The internet completely altered the world, bringing humanity closer together—and sometimes driving us further apart—while putting seemingly limitless amounts of information, ideas, and merchandise right at our fingertips. For all its supposed good however, society has begun to yearn for some of the things we miss from the way life was before.

Sure, online shopping is convenient, but it isn’t nearly as fun as the mall or a quaint downtown. Ebooks ensure we always have something to read at hand, but there’s a comfortingly tactile pleasure that comes along with holding a real book in your hand, assuming you’re one of the dwindling number of people who still do so for pleasure. Streaming services ensure we have countless albums, movies, and shows ready to call up at a moment’s notice, but the music libraries are filling up with AI slop, the videos you want to watch are spread around myriad streamers, and digital “ownership” is really more akin to a long-term rental which can be stripped away at a moment’s notice.

All of this has seen a rise in physical media sales in recent years, with more consumers opting to at least partially eschew the ethereal digital realm that Silicon Valley has thrust upon us in favor of something more tangible, permanent, and satisfying. So why should the magazine be any different? Here are 5 publications that, while available online, still offer print editions that can be mailed to your home—or in some cases borrowed from the Library—and that I feel are well worth your time and attention. – Sean Farrell

The New Yorker

A legend among magazines, this weekly periodical is always full to bursting with some of the best writing on the planet. Illuminating essays on a range of topics share the pages with engaging short stories, moving poetry, and clever cartoons by authors like Lauren Groff, Ronan Farrow, Elizabeth Kolbert, Yiyun Li, Ben Lerner, Douglas Stuart, Zadie Smith, Bryan Washington, David Remnick, Jia Tolentino, and many, many more. It’s an ever-growing treasure trove.

Harper’s

Now celebrating it’s 175th year in publication, this storied journal has long been a who’s who of American letters. Also mixing essays, in-depth reportage, short fiction, and more, each issue is packed with pleasures. Featured writers include Stephen King, Martin Amis, Lauren Groff, Hanif Abdurraqib, Edwidge Danticat, Susan Choi, Garth Greenwell, Lydia Millet, T Kira Madden, and so many more.

The Saturday Evening Post

Even older than Harper’s, The Saturday Evening Post—once home to legendary cover art by painter Norman Rockwell—was first published in 1821. It may no longer run on a weekly schedule, but the monthly issues they still put out contain a lively blend of stories both nostalgic and enlightening. The magazine equivalent of nutritious comfort food.

The Onion

It’s good to laugh, and while reality continues to make satire more challenging to write, the staff at this venerable humor institution keep cranking out genuinely funny material. Tackling hot button topics (Trump Sees Hunter Biden Smoking Crack on Wing of Air Force One) and everyday foibles (That Last Drink the One That Did It, Report Hungover Sources) with equal elan, no one else currently running can match the offbeat wit displayed daily here.

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This thoroughly modern (but still 21-year-old) literary magazine has quickly become known for its bold and engaging voice, publishing essays, poetry, and stories from authors both established and up-and-coming like the late Anthony Veasna So, Olga Tokarczuk, Rachel Kushner, Colin Asher, Patricia Lockwood, Rachel Khong, Percival Everett, and more. Every bit as enjoyable to read as it is thought provoking.

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Neither the Library or its staff receive any compensation for inclusion on this list or for links to external websites.

Cover photo by JACQUELINE BRANDWAYN on Unsplash.