip.

Personally, I could struggle at times with the longform interviews but that was largely impacted by the nature of the interview and subject themselves…which can be said for all interviews (although I do think Paris Review interviews are particularly indulgent in length).

If you enjoyed, we’ll be carrying all subsequent issues on the Mag Club website but obviously, you can also give TPR some love by subscribing.

TLDR: Mag Club says, “Would Read Again”

• BYOB Episode 1.2: Similar in spirit to Noble Rot, yet I found myself reading this one faster? While there are still some pretty nitty gritty pieces on wine itself that I personally skip over, but the subsequent stories felt more casual and grounded than some in Noble Rot. Would grab this if I saw it again.

• Semaine, Sky High Farms: Fun Fact, ordering from distributors is always a grab bag. So while this gorgeous calendar is soon-to-be entirely out of date, the zine is timeless. Interesting insight into the Sky High Farms project and beautifully produced. Semaine itself, is a fascinating project worth exploring.

• Never Too Small #4: The design itself feels very Apartamento-esque but with a little more playful/experimental. Content-wise, it also digs into a little of the how/why and design beyond general inspiration. I found it a fun and even useful read, and appreciated the deep dives into different chapters of interior design.

• The Paris Review #251: As I continue to read different issues of The Paris Review, I truly find the most enjoyment out of the short stories (particularly fiction), but overall, the design and portability of the magazine cannot be understated. Love a book-ish vibe for a literary magazine.

Magazines (+ More) Worth Gifting

Consider this a light gift guide. Just another drop in the content ocean. May this inspire you for some gifts but also remind you that sometimes the printed word is an inspired gift in and of itself—and what’s a more worthy cause for your money?

Magazines

• Blumenhaus

• Cabana

• McSweeney’s

• Victory Journal

• Marfa Journal

• Purple

• A Magazine

Magazine Racks

• Metal Magazine Rack

• Green Magazine Rack

• Wood Magazine Rack

Books About Magazines

• Print is Dead. Long Live Print.

• The Art of Playboy

• magCulture: New Magazine Design

• Editorial Design

• Turning Pages: Editorial Design for Print Media

Read more

Sending through a full proper post about this weekend’s event! This is a partnered pop-up with my friend and fellow Substack-er (???) Songs & Snacks, and we have a whole cafe space booked out just for y’all. If you attended the last Magazine Swap, this will be the same but with more.

This whole event is loosely inspired by the delicate art of holiday hosting, which I imagine a few of you will be partaking in. It will tap into all your senses and we hope to leave you inspired, less stressed and grounded in what makes hosting true magic: the company.

Event Info

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Magazine Swap: Bring 1 or 2 magazines you’re ready to part with and join the swap! We ask that you only take the same number magazines with you that you brought with you. For those that don’t have magazines to spare, there’ll be some ‘donated’ ones available.

Magazine Shop: Select titles, including some brand new ones, will be available for sale along with some discounted mystery magazines for the brave.

Homemade Treats: Songs & Snack will be selling some top tier, original recipe bites, each with their own perfect musical pairing.

Complimentary Drinks: Wine, non-alc options, and coffee will be available while supplies last.

Hosting Advice Wall: Share you best tips & tricks with visitors of the pop-up.

Event Info

I read magazines this month!! Isn’t it wild that when you try…you might just do it? Wow.

In other news, very excited to share the news that I’m co-hosting a pop-up with Songs and Snacks on November 8th in the Lower East Side. It’ll be part cafe with tasty treats and part Mag Swap. What more could you want. I’ll be sending through a proper event email shortly.

There’s also a date set for our Paris Review discussion, if you’d like to join for that!

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

CLUB UPDATES:

• Mag Swap + Pop-up // Saturday, November 8th

• The Paris Review Discussion // Thursday, November 13th @La Compagnie (in Soho) - If attending, please respond to this email since I’ll be making a resy.

A new addition to the newsletter, but this section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

THE PARIS REVIEW // A Brief History of The Paris Review

• [1953] Founded by Harold L. Humes, Peter Matthiessen, & George Plimpton in Paris.

• [1958] First collection of interviews, Writers at Work, is published.

• [1964] The Paris Review is the only bookstall at the World’s Fair and they start producing their Print Series.

• [1969] The Paris Review starts its own imprint in partnership with DoubleDay.

• [1993] The Paris Review celebrates 40 years.

• [1995] The Paris Review goes online.

