Gamefreaks: New Zealand's dedicated video game monthly
Gamefreaks is the latest gaming magazine we are receiving, bringing you the latest news on the latest games, upcoming titles, hardware and news of the gaming community. The reviews definitely feature many pictures for those who love eye candy and the editors try to be quite fair with the writing at times drooling over the games. It also features quite a large list of upcoming games and movie section as well. Of course, Gamefreaks also features interviews with game developers and various people from the gaming community. In addition, it features the latest toys to hook up to or be hooked up to. A good magazine will be useful and appealing to everyone from casual to hardcore gamers.
-- Ben, Central
Car
This new addition to our collection has something for everyone. It contains an interesting selection of performance and supercar tests for those of us who want to experience the vicarious thrill of chasing a Lamborghini in the latest Aston Martin. For those with smaller wallets, each edition features a comparison of new models such as the Ford Focus versus obvious and not so obvious rivals. One feature I really like is “Icons” where a different motoring figure is profiled, such as Rudolf Diesel. There is also a different classic car profiled in each edition. The magazine is packaged in a glossy, well illustrated format and can be read in one bite or at your leisure.
- Glenn, Central
Psychology today
Do you think all men have a sixth sense? Why do most women do all the talking? I wouldn’t be able to answer your question but Psychology Today can give you the answers or help you with an understanding on so many things. Tackling all types of issues from Health, Stress, and Relationships to Human secrets. It always amazes me what you can learn about yourself and others by reading this. To connect online check out their website http://www.psychologytoday.com/
-- Leitu, Central
Wax poetics
Wax poetics is a wonderful quarterly music magazine, my new favourite. The focus is on hip-hop: vinyl collecting, musical history and production, but Wax Poetics is certainly not just for the hip-hop purist! Under the hip-hop “umbrella”, this journal also explores jazz, funk, soul, blues, reggae and R&B and everything in between. There is something here for everybody, whether your interest is the music itself or the sociological and cultural background in which it was created. This is a highly collectable magazine, featuring fantastic graphic art and beautiful photographs of whoever is being interviewed (recent interviewees are Lee “Scratch” Perry, Ornette Coleman and Pharoahe Monch). I need to take out a subscription for this one!
-- Rose, Central
The believer
The believer is an excellent new subscription we’ve picked up, mostly dealing with literature, as well as other artforms, politics and pop culture, plus an always-funny advice column by Amy Sedaris. It’s not limited to recent releases and issues only, writers can pretty much write on whatever they want. It’s published by McSweeney’s, so you know you’re likely find good long articles, written by very smart people.
-- Elisabeth, Central
Bust
Bust magazine came out of the riot grrl zine movement in 1993 and continues to run today, in a more glossy traditional magazine style. Bust is always informative and fun, with articles on plenty of famous faces, interesting and unusual crafts and fashions and all sorts about what it’s like to be a girl in the 21st century. It's politically aware, without being boring.
-- Elisabeth, Central
Healthy food guide
A recent newcomer to the shelves, this New Zealand publication is chockfull of recipes, tips and articles to make our lives healthier.
The May 2007 issue focuses on winter including articles on colds & flu, soups, and hints on healthy snacks. Personally, I’m going to try out the gluten-free chocolate cake with boysenberry topping!
Check out the website at http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/.
-- Annie, Central
The advocate
If you’re looking for something a little more serious and a little less dude-centric than Gay times magazine, the Advocate is your best bet. It has a good mixture of light reading and serious articles on issues facing the gay community, plus cute girls and boys! A winning combination!
-- Elisabeth, Central
Magnet
An excellent read for the indie kid in us all, giving well deserved attention to musicians largely ignored by mainstream publications. It’s got good indepth articles on a range of indie types, plus tonnes of record reviews to make lists for the record shop with! Worth a trip to the Mt Albert or Remuera libraries to get the latest issue, for sure.
-- Elisabeth, Central
Top Gear
The New Zealand edition of the magazine based on BBC’s Top Gear programme. The March 2007 issue features everything you wanted to know about presenter Richard Hammond’s near-fatal crash in the jet-powered Vampire, and the Top Gear Cars of the Year 2006 awards.
Each issue features car reviews, of course, and other odd bits, like The Grid – what’s hot and what’s not.
It’s a stylish, glossy mag that’s fun for even the-not-quite-a-petrol-head crowd.
