I’ve been reading Reader’s Digest off and on for about 35 years, and it’s never changed. It’s still the same magazine it was when I was a child.
It’s a small easy to carry size, and the articles tend to be short and to the point. It’s well designed with readable type and many illustrations and photos.
The short articles often include subjects such as health, travel, and stories about heros and miracles. The tone is inspirational, with people overcoming amazing odds. The articles are often reprints from other sources. Each month a book is condensed and printed in the magazine. Regular departments include jokes and vocabulary improvement. Jokes are contributed by readers, and paid for at a reasonable rate.
The slant of the magazine tends to be very right wing, and family value oriented, and for that reason it’s not one of my favourites. I pick it up doctor’s waiting rooms or at a friend’s house, but I don’t buy it.
Reader’s Digest is also available in a large print edition for people who have poor eyesight.
Reader’s Digest is a good magazine when you want some quick easy reads, and some inspiration. You won’t find much that is difficult or thought provoking, just an entertaining few hours of reading. I do recommend it, but with reservations.