The New York Review of Books review
A literary magazine with a deep archive and digital tools, priced for committed readers.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
The New York Review of Books is a literary and cultural magazine covering books, politics, science, history, and the arts. Its digital edition suits readers who want regular criticism and essays alongside access to a long-running archive; print-and-digital subscriptions serve readers who also want physical issues. It is a focused publication subscription rather than a general news bundle, so its value rests on interest in its editorial coverage and archive.
The digital plan costs $99.95 per year and includes 20 online issues annually, the NYR App, and archive access dating to 1963. In the app, subscribers can read articles in text or PDF views, save articles, and search recent issues and NYR Online content. There is no free plan, so occasional readers may find the annual commitment difficult to justify. For readers who expect to return to older coverage as well as current issues, the archive and search tools give the subscription a clear use beyond each new edition.
Print-and-digital plans add print issues while retaining digital access and the archive. In the United States, the annual option is $129.95 and a two-year option is $219; Canada and international plans have different listed rates. Gift subscriptions, as well as institutional and public library subscriptions, extend access beyond individual buyers. Choose this publication for sustained literary criticism and cultural essays, especially if the historical archive or print edition matters. Readers looking mainly for broad, bundled news coverage or a low-cost occasional read should consider another subscription.
The New York Review of Books pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Subscriber archive access dating to 1963
- NYR App includes text and PDF article views, saving, and search
- Print-and-digital plans and gift subscriptions are available
- Where it doesn't
- Digital access costs $99.95 per year
- No free plan is offered
- Print-and-digital pricing varies by region
The New York Review of Books fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update