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NYRB or LRB for thoughtful literary reading without too much politics

8 replies

AlpineAnja · 11/07/2026 16:19

I can't decide between the New York Review or The London Review of Books. I already use the Times Lit Supplement but would like another, especially if there's a free trial.

I am pulled though as research tells me the LRB is overtly political now, and I'm not too fond of that topic. I've looked over a few print versions and it appears to dominate with Trump, war, and convoluted arguments about privilege and class. I am just tired of all the doom and gloom. I love the look of the website though.

The NYRB looks really great, a lot less political and doesn't seem to pull every topic into a class/political argument. There's tons of art, poetry and book related stuff and great archive access.

I will mention a few writers and themes that I am drawn to to see if anyone can advise! I love the writings of Marina Warner, AS Byatt and previously Angela Carter, not necessarily concerning feminism but more the mythology, folklore, history, fine art stuff. I also liked Jonathan Miller, Umberto Eco and John Berger. I am very centre-left but don't want to get too bogged down in excessive 'woke' either.
I love the poetry of Ted Hughes and Alice Oswald, most classics, but not the more popular poets (such as Mary Oliver, Rupi Kaur) I like science, culture, landscape and eco writing, anything about consciousness and even the fortean (weird/uncanny) and articles that are in depth and don't fall into pop sensationalism or identity politics. I hate knee jerk journalism.

If anyone can give me a nudge that would be great. One of them has to suit me! Worth a shot!

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Reader19 · 11/07/2026 20:49

I don't think they are wildly dissimilar in the proportion of political content, but I don't tend to read the whole thing, so it's a bit hard to assess. The proportion also does vary from issue to issue. If I were subscribing to one only, I would choose the LRB as they review exhibitions I can realistically get to.

Have you browsed the contents of a few issues? If not, that might be useful.

https://www.lrb.co.uk/archive/v48
https://www.nybooks.com/?posttype=issue

AlpineAnja · 12/07/2026 16:31

Thank you! I have obtained a trial offer and am enjoying both for the time being.

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pippistrelle · 14/07/2026 14:19

I didn't renew my LRB subscription this year because of the ratio of opinion to review. Plus, it can be so pompous.

I favour the Literary Review these days.

Terpsichore · 17/07/2026 09:17

We had a sub to the NYRB for years and it was pretty political, but as it was US politics it tended to be fairly specialist/niche for UK readers (though some articles were very interesting). The arts reviews were generally excellent and often as interesting, if not more so, than the books being reviewed.

I still have a sub to the LRB and to me it’s become heavily dominated by political/sociological debate now. But then I'm primarily interested in literature, history and the arts generally.

If you have a library card, though, you can read the NYRB free on PressReader - I now do that. Sadly the LRB isn’t available there!

CrossPurposes · 17/07/2026 14:36

Both LRB and NYRB are on Libby/Overdrive if you have access through your library.

Terpsichore · 17/07/2026 16:59

CrossPurposes · 17/07/2026 14:36

Both LRB and NYRB are on Libby/Overdrive if you have access through your library.

Thanks for that @CrossPurposes as I'd searched unsuccessfully on Pressreader for the LRB. I've found it on Libby now, so will cancel my own subscription!

TonTonMacoute · 17/07/2026 22:02

Have a look at the Dark Mountain project

https://dark-mountain.net/

AlpineAnja · 24/07/2026 20:07

TonTonMacoute · 17/07/2026 22:02

Have a look at the Dark Mountain project

https://dark-mountain.net/

Sorry for the delay, but this looks like my cup of tea, thank you!

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