• [2003] Founding Editor George Plimpton passes away shortly after overseeing the 50th issue.

• [2005] After a brief stint by Brigid Hughes, Philip Gourevitch becomes editor.

• [2010] Lorin Stein took over as editor and led a redesign of the website & magazine–he would resign due to sexual assault accusations.

• [2015] As an April Fool’s prank, they launched a version of The Paris Review for Young Readers–many were disappointed to learn the truth.

• [2021] Emily Stokes takes over as EIC and Na Kim joins as art director, they both led the redesign we see today.

Buy the Magazine

• McSweeney’s #79: Big fan of the cover treatment, just have to say it. But as per usual, they have a great mix of content that’s a mix of relevant but also escapist. The featured comic is certainly memorable.

• Metrograph #2: After hearing the editorial team speak at Mag Culture, I was excited to get my hands on a copy. Beautifully designed with a subtle vintage style. Admittedly, this is a very geeky magazine, so I’d recommend it more for the deeply committed cinephile.

• The Filler, Kitchen: More spiral-bound magazines please! This was an effortless read filled with personality. Each piece truly brings something different and novel to the conversation.

• Weird Walk, Magic Circle: Technically a zine but I’ve been wanting to read something from Weird Walk for a minute. Not a ton of actual content but the design is dreamy and fitting for the topic (Stone Henge).

Everyone Gathers in the Kitchen

As I continue to build out the magazine shop, especially when looking for titles to carry on the regular, I strive to create a balance of topics. Erotic, literature journals, sports, music, etc. The more I dig in and scour distributor lists, the more I realize that no other topic has seen such a revival as the culinary magazine.

Whether they choose to lean in towards the hospitality/restaurant side of things or more homegrown, people have much to say and print about food–particularly how food ~brings us together~. Some titles that are top of mind:

• Cake Zine

• Off Menu

• Synonym

• Swill

• Serviette

• Full

• Filler

Many of these have more of a zine-like quality and feel more like the first foray into starting a print magazine versus a studied, well-funded glossy. That is to say, in my mind, they feel more earnest, a bit uneven content-wise, and clearly made by those most passionate (not necessarily a well-honed editorial team). This is complete conjecture and my biased opinion of course.

But with that sense, that these are more recent additions to the indie magazine scene, one has to wonder (a la Carrie Bradshaw), why now? Why are so many of us feeling drawn into the kitchen for an escape? Some to the point where they are willing to invest thousands of dollars to produce a magazine with minimal return?

We’re in the midst of a second wave of the Indie Magazine Renaissance. The last time I remember this surge was the early aughts where we saw now mainstay titles begin: The Gentlewoman (2010), Kinfolk (2011), Apartamento (2008), Cereal (2012), Little White Lies (2005), etc.. They presented lives unlike the readers, whether of glamour or those who followed more artistic pursuits; they gave permission to truly disconnect from reality, if just for a page or five.

Both of these Indie Magazine waves are occurring around tumultuous times (at least through the U.S. lens), when people crave distraction, a reason to selfishly pull oneself away into a private moment for no clear direct benefit. While the magazines of the early-mid aughts tapped into a more aspirational escape–one that I can’t personally feel was relatable for the masses, these culinary magazines of late do quite the opposite.

Nothing is more grounded than the humble kitchen, nothing more personable than a recipe you can make yourself. Food, eating and making it, is truly one of the rare human experiences that’s common across cultures. Even I, who grew up on canned stew and still love a good goulash (9/10 times that’s what I’m making for dinner), can still connect with stories of cooking in the kitchen, hosting friends, and the memories that are baked into any certain smell or taste. It’s sensual. It’s grounded. It’s in your pantry.

As ~the world~, or at least the country I live in, feels more chaotic, emotionally trying, and unpredictable, it’s no surprise that this grounded approach to magazines and zines has taken purchase. Safety, comfort, and certainty are not in the worlds and lives unreachable, they’re in the kinds of restaurants where you’re a regular and the kitchen you own. Comfort is found in making our worlds smaller. Comfort is bringing the pleasure from page to reality.

But then again, maybe I’m just full of shit.

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You may notice that this issue of the newsletter is sans magazine reviews. I have many excuses in a variety of flavors but the true answer is that I just haven’t prioritized reading magazines as of late.

But in October, I’m challenging myself to read a new magazine every week (at least enough to form an opinion) and will be starting with my beloved McSweeney’s followed by Metrograph (very excited for this one). So stay tuned for the following two and all four reviews in the next.

