London Review of Books review
A literary magazine subscription with digital issues, app reading and archive access.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Literary criticism, essays, reviews and cultural writing are at the center of the London Review of Books, a magazine published twice monthly. It suits readers who want sustained long-form writing and access to past issues, with subscriptions for digital reading or for print and digital together. Subscribers can read on the website and in mobile and tablet apps; gift subscriptions are also available.
The Digital plan costs £35 per quarter after the introductory offer. It includes new issues online, website access, the mobile and tablet app, offline reading, saved articles and the online archive. The Print and Digital plan costs £54 per quarter after the introductory offer and adds 22 print editions per year while retaining website, app and archive access. Both are paid quarterly subscriptions, so the choice is chiefly between digital-only reading and receiving print editions as well. The separate Close Readings podcast subscription is not part of either magazine plan.
The archive and app features make the digital subscription a fit for readers who value back issues and want to save articles or read offline on mobile devices and tablets. Those seeking a print copy can choose the higher-priced combined plan. Readers primarily looking for included audio should look elsewhere or account for a separate Close Readings subscription; likewise, the quarterly cost may not suit someone seeking a free or lower-cost magazine option. The strongest case is for readers committed to literary criticism and a deep archive, rather than a broad bundle of publications or audio content.
London Review of Books pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Digital plan includes new issues, app access and online archive access
- App supports offline reading and saved articles
- Print and Digital plan includes 22 print editions per year
- Where it doesn't
- No free plan; Digital costs £35 per quarter after the introductory offer
- Print and Digital costs £54 per quarter after the introductory offer
- Close Readings podcasts require a separate subscription
London Review of Books fact sheet, pricing and score →
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