One of the absolute staples in the indie magazine world, McSweeney’s has been publishing their literary quarterly since 1998! A feat!

Not only do they set the standard for their editorial curation, but they consistently push the boundaries of editorial design. Past issues have been composed of ‘junk mail’, an auditory issue with a complete sound experience to match the physical, and even a lunchbox.

This issue is a playful ‘dual-book’ design that folds out to surprise and delight.

What’s inside? “Never-before-translated fiction by Alejandro Zambra; alongside dazzling new literature from Kenan Orhan, Deb Olin Unferth, and Hannah Kingsley-Ma; letters by Halle Butler, John Wray, and Massoud Hayoun; an Odyssean, toad-centric, natural-wine-drunk novella by Tom Bubul; a twelve-page, two-book-wide fever dream of a comic by Matt Panuska that can be read only if and when both books are open at once; a twenty-four-page booklet of additional drawings by Sato; and so much more.”

Great for: The book club host, your friend who is impossible to buy for, and anyone who admires true craftsmanship.

A must-read for any literary obsessive, passionate reader, or anyone seeking a little inspiration, The Paris Review consistently puts out one of the most well-rounded collections of interviews, essays, art, etc.

Their 2021 redesign (a reference to a past design from the 60s/70s) brought a minimalist approach and something that feels truly like a book in your hand.

Featured in this Issue: Cecily Brown, Tao Lin, Patrick Cottrell, Yu Hua & more

Great for anyone who regularly shops used book stores, people trying to ~slow~ their lives down or people that want to be well read but can’t commit to a full book.

~ Official 2026 Summer Pick ~

As they describe it: “At Synonym, we are telling immigrant stories through food. As strangers in a new land, a taste of home can provide comfort and familiarity. Bringing those tastes together with the food at hand creates new traditions, a new heritage.”

What you’ll find in this spiral-bound beauty are heartfelt stories, bold design, and, naturally, some recipes.

Great For: Home chefs, design obsessives and folks curious to learn about cultures beyond their own (through food naturally).

Follow along the Mag Club Substack for the full club experience!