In the meantime, feel free to shame me out loud or have an Etsy witch curse me.

Happy Reading,

Jasmine, Founder of Mag Club

CLUB UPDATES:

• Mag Swap // Coming Soon in November!

A new addition to the newsletter, but this section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

THE PARIS REVIEW

Something to consider: What makes a good literary magazine and how do you judge it? Free from themes and recurring columnist and the like, it seems the importance lies more in what pieces are selected and how they sit together. After all, many of these pieces are not incredibly time sensitive, so why here and why now?

As you read, mull this over in your mind. Even if a piece doesn’t personally resonate to you as a person, how does it contribute to the larger experience? Did it make it richer, stir up your brain or just annoy you?

Buy the Magazine

Magazine Merch That Isn’t Just A Bunch of Tote Bags

Have we arrived at peak tote bag? Granted not at all tote bags are equal (love a structured option a la LL Bean—who doesn’t?) but when it comes to the ‘give-away’ or merchandise specific tote..the limit does exist.

Yet, how then do we support our magazines when our to-be-read stack looms too tall? Below is just a taste of magazine merchandise of the non-canvas variety, and whether they’re purely functional or not at all, there’s something for everyone (and nearly every magazine).

[From left to right.]

A poster from Solo. This exact one is sold out but they have some goodies in general (even a portable cup)! [SHOP]

Yarn from a Laine x Novita collab made with 70% Falkland Wool. They also have some top notch knitting patterns. [SHOP]

The Mini Magazine from The Gentlewoman is also, disappointingly sold out, but as a magazine they have some of the best, most high quality merch out there. [SHOP]

[From left to right.]

Sticker sheets from Marfa Journal are the ulitimate nostalgic way to show off how cultured you are. They also have some great t-shirts. [SHOP]

Choose from five different ‘Wine Buddy’ wine stoppers sold by Apartamento as a collab with Klas Ernflo. How can you not be charmed? [SHOP]

A journal in peak Monocle color. Their merch shop is stocked with high quality stationery goodies. [SHOP]

[From left to right.]

A print from Racquet that’s ideal for any artsy tennis lover. They also have a really great tote bag…but I resisted including it. [SHOP]

Mugs from Interview. Simple, bold, and functional! [SHOP]

A ‘Secret Garden’ candle from Blumenhaus. Honestly, their merch shop is, quite possibly, the best and most giftable (even for folks who don’t read the magazine). [SHOP]

Author Cards from McSweeney’s Quarterly. Leave it to McSweeney’s to make literature cheeky and fun! Collect them all! [SHOP]

SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE MAGAZINE <3

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Run into issues? Just reply to this email and I’ll help sort it out.

REMINDER: …

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I’ll keep this little letter short and sweet because I rambled quite a bit below–apologies.

August ultimately means the demise of summer and as a winter-enthusiast, I’m beyond ready to stop sweating and start building a nest of blankets and finally make a dent in my ‘to read’ pile.

You may have noticed a little tease on social, but we have some new titles added to the shop–and good news! You’ll be able to shop Mag Club for the latest issues of Pin-up, Apartamento, The Paris Review (our Fall 2025 Club Read!) and McSweeney’s moving forward. I also got my hands on a few copies of Petit Mort’s (a personal favorite) Gauche issue which is truly a sight to behold and a hefty one at that.

Are there other titles that should be added to the regular roster? Would love to hear your thoughts! In the meantime…

Happy reading,

Jasmine, Mag Club Founder

CLUB UPDATES:

• Byline Discussion // Wednesday Sept. 10th [RSVP]

• Case Sensitive // Sept 13th (New Industry Event!)

• Mag Swap // Coming Soon

• Standart #39 | If you really, like really love coffee, you’ll probably be obsessed with this nerdy coffee magazine. From sourcing to technique to equipment, they do not shy away from the nitty gritty, but still strive to keep their language approachable and inviting to all. [Buy it]

• Byline, Risk Issue | Living in NYC, this magazine feels like a true representation of the city. The design reminds me of being stuffed on a subway listening to three people’s tiktoks at high volume, but the stories are varied and well told. A good mix of fiction and interviews, it may inspire you to talk to more strangers to see what stories they may have. [Buy it]

A new addition to the newsletter, but this section will be dedicated to musings, questions, observations of the season’s latest club read. Here to keep your brain juicy and yourself accountable (if you opt to participate).

