Recently, I've bought several books from Joann's at 40% or 50% off. I quit getting all magazines and I definitely will not spend $8+ for a single pattern which is usually one page or so.
A magazine might have one pattern that I MIGHT be interested in making, while a book has several patterns. If you consider that a single pattern costs at least $8 and a book on sale averages around $15 after discount and has an average of 10 patterns in it, then a book is definitely a better buy :)
That's MHO anyway :)