Unbelievable...

This magazine is an unbelievable, exhaustive compilation of reviews covering the universe of recently published books. Overall, the writing in the magazine is as dazzling as its layout, managing to be both concise and intellectually enlightening at the same time. Reviews from around the world are compiled and distilled to their very essence, allowing the reader to emerge with a reasonable understanding of the next book with which to curl up. As if that were not enough, each issue features at least two, well-crafted original retrospectives focusing on a particular chosen author's body of work and the historical context from which each book was created.

This is truly a magazine written by and for people who are crazy about books. It is beautiful both in its appearance and in its writing. There is no greater compliment to the magazine than in my giving a gift subscription to my favorite (long-time-ago) high school English teacher. I hope he will enjoy it as much as I have!

Indispensible resource for readers of all genres and ages

(****1/2) Bookmarks (A Reader's Guide to the Best in Books) is the newest magazine for bibliophiles in the market. Since its preview/debut issue in Summer 2002, Bookmarks has released 10 issues featuring a mixed bag of classics and contemporary authors like Steinbeck, Dickens, Garcia Marquez, Virginia Woolf, Waugh, Austen, Morrison, Naipaul, Potok, Faulkner, Potok, Vonnegut, and Philip Roth.

The bi-monthly publication has book reviews and selections for readers of all ages. The "Book by Book" section will features a detailed coverage on works of a specific author, suggestions on introductory books to the author, a specific genre of literature, or a particular time period. The currents issue (May/June 2004) features Leo Tolstoy and Literary Voices of the Pre-Civil Rights Era, with a look at classic works by Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, and James Baldwin.

More than half the pages of the magazine focus on navigating the ever-expanding sea of reading: new books, now-in-paperback books, and reader-favorite recommendations. This is by far the most useful and timesaving resource for me to search for my next reading selection. The "Selections" allows me to preview staff favorites from among the most highly rated books in an issue (usually 4 stars and above).

The "New Book Guide" features book reviews separated into genres like spot, literary fiction, crime, sci-fi, general non-fiction, biography, history, science, and arts. It is therefore structured to find easily the information about a particular book most appealing and relevant to me. Each book featured in this section has a critical summary. The books covered fall into three basic categories: highly rated books that received many reviews, highly rated books that received less comprehensive coverage, and lower rated books that were widely reviewed and well-publicized. That way general popularity of the books, as well as the collective but disparaging critics may be accommodated. Highly rated books maybe balanced with the less publicized or lower-rated books. After all, it is frustrating to apply ratings to any works of literary arts in the absence of myriad choices. To accommodate such need, supplemental reading is provided.

Bookmarks strives to accommodate palates readers of all ages and genres. In any given issue readers will find, in addition to the new releases and talk-of-the-town books that perch on bestseller list, works of classics. I find the inclusion on works of classics and their authors very appealing to me. Bookmarks has simply topped my favorite periodical list for the year and become my reading companion.

2004 (28) © MY

Fantasmagorical

As an avid reader, I find this magazine an invaluable addition to my library. It gives concise, well-written reviews of both current and classic literature. I have chosen many new titles based on the reviews in BOOKMARKS, and have not once been disappointed. I often give this magazine as gift for graduations, birthdays, holidays. Every month they do an overview of an author: life, works, influences, and an analysis of the literature written. These articles are always an excellent read. This is a great beach/pool/summertime magazine. Also - a great resource for book clubs. I recommend it highly.