We’re wrapping up Byline, and while I’ll save most of my thoughts for the in-person discussion, I wanted to share some questions to help get y’all thinking and ready to chat.

• How has the editorial design (varying column widths, minimal gutters, playful type, etc.) affected your reading experience? Was there ever a point where you felt that the design compromised the content?

• How did the magazine lean into the theme of ‘risk’, both literally and more metaphorically?

• Byline has a wide net of contributors for this issue, how do you think they approached what pieces to include? Did the stories & pieces selected compliment or compete with each other?

• Is it just me or did you want at least a few pages to be flipped along with the cover?

Disposable Luxury?

Recently I completed a side quest that was the Brooklyn Public Library’s Power Up Small Business Competition (Libraries are great!), and it really forced me to think about Mag Club through a more varied and fractured lens. And while not novel to me, I was forced to once again reckon with the fact that magazines are a luxury purchase. Or at least a non-necessity one.

Times are wild and a magazine will not feed you and can only keep you warm for a fleeting moment in its destruction. Indie Magazines also tend to be more expensive than their more commercial counterparts or a newspaper (which I’ve discussed before and will happily debate while tipsy on any barstool), with some, even one I recently brought into the shop, tipping the scales at $65 an issue.

While I absolutely am obsessed with this magazine, what it stands for and am proud to support them by stocking them, it’s not lost on me that i could use that money to pay for half my Lyft to the airport tomorrow (I mean, NYC amIright?).

Those that do break out of the $15-$25 range often have clear reasons for doing so, whether it’s the amount of content, the quality of production, or a limited amount of issues to even sell (Rubbish Famzine)--but magazines come with an inherent sense of disposability for most folks given that there’s always a new issue ready to drop.

So while spending $65 on an art book may be easier to rationalize, I feel there’s still a way to go for magazines to be weighed on the same scale. To be perceived to be just as collectible and worthy of holding on to.

But there are those pricey magazines that truly blur the lines, often enhanced by more limited publication cycles. Rubbish Famzine as mentioned earlier runs at around $180, but is published annually and created as a true family project out of Singapore. Each issue is frankly unmatched in its design and composition and over the decade+ they’ve established themselves as one of the most sought after indie magazines in the industry–even at the high cost.

And even better, there are those challenging the norms of magazine publishing at a more affordable price point, like McSweeney’s. While not every issue is a box with a man’s face or a collection of ‘junk mail’, even their latest issue would be difficult for anyone to part with given its beautiful custom designed embroidered hard cover. And, it’s only $30.

Once again, this has become a bit of a tangent, but boils down to reconciling the fact that magazines are inherently a luxury yet not. They straddle both worlds, with each magazine having to establish its own place on the spectrum and prove they’re worth the cost.

This has inspired creativity but also the demise of many promising titles. I hope that this most recent resurgence of print obsession helps spread awareness that some titles may be expensive, but don’t they deserve a spot on your bookshelf too?

Help me make room for more magazines <3 From today through the 15th, you’ll get 30% off your entire order at the Mag Club Store.

Discount Code: MOREMAGSPLS

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“...[T]he thought of feeding a loved one words that …bring my brain to a level of arousal that is similar to an orgasm makes me giddy. Perhaps the act of reading a similar book or text while not physically together has a similar effect on such intimacy and closeness.” – Delany Boutkan, Extra Extra #23

Hope this hot a*s summer is treating you well and your electric bill is only mildly more expensive. Can’t say the same for myself but c’est la vie.

In the summer, I do tend to read more books than magazines (and it feels like cheating each and every time), but I did make time to read Extra Extra (link to product) from which I pulled the quote above.

Now I wouldn’t say I personally experience a lot of literary orgasms but there is something to that sentiment–after all, I started this whole club so people could read the same magazines I do. And, unbeknownst to me, was my motivation to create more intimate relationships? Probably.

Personally, there’s little that’s as satisfying as being able to really get into the nitty gritty of a magazine with someone who’s as deeply invested as I. Not only am I able to share the poignant bits clinging to my noggin but I’m also challenged by the interpretations & experiences of others. It’s the stretch & pull of it all, and this substack and Mag Club as a whole is evidence that I, and Delany aren’t alone.

