I am looking to broaden my reading and would be interested in suggestions.
I have economics and politics/philosophy training and worked in finance but culture important too.
I am a leftie but don’t like echo chambers so happy to have conventional lefty views challenged.
I am an Aussie with a strong interest in Africa as well as Europe and America so not something culturally specific to Britain, Europe ,USA.
I like quality writing with long form pieces.
Ones that came to mind without having explored them are Spectator, Atlantic, New York Times.
thanks
Twang says
I subscribe to The Times and New Statesman. I did subscribe to The Spectator but they have some writers who are beyond challenging and into utter dickhead so I gave up on it, though I like their core team and podcast. I buy the paper Observer on sunday but the daily Graun is too irritating.
I heard someone bigging up The Week as being good but I haven’t read it so can’t be sure. I do really like the digital editions on the tablet though. I never thought I’d say it but I do.
You never find a perfect journal so a mix is good.
slotbadger says
That’s nice to hear! I was on the Speccie’s podcast production team last year. Didn’t last long, there are some very odd people at that place.
Twang says
Been a listener for years. Not the fragrant Cindy surely?
slotbadger says
I can’t say Cindy and I especially bonded, but we had a reasonably friendly working relationship.
Fraser was like a giddy schoolboy around her, which was somewhat creepy at times.
Twang says
Shame we don’t mingle any more. I’d like to get the goss on this. 🙂
I sometimes watch Spectator TV and we remark how mad they all look. Not dissing their insights which are often interesting but they’re a rum bunch.
nickduvet says
For geopolitics, economics and finance, the FT has a wealth of coverage. It’s culture – esp Weekend FT – is exceptional too. It’s about $40 a month for you, Junior. But worth it.
Junior Wells says
Better than the economist ? I hear the FT has some dodgey stringers!
nickduvet says
Not sure who you’re referring to, but I’d say you get a broader – and more timely – coverage in the FT. Unlike other papers (I also read or have subscribed at various times to the Guardian, NYT, WaPo, AFR and Newsroom here in NZ) I haven’t found the FT has any writers or columnist that offend me.
duco01 says
I subscribe to the FT Weekend alone – i.e. just the Saturday edition of the paper.
The physical copy of the paper (normally) arrives in my letterbox the next day (i.e. the Sunday morning).
It’s really good.
David Kendal says
They’ve launched an App which gives you 8 stories, which they’ve selected, every day. Currently it’s free, and I think they said if it’s successful, they’ll start charging 99p a month for it. It tends to be the current affairs stories, more than the financial stuff, although some are both. I like it as they have some good writers and coverage – Stephen Bush recently moved there from the New Statesman, and he is probably the best political reporter in the country.
It’s called FT Edit.
Junior Wells says
That looks interesting. Cheers DK
fortuneight says
Another vote for the FT here. Had a sub for about 2 years now and it’s coverage has been balanced and always worth a read.
Junior Wells says
It was a joke – I thought you contributed.
Have just taken up the 1 month trial- thanks.
nickduvet says
Oh, haha. I did work there many years ago, in the days when the FT had many more writers covering specific industries. Their coverage of industrial relations – and the miners’ strike in particular – was unbeatable at the time.
Baron Harkonnen says
The Financial Times coverage of the Miner’s Strike was atrocious, just another mouthpiece for Thatchers extreme right wing deceit. The same goes for almost every national newspaper of the time. Only the Guardian, although not supportive of the strike attempted to report the truth. For example the Mail, Mirror, Times amongst others reported daily the number of Miners returning to work. We used to keep a running total until the subject became laughable. Just going on the F.T.’s figures the average number of Miners who returned to work by the beginning of December 1984 (we’d been on strike since March 1984) was 315,000+. The thing that’s wrong with that figure is there were less than 190,000 Miners working/striking in the U.K.
I was a striking Miner for the full duration of the 1984-1985 Strike.
mikethep says
You’ll always be striking to me.
Jaygee says
You two sound like you’re a perfect match
SteveT says
Should go on first dates.
nickduvet says
I have no issue with your view of the paper’s coverage, Baron. They may have got some numbers wrong, I don’t know. But to characterise it as just another mouthpiece for Thatcher’s extreme right wing deceit, is at odds with the fact that John Lloyd, the FT’s industrial and labour reporter at that time, was a member of the Communist Party and a Labour supporter.
