Apparently I can subscribe to The New Yorker digitally. It would arrive in my inbox on Monday, appear just like the printed magazine, and cost $40 a year.
“You should get it!” Taxman told me. “It will make you happy!”
But will it?
Part of the beauty of a physical magazine subscription is reading it on Shabbat or Yom Tov; toting it to read in the park while the kids play; letting it stack up while I read novels and then diving into the pile, searching for articles by my favorite staff writers and regular contributors: Gawande, Groopman, Sacks, Mead, McPhee, Angell.
So, yeah, silver lining. But I’m…undecided.
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July 12, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Shanna
I would not do the subscription, for the reasons you cited. I’d rather spend the $40/year on a few paperback books or something. (If you give me titles to look for on my local used book rack, I can buy and ship and it will probably STILL be cheaper than buying books in English in Israel.)
July 13, 2009 at 11:39 am
Madeleine
Do you know anyone who subscribes who would be willing to ship you a boxful every few months? It would be like getting a treasure box in the mail.
July 14, 2009 at 6:57 pm
The Editor
You can get very cheap used books (especially paperback fiction) in Israel if you know where to look and aren’t too picky about what you read. There are books ranging from 5-35 shekels that are not that hard to find.
The other great thing about being an ex-pat is that the entire Anglo community in Israel becomes your (free) lending library. People share readily, as long as you return books within a reasonable amount of time and in good condition.
Also, there are *always* people bringing old New Yorkers to Israel from the US (esp. in Jerusalem–I don’t know about elsewhere). You just need to find someone who does that and read them after they’re done. Or import them yourself when you go home for visits. True, they won’t be as new, but they’ll also basically be free.
What do I miss? The Sunday New York Times magazine, which I always read on Shabbat. (I’m returning to the US, so will be back to it soon enough.)
July 14, 2009 at 9:34 pm
kate
i kind of want to convert so i’ll have shabbat where i can read the actual new yorker. i vote no on electronic delivery.
July 25, 2009 at 9:10 am
Shana
Is it available on Amazon Kindle? You neeeeeeed a Kindle. I <3 mine.
July 25, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Abbi
Btw, I subscribe to the physical New Yorker for I think $120 a year. It’s so worth it. And because I suffer from severe mommy brain, I don’t have the patience and focus to really read anything else (like, uh, books). I’ve been subscribing since I made aliyah and it’s worth every penny because a) it keeps my sanity b) I don’t spend any other money on books (I actually really enjoy rereading my books I brought with me on aliyah. My husband thinks I’m nuts because he reads 4 books a week from the library.
I’m happy to share my sub with you, but there’s nothing like getting a fresh one in your mailbox. It’s the highlight of my week. I live in Ranaana, btw, not sure where you’re coming to.