Read on for some club updates and how to level up your friend’s magazine habits (because yours are already perfect). Until I see you in August…

Happy reading,

Jasmine, Mag Club Founder

CLUB UPDATES:

• Byline Discussion // Wednesday Sept. 10th

• Member ‘Stoop Sale’ // 8/1-8/15

  • From 8/1-8/15 all paying club members get 30% off their entire purchase.

  • From 8/7-8/15 all club members get 30% off their entire purchase.

• Synonym, Rice & Beans | At $37 this counts as an expensive magazine. But, there’s spiral binding and a surprising amount of recipes (so consider it a creative cook book of sorts). This is a food magazine through the lens of diaspora and the understated impact of immigrants on an area’s cuisine. [Buy it.--especially b/c it’s only $25 here (Iconic Magazines…I see you)]

• Extra Extra #23 | Another ‘erotic’ magazine–I can’t help myself. This one is definitely more of a highbrow/academic approach to pleasure, etc. The design is understated but executed well but definitely for those that like their sex with an equal amount of critical analysis. [Buy it.]

• Byline, Risk Issue | TBD.

INDIE MAGAZINES 101: Beginner Friendly Magazine Swaps

I’ve been deeply immersed in the indie magazine world since 2013, so it’s hard for me to remember my time B.M.Q. (Before McSweeney’s Quarterly), but I never forgot the learning curve. Unlike mainstream media that cross-references itself across the cultural zeitgeist, indie print barely even whispers for your attention. Without direct referrals, I myself had to do a lot of experimentation, and trial-and-error to determine what high cover prices I was willing to pay for. You, as you’re here, have done the work, but I’m here to help you convert your friends.

Below are some classic introductory pairings that can convert anyone* to look beyond the obvious.

BON APPETIT > SWILL

What’s the same?

• Food Inspiration

• Restaurant Recommendations

• Behind-the-hospitality-scenes

What’s different?

Swill comes from an actual working hospitality group and I find their content aligns more to the people actually working in the industry vs. what can give them a good affiliate rate.

• Longer format pieces

• Lesser known restaurants

• Timeless & elevated design (peak coffee table vibes)

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST > PIN-UP

What’s the same?

• Furniture & Architecture Design Trends

• Industry Leaders

• Enviable Interior Showcases

What’s different?

By architects for architects (you may notice a trend), Pin-up has been around since 2006. Knowing their audience aren’t complete strangers to the industry, they push their design and content far beyond the obvious.

• ‘Cutting Edge**’ POV

• Less consumer coverage (listicles, etc.)

• BOLD design (we love a die cut)

YOUR FRIEND’S SHORT STORY SUBSTACK > MCSWEENEY’S QUARTERLY

• Passion Projects

• Wistful Musings

• Mix bag of talent & styles

What’s different?

Having never read your friend’s short story Substack, I can only assume that McSweeney’s offers even more stories, essays, etc. to read. Oh and they have some pretty conceptual design choices.

• Themed Editions (from genres like horror to exclusively queer-authored pieces)

• ICONIC Design (don’t fight me)

• Expert Editorial Team (that are very kind and encouraging from personal experience)

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED > VICTORY JOURNAL

• Sports!

• Athlete Profiles

• Unabashed fandoms

What’s different?

Aside from a much beefier cover price, Victory Journal approaches sports through a larger cultural lens. They’ll be more experimental with their editorial approach and I can’t imagine readers being quick to throw away.

• Unconventional sports coverage

• Grounded in humanity of competition

• Deeeeeeep dives

VICE > i-D

• Provocative POV

• Loves a Scene-y Underbelly

• Photography & video that could be included in a museum exhibition in 15 years

What’s different?

Would you believe Vice once owned i-D? Yet with their current re-launch (thank you Karli Kloss) i-D is going all the way back to their roots of subversive content and unbeatable street style inspiration.

• Print editions They’re officially coming back to print.

• Less algorithm-y content

• i-D doesn’t seem to hate itself

NEWSWEEK > BROADCAST

• Newsworthy Topics

• Bigger Trend Stories

• Informed Reporting

What’s different?

Not that I’ve read Newsweek recently, but I’d hope all the above remains true. Nevertheless, Broadcast presents expertly researched and thoughtful commentary on larger news trends and culture.

• Academic Lean

• Underrepresented perspectives on mainstream topics

• Matte paper and risograph printing (is there anything better–except newsprint?)

*Not literally. Who am I? Just a girl.

** This term means nothing but I couldn’t think of a better way to say it.

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