Magazines fill the shelves of every newsagent in the UK. From Take A Break to Caravan Weekly – there is something for everyone. If you want to laugh, read the gossip or find the best deal on a digital camera, there is nothing you can’t find in British magazines.

There are 118 categories of magazine, each having its own list of competing publications. In the present market, with companies competing for business with the internet, magazines are fighting for sales, and many are starting their own websites. But they still form a large share of the media in the UK.

We can’t possibly describe them all of the magazines here, but we can give you an idea of the main categories. One thing you should know is to watch out for the ‘top shelf’. This is where shopkeepers keep the ‘adult’ magazines, so they are out of reach for anyone not tall enough to look at them!

Men’s magazines

These are usually found on the shelf below the adult magazines, and often contain almost the same amount of nudity! Often there will be plenty of pictures of naked women, but there are also some men’s magazines worth reading as well as looking at. Some are just for fun with lots of pictures of girls, and cheeky features, with some humour as well. Good fun for a tea-break at work when you’ve got five minutes to spare, maybe...

There are also magazines to choose from if you are looking for something to read as well as look at the pictures. A few are aimed at the more mature and wealthy male reader. These are quite expensive magazines, but have a lot of content to keep you entertained.

Women’s Magazines

There are so many to choose from if you want to read something in which you can find features on fashion, make-up, sex, and gossip. These magazines aim to cover all aspects of life from a woman’s perspective. There are also magazines that tell you all about the latest gossip on celebrities, if you care...

Music

Which music magazine you read depends on the style of music you like. There are magazines that cover Indie Music, including mainly guitar bands (eg. Muse, Arctic Monkeys). Others focus more on the kind of music you hear on British radio or on MTV, aiming to cover all sorts of music including dance, rap, rock and pop and more.

Film

For the latest film reviews, check out the film magazines.

Don’t worry if what you are looking for is not described here. There are magazines in the UK to cover every interest from camping to religion. Just pop into your local news agent to browse and find what you are looking for!

By Matt Taylor

To be listed here click

USEFUL WORDS

mag = magazine
womens’ / mens’ magazines
glossy = printed on shiny paper
copy = a single example of a magazine


Reading Idioms
It’s just a load of tripe! = rubbish
I had to wade through page after page of information = read something boring which took a lot of time
I love dipping into it from time to time = read only part of it
I read her last book from cover to cover in one day = everything in it
There’s a brilliant twist at the end = unexpected change or development in the story
It’s too high brow – far too intellectual for my taste = concerned with or interested in serious cultural or artistic ideas
It’s only light reading but some of the articles can be quite informative = entertaining rather than serious and not needing much mental effort
Some chapters were fairly heavy-going = difficult to understand
Make sure you read the small print before signing = the important details of an agreement
I gave up after about 50 pages – I just couldn’t get into it = couldn’t become interested in
You have to be patient – it takes a while to get going = start / become interesting
It’s gripping, absolutely riveting, right to the very end = very, very exciting
I just couldn’t put it down until I’d finished it = couldn’t stop reading it
I’m sure it’s going to be a blockbuster = a very successful book
It’s a good read every month = interesting
It’s a must for anyone interested in fashion = something that you must do