One of the newest trends currently emerging in the traditional publishing world is the cross-niche, global magazine. Apparently, reading up on culture, society, international affairs and everything in between in one compact publication is where readership is going – or, at least where publishing houses want us to be. Illustrating this point is the lot of new publications that are seamlessly merging a wide variety of topics into one package. Take for example, a personal new favorite of mine, Monocle magazine, from the publisher of the widely successful Wallpaper magazine.

Monocle, as described on its Web site, “is a global briefing covering international affairs, business, culture and design and is developed for an international audience hungry for information across a variety of sectors.” Further blurring the lines, its publishers call it “more of a book than a magazine.” Monocle maintains a high level of quality content through its extensive network of bureaus all managed from central command in London and is presented in a simple design chock-full of interesting photography.

In our increasingly interconnected, global world, these new media outlets are tapping into a new truism – connecting to the global community is accessible, important and relevant. What happens in Mumbai may not affect your daily life, if you are in say, Minneapolis; but what Monocle does well is its ability to open your viewpoint to new ideas and trends that can easily be translated to your work or personal life.