I first “discovered” this magazine from a friend on my hall. Created by Davy Rothbart and Jason Bitner, FOUND magazine takes ordinary things and publishes them. Photos, doodles, diary pages, love letters, printed emails found in a parking lot, death threats, etc. It also has occasional interviews with prolific stuff-finders, like teachers and used book dealers. The third issue is due out sometime this fall, and I can’t wait.

Innovation

This is certainly a great idea. The only reason it doesn’t get a 5 out of 5 is that the magazine is still somewhat new (two issues so far), so given time people will send in more found stuff and the quality/humor level will go up significantly. Right now I’d rate about 50% of the items funny (with about 10% being drag-your-roommate-in-to-show-them hilarious), 35% deep or poignant, and 15% beautiful or insightful but not particularly exciting. The quality interviews will probably improve with time, too.

Appeal

This magazine ought to appeal to everyone, except for particularly prudish grandmothers (some “love” letters get a bit graphic, and the death threats are a bit profane). I want to have a coffee table so I can keep this magazine on it. It’s up there with the Onion in terms of pick-it-up-and-read-a-bit status. I regret reading most of it in one lump, because I think I would have enjoyed some of the weirder notes more compared with the rest of my day instead of against each other.

Availability

Although you can find it online and order a subscription there, it’s not widely carried by bookstores, especially chains. It’s more expensive to order a subscription ($7 instead of $5 each because of shipping), but hopefully in a few years you’ll be able to find it around more.

Value

For $5-$7 per magazine (depending on whether you subscribe or buy it in an independent bookstore), it’s wonderful. Hardly any ads (a classified section in the back), a good quality of paper and printing, all in color, and longer than most magazines.

Life-changing effect

Well, I pick up a lot more litter now. And occasionally I find something interesting that makes me think. So far, my conclusion is that humanity in general is a really bad speller. Honestly, though, it makes walking down the street a lot more exciting because every little piece of trash could be a confusing or humorous glimpse into a stranger’s life.

Overall

5 out of 5. I enjoy an ad-free magazine that makes me laugh, and that costs less than seeing “Titanic” for the fourth time. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is bored by National Geographic or Vogue, or math class, or the doctor’s office, or basically anything else in life.