WEJETSET READS.

The other day a colleague and I were discussing the state of books, magazines and publishing in general. In the age of zooming interwebs, some of our favorite titles were adjusting and gaining momentum, while others, too many, were fading and closing shop. One right after another. It hurt to hear that I.D., a long time favorite, was calling it quits after 55 years of incredible work. So, all this got us thinking. Which magazines are publishing timeless material and doing what they do best – telling stories?

Wax Poetics was the first to come to mind. Since its debut, we’ve traveled with the music journal close by our side. It was with us on long subway rides home. And it was tucked in our bags when we traveled to Tokyo on a mission to find obscure records. Wax Poetics is a phenomenal publication and one we hope stays around for a long time. It’s been a loyal and consistent travel companion over the years. Click Read More for additional information.

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We’re excited to announce a new publication from one of our very own contributors, Phuong-Cac Nguyen. Total Sao Paulo is a smart and authentic travel guide helping visitors navigate the best of a Brazilian metropolis. From locally adored restaurants and art spaces to graffiti gardens and street fairs, they’ve assembled a nicely curated resource for travelers looking to explore the city through the eyes of a local.

In addition to the fantastic guide, Total Sao Paulo is also online. Operating as an accompaniment to the print publication, Phuong-Cac and her team of writers are using the site to build a database of must-see listings and illustrate a side of Sao Paulo that is often overlooked. The simple layout, crisp writing, and beautiful photos will have you clicking for hours. Be sure to check it out here. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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We’re always on the hunt for city innovations and how various groups make their neighborhoods better – whether it’s through art, design, engineering or policy. One of our go-to publications is Next American City. It’s a reliable resource for how cities across America are finding ways to improve their circumstances. If you get a chance, pick up a copy. The editorial direction is informative and entertaining, while the layout and design is spot on.

Here’s a bit about the magazine: Next American City is a national quarterly magazine about making cities better. We observe, document and conceive realistic solutions about how to improve cities—how to ensure that future generations’ lives are improved, and not made more dangerous or unnecessarily complicated by the decisions we make. In each issue of the magazine you’ll find investigative features, thoughtful essays and interviews from the front lines of urban change and innovation.

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It’s no mystery that we’re fans of Monocle Magazine. Last year we covered the first installment of their Travel Top Fifty. And this year they’re back with another fifty creative, progressive and smart examples representing the best travel has to offer. Instead of using obvious topics in their selection, they’ve stepped off the beaten path and present something slightly different.

Compiled by the editor’s top experiences, Monocle’s 2008/9 Edition offers suggestions that dig deeper into the realm of travel. For instance, instead of listing the best hotels, they also present the best hotel gym, the best pre-flight dining and best thinker in the sky. Be sure to check it out. Pictured above is Zurich Station, selected as Best New Rail Hub. Click Read More for additional information.

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Biking to work, school or social activities is our favorite way to get around. We’re always spreading enthusiasm for bike travel. But sometimes we have a hard time converting folks because they see biking as an inconvenience – it’s too hard to incorporate into their day to day. Accidents, sweat, dirt, weather, etc. – we hear it all. Which makes us wonder where the tipping point is for bike travel? When do cities accumulate the critical mass necessary to easily induct new riders? When will our city look like Copenhagen, where biking is the norm?

For these reasons we love reading Copenhagen Cycle Chic. It reminds us of all the things we love about blogs. The authors pen an easy read. CCC conversationally demonstrates the city’s bike passion and provides an intimate peak behind the curtain. Like the Guardian said – CCC is “The Sartorialist on Two Wheels.” Check them out [Here].

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Over the holiday we received word that one of our favorite magazines is calling it quits. Ping Magazine – based in Tokyo, Japan – reported on some of our favorite stories. They did a fantastic job curating design focused information that consistently provided a peak behind the curtain of a culture that never stops creating and innovating. We’re sorry to see them go. We wish their writers all the best in their new endeavors.

One story that stuck with us was an interview with Joe Nishizawa – a brilliant photographer who captured the intricacies of Japan’s underground systems. It’s amazing when you consider the foresight and patience engineers and architects must have had to be able to create this wonderful infrastructure. As reported by Ping, “In Japan, unimaginably large spaces underneath our ground level lives another world. Even beyond the high walls of nuclear power stations, incineration plants or energy research organizations futuristic cities that we thought only to exist in science fiction movies unfold – not far from your neighborhood. We talked to Joe Nishizawa who photographed such hyper-surreal dimensions in Japan and just published a book Deep Inside.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Our pal Josh Spear is circumnavigating the globe and taking notes. His new blog Flying Standby chronicles his adventures with punchy writing and great photography. Josh’s three-week adventure will take him to New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shanghai, London, Geneva and back to New York again.

As Josh describes it, “We’ve all been there, at the gate, waiting for the train or hailing a cab in a far away place—all in the name of a slight change of plans, or that itch to move. I live with that itch to see new places, meet new people, and try new things. Because of it, I fly standby more than anyone I’ve ever met. And finally, I decided to write about it. See you at the gate.” Be sure to check out Josh’s latest travel adventures and experiences. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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