Freelook Bookstore

For the “FindZine” assignment, I first searched for a zine database on Yahoo.com. I was not sure of the database we used in class, but I found it after doing my search: The Book of Zines Under the zine archives, I selected the Papercut Zine Library but it has been suspended. I am somewhat disappointed at this finding because I wanted to search through the 1,000+ zines in their collection. I also tried the Minneapolis College Zine Database but after clicking the link, the webpage could not be found. Consequently, I returned to yahoo.com and revised my search. I was able to locate a “free e-zine” via the FreeLook Bookstore This is volume 7, issue 1 for January 2007. The main webpage has the following welcome message: “Welcome to the E-Zine! It's full of original short stories, trivial news, jokes, limericks and more! Shake your head over our irreverent movie reviews, try our recipes, savor our poetry, and try our useful tips! No charge, no spam, no ads. No strings.” This e-zine is aimed at both informing and entertaining its followers, for free! This zine conveys information to its readers through several avenues. Some of the information is provided in a comical approach, while other information is more serious in nature. An example of comical information is found in the Here’s a Hot Tip Department This month’s zine features “Miss April May’s Hot Tips” in the “Here’s a Hot Tip” Department. A funny tip I take from this section is in regards to Ticks…never burn them off as it can cause the insect to regurgitate, likely to increase the chance of an infection. Now when I think of “Ticked off,” I recount the tick tip I read about in this zine. This tip department highlights that this zine is able to convey information without overwhelming its readers with unnecessary facts. Professor Bookman’s Reviews! is an example of the zine's intent to convey information that is more serious in nature. This section offers reviews about several books that can be deemed “great” or “not-so-great.” This “freedom of information” allows the zine’s readers to make informed decisions when picking out a book to read. Readers can quickly determine if the book will appeal to them. Many of these books are available through the zine. Other aspects of this e-zine reflect its purpose…to provide information that is comical, informative, or both to its readers at zero cost. In addition to the tips section and book review segment previously discussed, this e-zine proceeds to provide its readers with links to jokes, stories, and editorials provided by its free e-zine newsletter. After all, who doesn’t appreciate tips, book reviews, jokes, stories, movie reviews, and much more, all available in a user-friendly format from the FreeLook Bookstore zine?