Yesterday I made my weekly hike to the mailbox, and found a review copy of Verily magazine waiting for me. To be honest, I planned to put off reading it for a while. I had a few other publications waiting for perusal for review, and I'm not much of a magazine person these days anyway. But I pulled the magazine out of the envelope and flipped through a couple of pages on the walk home from the mailbox, and, long story short, I ended up sitting down and devouring the issue, only reluctantly tearing myself away when it was well past time to start dinner.
Now, you might suspect that I'm just saying that to be nice. You might think that I'm so desperate to finally see a women's magazine whose tone wasn't inspired by Helen Gurley Brown that I'm willing to give an enthusiastic plug to any alternative that crosses my path, even if it's actually kinda lame. So this morning when I stepped out on the front porch to read some more of Verily with my cup of coffee, I brought my camera with me. Now you can join me as I flip through this great new publication, and see for yourself why it's great stuff.
In the introductory letter that came with the review copy, editor-in-chief Kara Eschbach said that one of Verily's goals is to give women advice that "goes beyond sex tips." I love that. It emphasizes the fact that women's magazines that are packed with one article after another about how to become a sex object don't offer women more; they offer less.
One thing I notice about Verily is that it assumes the dignity and intelligence of its reader. The editors seem to be writing to the woman who is modern, living in the world, yet also a thoughtful person who spends time pondering what really matters in life. In this issue, for example, we have touching pieces that touch on the deepest concerns of the human life (photo above)...
...As well as runway-to-reality fashion advice...
...And lipsticks tips. I have to say, I love it that we're discussing shades of lipstick. Sometimes publications that try to offer an alternative to the secular rags go too far the other direction: They give the impression that their ideal reader has no other thoughts besides heavy ruminations about how she can grow in virtue, and you end up feeling guilty if you do have an interest in makeup and cute clothes. The Verily editors didn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. They had real women in mind when they put this together.
There's also useful, practical advice, like how to take an invigorating vacation for $600.
And even humor!
Thanks to the Verily team for their clarity of vision, and their hard work putting this together. I love this magazine -- and now you've seen for yourself that I'm not just saying that to be nice. It's the women's magazine that we've been waiting for for more than a decade.
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I never heard of this. It sounds great. Thanks for the review.
I’ve seen several glowing reviews of this magazine on Catholic blogs but all the reviews, including yours, fail to mention that the subscription price is $30 for 6 issues. That is at least 3 times the price of a subscription to similar secular magazines. I am happy to pay that much and more for a magazine that has amazing unique content (like First Things) or that supports an organization I believe in (like Gilbert) but I don’t think I see the same kind of value here, especially since there are already so many wonderful magazines available for Christian women. I realize they lack the specifically Catholic perspective but I would like to see you include at least a mention of the many reasonably priced alternatives such as: Just Between Us, Called, Christian Woman, Today’s Christian Woman, Transformed, Christian Women’s Voice or Inspired Women, just to name a few. Thank you.
This magazine ought to make a pitch on college campus’.
This looks great and very well done. I hope it really takes off!
It looks great and I would love something like this arriving at my house if for no other reason as a posative role model for teenage girls. However I was never Blessed with a daughter and as a mother of 4 boys I would never be able to afford the 60 dollars per year price tag.
Whoa. That sounds strikingly like Darling Magazine, which is also just on the verge of its first print issue. Their online articles have been similarly excellent and well-grounded. How exciting, two different new women’s magazines that are both helpful and worth reading!
FYI: http://darlingmagazine.org/
(No, I am not affiliated with them in any way. I just came across them a few months ago, and was quite pleased.)
I have read the magazine cover to cover and can say that it is worth the subscription price. Verily magazine has NO ADVERTISEMENTS which may be why the price is higher than other magazines. That alone is worth the higher price for me! The first “teaser” issue is also available to read, in full, on Verily’s website at no cost. Check it out and decide for yourself.
Okay. I love it!
I just thumbed through the online teaser issue… without reading it completely, I love what you pointed out Jennifer, that it addresses both deeper meaning, and fun fashion. But what really stood out to me is that it does a wonderful job of balancing content for every woman. There’s room for validating marriage AND room for addressing the needs of the dating woman (not girl). (something even NCR can’t do)
Fantastic!!!!
Love this Magazine! $5 an issue isn’t bad at all, especially since it is 80 pages with no ads- people spend close to this on things that don’t matter! I’d rather use my money to support this awesome project and the young 20 something Catholic women who made it a reality! I’ve ordered my subscription! It’s a great gift idea for friends, nieces, sisters, etc. Thanks Verily for creating something relevant and fun- speaking as a young adult woman myself, we are dying for it! Love your blog too! (http://verilymag.com/blog/)
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