I am a reader. I admit I don’t read as deliberately and as much as I should, but it is important to me to read interesting articles and make notice of the way various writers use words. Some people can string together a series of words that will make me read and then re-read in awe. I always strive to better my writing. It’s a lifelong process, like the pursuit of being a phenomenal blogger. I am working diligently at both.

Below are five magazines I read on a consistent basis because I enjoy the writers and the way they use words. These magazine’s writers are always succinct yet provocative and thought-provoking.

NEWSWEEK: I’m not sure about this, but I suspect Newsweek sunk funds into paying better writers because their content is quite good these days. Recent great read: Donatella Versace Unveils Budget Fashion Line for H&M. Favorite sentence:

Nearby, a very well-groomed young man in a tuxedo jacket is futzing with a dangling drape on one of the windows, clearly nervous about the lack of glamour such an image conveys.

DETAILS: No, I am not Details’ typical reader, but again, I read because its writers are phenomenal. Recent great read: Vegan Hot Spots Are the New Celebrity Hangouts. Favorite sentence:

A handful of innovative vegan eateries are thriving in Los Angeles, attracting health-conscious celebrities in flip-flops and studio execs in suits and replacing old power-lunch locales like the Ivy.

THE ECONOMIST: I love The Economist. It’s just smart reading. When I was in London last month I saw the Economist HQ and almost lost my mind. I am indeed an Economist fangirl! Recent great read: The Q&A: Björk, musician: Still solving riddles. Favorite sentence:

She spins and spins while making the occasional intuitive leap, until finally a dazzling shape materialises.

VOGUE: Some argue Vogue’s content has waned in the past few years, but I differ. There is always an article or two that pique my interest and are extremely well-written to boot. Recent great read: My Week With Michelle. Favorite Sentence:

A few minutes later, we’re sitting in a brick wall–enclosed garden, talking over glasses of wine in the muggy twilight.

O MAGAZINE: I love O’s Writer at Large and columnist, Lisa Kogan. Her writing is so real and authentic. She’d be a fabulous blogger if she wasn’t already a world famous author and writer. Recent great read: How to Relax Now (Damn It!). Favorite sentence:

How does a woman live more than 40 years without having one idea for tomorrow’s ideas meeting?

I do realize that magazine writing is far different than blogging. We have to stay as brief as possible, no time for lofty language. I do argue that reading professional writers only makes us better bloggers. What do you read?

Jennifer James

Jennifer James is the founder and editor of Mom Blog magazine and the Mom Bloggers Club Network, a global social network of over 19,000 mom/mum bloggers. Jennifer is also the founder of Mom Bloggers for Social Good, an international coalition of 1000+ mothers who care about the world's most pressing issues and use social media and blogging for good. Jennifer has been featured by Fast Company, NPR, Forbes, CNN, Parenting, and ABC News among many other news outlets and currently writes about global development for the Gates Foundation and Huffington Post and social good for Babble. When she gets a chance she still comes back to her roots writing about technology and chronicles the mom blogging community. You can contact her at jjames [at] mombloggersclub.com.

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