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
Have to say that my memory and experience of the FTs industrial relations coverage in the early mid 80s chimes with your own. Some of us in the CPSA union ( then heavily influenced and periodically essentially run by Militant Tendency) regularly read the Industrial relations section precisely because it reported what had happened and/likely outcomes in terms of economics and the bottom line, rather than being bogged down in ideology. I daresay the editorials might have taken a more strident line, but that’s a different issue.
Baron Harkonnen says
It is not a different issue as I was referring to the coverage ‘as a whole’.
Baron Harkonnen says
The fact is that John Lloyd sold his soul working for the FT. The numbers of returning Miners is just one example of inaccurate/intentional reporting by that rag and it’s ilk. I didn’t expect the FT and other right-wing rags to be supportive, however the lies and propaganda they spouted was indefensible not unlike the B.S. coming out of the Kremlin these days. Like I said the Guardian although unsupportive at least told the truth. The FT did not on several occasions every week for 12 months. “Their coverage of industrial relations – and the miners’ strike in particular – was unbeatable at the time” my arse. Although if you are probably talking from a Thatcher perspective………
mikethep says
Closer to home, I’m a big fan of the Saturday paper, which you will know all about. No fun if you’re a SchMo fan, but I’m guessing you’re not.
Junior Wells says
Good guess
Pessoa says
Sight and Sound is obviously a cinema magazine, not current affairs, but it has consistently interesting and intelligent long-form pieces on many aspects of international film and TV culture. It may be my favourite publication these days, even though I am hardly a film buff.
salwarpe says
I like The Atlantic, it does good long form articles. You didn’t mention the Economist, which, I heard once, snatches up fresh graduates for a lively input of the latest academic ideas. I don’t read it much now, but Le Monde Diplomatique does a good English language version (https://mondediplo.com/).
Through Feedly.com I subscribe to free versions of many news sources, of which some highlights are Nature, Science, The Edge, Unherd, Upworthy, Medium, Grist, Open Democracy, Byline Times, Naked Capitalism.
There are a lot of interesting news sources out there! Hope you find something you like.
Junior Wells says
@salwarpe I didnt mention the Economist but its a candidate too. Maybe not enough non economics.
fortuneight says
The Economist is worth a look. It’s not really that finance / economics focused and other than the FT, its one of the few remining places that you can see straightforward, no agenda journalism.
paulwright says
There has always been an agenda at the Economist- money. Which is fine, because you know where they are coming from.
Under Zanny Beddoes as editor there has been an increase In What I feel are far right think pieces, but they are still the exception.
I’ve subscribed for 20 odd years, and it is only recently that pieces have made me reconsider that.
Chrisf says
I subscribe to The Times directly and then have a Readly subscription that covers everything else magazine wise and some newspapers (I read the Guardian and Observer on there). I don’t think they have New York Times but they do have Crochet Monthly.
Jaygee says
Another vote for the Thunderer. The online version is pretty good value, too, costing less for a month than one issue of the dead tree version of Sunset Times used to cost me in HK
fortuneight says
I had a Times sub but got tired of the endless anti BBC pieces and promotion of their own radio station. Whilst the news reporting wasn’t bad, the opinion pieces badly lacked balance – I was briefly optimistic when they appointed Matthew Syed, but he and Matthew Parris aren’t enough to offset turds like Rod Liddle. or the endlessly smug Camilla Long. It’s just a shame the Guardian provides so little of an alternative.
Junior Wells says
This Readly thing seems interesting. Cheers.
mikethep says
Really is brilliant – I’ve often banged on about it before. It has the Indy (proper newspaper version, not online clickbait) as well as Grauniad and Observer. Also The Week, Guardian Weekly, Wisden Cricket Monthly, more plane, guitar and Mac mags than you can shake a stick at, Uncut, Mojo, The Oldie, Viz, Country Life for castles and posh totty, and more. Plus 20 crochet mags, not just the one. Not much Oz content, although Australian Wood Magazine stands out, so to speak. All for £7.99 a month. The economics of it all are a mystery, though the editor of a mag that’s on there told me he gets paid according to dwell time – so Country Life isn’t making much out of me.
