Brooklyn! or Bust

Brooklyn! It may always stand in the shadow of Manhattan, but Brooklyn is undoubtedly the center of the universe for editor Fred Argoff, whose zine is an inspired, informative tribute to his favorite New York borough. His "Brooklyn Lexicon & Pronunciation Guide" will floor you with entries like "Wonnid. Wanted. I wonnid pizza, not a hot dog!" Argoff also discusses Brooklyn's history and architecture, and complains endlessly about how rarely Brooklyn is given a fair shake. $2.50 to 1204 Avenue U, No. 1290, Brooklyn, NY 11229-4107.

Thrift Score.A zine dedicated to the pursuit of the occasional pearl buried beneath the stacks of dusty National Geographics and John Denver records found at any thrift store, Thrift Score includes stories such as "Can '70s Clothing Hurt You?," "Find a Thrift in Finland" and "Lamp + Plant = Plamp." No. 13 deals with recent alarming changes in the discarded-junk business, including shiny new Goodwills that resemble Kmarts, and thrifts that used to provide decent stuff for poor folks targeting collectors and antique dealers instead. There's a hilarious cartoon lampooning the overpriced items at the Salvation Army "boutique" in Santa Monica, such as a deteriorating foam boogie board with a missing cord for $48. Another example of out-of-control thrift-related inflation is a purse-phone, identical to the one that appeared on the cover of Thrift Score No. 1, and recently sold for $2,587.50 at a Sotheby's auction. A bible for those who shun the retail world in favor of other people's used tube socks, Thrift Score is a great read for both the casual thrifter and the most hardcore cheap-junk enthusiast. $1 to P.O. Box 90282, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.
Thrift Score web site