a reader's digest for the liberal set

UR consistently packs their pages with quality and diverse material.

Their feature subjects are covered comprehensively and from several viewpoints. Other articles might not receive such thorough treatment, but still provide much food for thought. Every issue is a opportunity to learn something new.

My favorite magazine, or at least close to it

I've been a subscriber of UR for about 12 years - most of the time since the mag. has been in print. As someone said, it's sort of a 'Reader's Digest for liberals', or possibly another good tag is UR's own subtitle 'the best of the alternative press'. But that still doesn't completely describe UR. Yes, it has a lot of articles culled from all kinds of other magazines, big and small, but it also has good original feature articles. Every issue (every two months) has a 'centerpiece' of a particular topic with several articles on that topic. There are also always interesting articles on all kinds of things, which was led me to read about things that I probably wouldn't have otherwise (Atlantic Monthly has done the same thing for me many times, but I only have so much time to read!).
I'd highly recommend Utne Reader to intelligent, literate people who want to read news and articles on all kinds of things - political, environmental, social, economic, entertainment (the list goes on). Unlike a lot of media, UR doesn't have an American-only viewpoint, either. It's also fun. While many articles are on some serious topic, many are more fun, too, such as jump-starting your creativity, places to travel, etc.
Believe me, there is so much in every thick issue that you wouldn't want this magazine to come out every month. Check out an issue!

For thinking people

UTNE is a publication we got hooked on back in late '89.

We jokingly refer to it as the thinking readers Readers Digest, since the articles aren't "feel good" but are articles that are meant to make the reader think. Articles that come from a variety of other publications and cover a plethora of issues and topics.

It is a magazine that I find myself re-reading and re-reading past issues for months or years ago. And yes the publication is liberal or at least alternative lifestyle mode.