It’s better on a tablet than a phone, obvs.
Junior Wells says
Thanks Mike
Moose the Mooche says
Australian Wood Magazine? Must we fling this filth at our pop cobbers?
Diddley Farquar says
Fine, long form items.
fitterstoke says
Isn’t it good?
nickduvet says
Another Readly subscriber, after the tip off here. Thanks chaps.
Mousey says
Both Mrs M and me are avid newspaper readers so we get the SMH and Saturday Paper print editions delivered. Also The Monthly, published by Schwarz Media who publish the Sat paper. It’s excellent and has long form articles that are well written and researched eg the latest edition has a very fair and balanced piece about the independents currently contesting the election.
Mrs M also gets the London Review of Books and the New York Times Book Review. Even though they’re basically chock full of book reviews they’ll often review say 3 books on a particular subject, with very detailed and superbly researched background info.
My parents, in their right-wing dotage (they were always rusted on Labor voters in my childhood) subscribed to The Spectator, which I quite liked, even for the non-leftie POV – as you say, we need a bit of variety. However the editor of the Aussie edition of The Spectator, Rowan Dean, is an absolute right wing loony and I haven’t ventured in to that edition.
Junior Wells says
I used to subscribe yo the Oz but cracked it last election. Still has probably best serious writing but I buy the paper so they at least cant rely on the cashflow of a subscription.
mikethep says
I love the LRB – and often find myself reading long reviews of books on subjects I have only the vaguest interest in and being absolutely fascinated.
fitterstoke says
Maybe this? Apologies if already mentioned and I missed it.
https://theconversation.com/au
Junior Wells says
Yep thanks Fitters, across all the Aussie stuff.
fitterstoke says
I should have guessed! I was sent a link by a friend in Aussieland when we were exchanging emails about the flooding. I was impressed, I’ve been meaning to sign up for the global edition.
fitterstoke says
Out of interest @Junior-Wells – what do you make of The Conversation? The academic input gives the long form pieces a different feel. I’ve started taking the daily emailed newsletters to get a sense of it, but it seems pretty good so far.
dai says
The Guardian (you don’t need to subscribe)
Junior Wells says
There’s an oz edition- you can also access uk version. I am a subscriber.
Jaygee says
Bit rubbish now though a sort of anti-matter Daily Fail
Still flick through the online edition each day, did used to buy the Sat/weekend edition but one Sat I missed out and never went back
They did once run a half page obit I wrote in Other Lives so they can’t be all bad
Moose the Mooche says
The Graun seems to have slipped into self-parody in recent years. “Why loving your children is causing climate change”
“Question nobody has asked? No way..”
Twang says
It jumped the shark for me with “Should we ban the word cycling”. Some claptrap to do with MEN using it which stops women riding a bike or something followed.
mikethep says
That battle was lost when they invented crossbars.
Barry Blue says
Another vote for LRB. There’s almost parallels with the NME in the early 80s (in a good way), ie you won’t read the books/listen to the din, but reading about and around it is enlightening.
Moose the Mooche says
What, they have Clare Grogan on the cover of the London Review of Books?
Diddley Farquar says
Ex-NME Barthes referencing Ian Penman contributes to LRB. My impression is that his current stuff is very good, though he was a bit tiresome back in the day. There’s a link right there.
Moose the Mooche says
Recovering addict. It’s done wonders for his work which I agree was once insufferable.
Guiri says
Is it the New Yorker that D Hepworth occasionally talks about. Long form journalism and all. Never taken a look but be interested to hear opinions. Who it’s owned by is probably key…
Moose the Mooche says
It’s fantastic. There’s my opinion.
Moose the Mooche says
I’m referring specifically to the politics commentary. Proper qualidee.
SteveT says
During lockdown I started subscribing to The Idler. A quality magazine devoted to doing nothing. There are some excellent contributors and a diverse range of subjects.