-- Annie, Central
New Zealand outdoor
 If shooting furry little pests is your cup of tea, then I think you’ll find NZ Outdoor Magazine an excellent read. It has a wide range of articles about all kinds of hunting from rabbits to eight pointers (really big deer for you non-shooty types).
With an emphasis on safety and responsible gun ownership, this is a reputable publication for serious hunters rather than gung-ho idiots with rifles. NZ Outdoor magazine also contains many useful tips sent in by readers, a personal favourite being ‘try to remember to put your mobile phone on ‘silent’ if you ever find yourself hiding from a homicidal maniac’. Sound advice that.
-- Kim, Central
Paper crafts
A potpourri of crafting ideas using paper – from scrapbook pages to cards to memorabilia holders. Even the ads are inspiring.
-- Annie
Tapu
Curious about the latest fashion trends in Samoa? Wondering about the political structure of Wallis and Futuna? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to know more about Tokelau’s tuna fishing industry? The answers to all this and more can be found in Tapu magazine, a publication that concentrates on both the Samoas (that’s Western Samoa and American Samoa for all you palagis!), Nuie and Tokelau, as well as some of the lesser known areas of the Pacific. Tapu is a nice little magazine that is chock-a-block with stories and pictures from all over the Polynesian world. There are articles about everything from social events to politics and lots of nice shiny photos of palm fringed beaches that we here in chilly old N.Z can only sigh wistfully about.
In all seriousness, there is a lot going on in the Pacific at the moment that New Zealanders should be taking notice of. We have coups and riots unfolding virtually on our doorstep yet often remain more in touch with what’s happening in Europe or the Middle East. Now is an excellent time to get out there and find out more about our Pacific neighbours and Tapu magazine is a great place to start!
-- Kim
Bead and button
I admit it – I’m a bead addict! And this magazine just fuels the need. After reading through the October 2006 issue I came up with a list of 5 projects I needed to do – one of which I did complete within a couple of days (see image to right). Even the ads are fascinating – ideas for designs, websites to visit…. And it’s accessible for many levels of beaders – first timers to experienced.
--Annie, Central
The oldie
In this age of political correctness, I was a bit dubious about a magazine entitled The oldie. However, any reservations I had quickly vanished once I had sampled the first few pages of the September issue. The oldie describes itself on the cover as a “soon to be award winning magazine” and “a barrage of unique features,” which gives you some idea of what is in store. It’s funny, informative and immensely readable – don’t let the title put you off.
--Betty
Australian house and garden
If you enjoy reading New Zealand house and garden, why not take a look at Australian house and garden too. It has a slightly more practical aspect with good gardening and recipe sections featuring seasonal produce. If you are planning a trip to Australia, the magazine features new homeware available in their shops, or you can hunt down similar ones here. The latest copy is on display on the first floor of the Central City Library. Back copies can be requested from one of the reference desks and can be read in the library. Lending copies are available at Central and in many of the community libraries.
- Anna
Who weekly
Looking for some light relief? Wondering what is going on in the bizarre world of Hollywood? Need an update on Jen and Vince? Look no further than Who weekly, an Australian gossip magazine that promises to be the ‘first in celebrity news’. Closely aligned to the American magazine People, Who weekly answers all your celebrity queries, reporting on the latest hook-ups, divorces, rumours and weight gains. It also provides book, music and movie reviews alongside articles on fashion and how to get the latest star style. Who weekly is fun and informative, perfect for a rainy weekend afternoon or a long bus journey home. Look out for the annual ‘Best and Worst Dressed’ issue, it is not to be missed!
- Nadine
Up2Scrap: New Zealand's premiere scrapbooking & paper crafts magazine
Finally, a scrapbooking mag with New Zealand information in it! Ever issue has great scrapbooking ideas, columns, altered art and readers’ gallery – with information for upcoming themes for readers to submit their work. There’s also location details of scrapbooking shops around the country.
- Annie
The wire: adventures in modern music
Thank goodness for The Wire magazine. A music magazine that goes where others fear to tread- its writers wade deep into the heart of the artists they profile. Ever wanted to buy a record (sorry, a “compact disc”) by The Fall but didn’t know where to start; or why Sonic Youth have gone all pop on their new record; or why so many guitarists worship at the altar of the late great John Fahey, or who the heck Phil Niblock is. Of course you have! And the answer to all these important questions, dear reader, are to be found in The Wire-- not to mention reviews of jazz, hip hop, and all things musically avante
garde. A magazine for non-apathetic listeners.
-- Simon
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