Reader’s Digest hits 1,000 mark

The 1,000th issue of the 83-year-old Reader’s Digest comes out this week, and the occasion is likely to prompt thoughts about the publication’s colorful history and its status as an American symbol.

But the magazine, which is celebrating with a party in Manhattan on Thursday night, is studiously looking forward rather than back. The commemorative August issue includes a 95-page section devoted to “the big ideas that will change our lives in the next five to 10 years,” such as do-it-yourself doctoring, food as medicine and extreme vacations.

Beginning July 26, the entire issue will be available on the Reader’s Digest website. It will be free initially, but editor-in-chief Jacqueline Leo said that may become a new way to subscribe.

The magazine’s small size means it can be viewed at actual size on the computer screen, she noted.