I've bought at the local shop to see what kind of patterns are in there. I'm not into all traditional, so I've stayed away from them. Many magazines include only one kind of patterns/designs: traditional, contemporary, modern, improv. A few include combinations, Quilt Life has both traditional and improv, I know. Quilting Arts is more contemporary/modern/improv ideas. I too have experienced buying an issue I like many of the patterns/designs in and then once I get the others= not so much. I realized I was really getting a lot of magazines I was reading once and then putting away never to use or look at again, so I'm letting a bunch lapse. Some magazines are now available online, so no paper issue to deal with. You could try that route if you like that format.