Magazine Review: Oh Reader, Issue 001 edited by Gemma Peckham
So it turns out publishers are still starting new print magazines in this calamitous year of 2020. Fittingly, it’s a magazine for and about people who like to read. The primary focus, at least in this issue, is essays on various aspects of reading.
The issue opens with an introduction by the editor, a “to be read list” of books the editor would like to push, and an advertising spread of reading-related products. (Barnes & Noble has two pages of ads as well.) The first essay is also by editor Gemma Peckham, about her personal reading history.
The essays are very short, three pages maximum, each getting a full title page and sometimes an extra image page as well. There’s also several full page photos of bookshelves, completely uncaptioned, even with the name of the photographer. It’s all very pretty and spacious design, but feels like it could have been squeezed a bit to get in more essays to read.
As for the essays, they cover a reasonable spectrum of readers and related topics. My favorites were “Edward Rochester: Not an Ideal Husband” by Kiran Josen, about learning that Jane Eyre may not have given readers the best romantic advice; “Language with Feeling” by Kerry Kijewski, about the need for Braille literature; and “Turning the Page on Grief” by Camille Beredjick on reading in the wake of tragedy and how different books served different purposes in the process.
My least favorite feature was “Librarian of Lies” by Sara Backer, based on a set of library rules from 1930. Interesting subject, but still that modern poetry that leaves me cold.
The last essay in the issue is “Finding Myself in Books” by Lisa Levy. She’s a professional reader who finds ways to still enjoy books.
This first issue is a bit sparse on words for its price, but again, very pretty. If future issues can up the ratio of words to design, it could do well. Consider picking up a copy to encourage the production of new magazines!
