How to Read The New Yorker: A Beginner’s Guide for Japanese Readers

ntroduction

Hello everyone, this is Maegami from Goddess’ Bangs 🌸

Are you practicing every day to build your English brain? Today, we’re diving into something a little advanced — how to read The New Yorker.

The New Yorker is a world-famous American magazine featuring essays, fiction, poetry, reviews, and commentary on art, politics, and culture. Its English level is quite high, but don’t worry — in this post, I’ll share how beginners can still enjoy it and make it part of their English-learning journey.

💡 Digital subscription tip:
The annual plan is $109.99, with a discount for the first year — and yes, you get a free tote bag that’s not available anywhere else!

Understanding the Structure of The New Yorker

The New Yorker is divided into several main sections. Knowing what each one contains helps you choose where to start:

• Talk of the Town — Short essays about New York City’s latest news, culture, and social happenings.
• Fiction — Short stories from both famous and emerging authors.
• Poetry — Modern poems by contemporary poets.
• Profiles — In-depth interviews or portraits of fascinating people.
• Reviews — Cultural criticism covering books, movies, art, and music.
• Cartoons — Witty, often satirical cartoons that capture the essence of everyday life.

Decide Your Reading Order

Start with what interests you most. For beginners, I recommend short essays or cartoons first. Once you’re comfortable, move on to longer sections like Fiction or Profiles. That way, you’ll build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.

Tips for Reading The New Yorker

1. Build Some Background Knowledge

Many articles discuss specific events, people, or topics. A quick search online before reading can make the content much easier to understand.

2. Take Notes

If you come across unfamiliar words or interesting phrases, jot them down. Reviewing them later helps strengthen your vocabulary and comprehension.

3. Read with a Relaxed Mind

Don’t worry if you don’t understand every sentence. The New Yorker uses sophisticated language, but the key is to enjoy the process. Read at your own pace, and don’t stress about perfection.

Make the Most of the Digital Edition

You can read The New Yorker online, and the digital version includes full archives of past issues. It’s perfect for exploring specific topics in more depth.

Personally, I subscribe only to the digital version — it’s more affordable, and I can read it on both my phone and tablet with the same account. Super convenient!

Find Reading Companions

Reading with others makes the experience even more rewarding. Join online communities, forums, or book clubs where people discuss The New Yorker. Sharing thoughts in English helps reinforce what you learn and gives you new perspectives.

Conclusion

Today, we explored how to read The New Yorker. Each article can be quite long, and yes, it requires a solid level of English comprehension — but with daily reading, you’ll get used to its rhythm and tone.

The secret is consistency. Read a little every day, even if it’s just one paragraph. Over time, you’ll start understanding naturally — and maybe even begin to think in English.

Keep reading, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the journey! ✨

And remember — start learning English as early as possible. It’s never too soon to begin!

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• How to Study English with The New York Times: Build Your English Brain
• Why Japanese Struggle with English and How to Improve