It is a great precursor to my anticipated life of indolence in 2 years time.
pawsforthought says
The Idler is also on Readily. I do buy it when I see it in real life (but that’s not too often).
Tiggerlion says
If you have a general science bent, try Nature. Yes, it’s academic, but multidisciplinary and its opinion pieces are never less than interesting and thought-provoking.
fitterstoke says
Or New Scientist? No original research but good background reading.
Beezer says
The New Yorker. Excellent book and movie reviews. As well as weekly listings for all the trendy arts happenings in Manhattan. It’ is a thousand worlds away from my life.
The Economist. Reliably matter of fact articles written in clear prose. When I joined the Civil Service The Economist was held up as a must read, a font of international knowledge and shining examples of plain English.
GQ. Sometimes it reviews watches I’ll never be able to afford. But it’s great fun to look at the multi page advert spreads from the likes of Hermes, Gucci and the like. Some of the most ridiculous breeks ever created. Worn by skinny serious lads who would be far happier in Sports Direct by the look of them.
fitterstoke says
Mmmmm…watches…
Beezer says
There’s a thread about them.
fitterstoke says
I recall…
mikethep says
Stuff and T3 (on Readly) also review (or more accurately puff) expensive watches in the £2-3k range. Really annoying.
fitterstoke says
Never mind the watch puff pieces – Stuff and T3 are really annoying anyway.
mikethep says
Absolutely. But y’know, Really… I often wonder if they have special meetings to thrash all the headline puns.
Vulpes Vulpes says
New Statesman for me. Terrific arts stuff, good long-form pieces. Some good sports writing if you want that sort of thing. Kate Mossman shows up regularly, as does her from EBTG; both brilliant. Too many great contributors to mention actually – none bad in my opinion. And there’s a lot of input from John Gray, always worth the eyeball time, even if he sometimes seems to have gone completely potty. Actually, those are some of the times I like him best; it’s very fulfilling and empowering to realise that you think a famous political philosopher is capable of occasional outbursts of utter tosh.
johnw says
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Smithsonian magazine. A wide range of long eclectic articles. Very US centric but covers subjects you never knew you were interested in. Its free from my library and possibly yours too.
Jacob S Cracker says
Try Prospect – a ‘progressive’ magazine, commenting on politics, culture, economics etc. I guess it’s fairly safe territory for a Grauniad reader like me but there is plenty to inform and challenge. Also, try New Internationalist for on the spot reporting from 3rd world hotspots.
Jacob S Cracker says
Try Prospect – a ‘progressive’ magazine, commenting on politics, culture, economics etc. I guess it’s fairly safe territory for a Grauniad reader like me but there is plenty to inform and challenge. (alo worth noting that ex Graun. editor Alan Rusbridger has taken over the reigns). Also, try New Internationalist for on the spot reporting from 3rd world hotspots.
Mousey says
Then of course there is this…
https://thechap.co.uk/
Boneshaker says
No one calls anyone ‘chap’ these days apart from gentlemen of the constabulary on those interminable reality cop shows on Channel 5. “Come and take a seat in the back of my car, chap, so we can pixelate your face”…..”I’m arresting you, chap, for the murder of…..” etc etc.
Good to see ‘chap’ being properly rehabilitated in print.
retropath2 says
No, maybe not, but many of us refer to chaps, for the plural, or, a chap, for one. (is that Moose I can hear in the difference, cogitating furiously around humorous abrasion related incidents on my nethers?)
Moose the Mooche says
I’m usually cogitating fairly furiously.
mikethep says
Hi, Chaparral.
retropath2 says
Aha, someone else who likes a pair of chaps coiled around their loins.
Gatz says
It’s worth checking if your library has any of these as free loan e-magazines to test the water. My library service (Essex) uses the Libby app to give access to over 3000. Lots of them are of very little interest to me of course, unless I develop a sudden interest in floristry or Modern Drummer becomes indispensable somehow, but I read Fortean Times, Viz, The New Yorker and occasionally some others on there.
johnw says
That’s what I use. Just a word of warning though, the Libby app is truly awful. I thought the previous reader the library used was bad then we were given Libby! It’s just ios our android as well which is a bit of a shortcoming.