Utne Reader's library is abuzz with a steady flow of 1,500 magazines, newsletters, journals, weeklies, zines, and other lively dispatches from the cultural front that are rarely found at big-box bookstores, newsstands, or even online. So we share the highlights (and occasional lowlights) of what's landing in our library each week in 'From the Stacks.' Check in every Friday for the latest edition.

A strange puppet show debuted in our office this week, thanks to the arrival of four friendly monsters made of small brown paper bags and glued-on body (or robot) parts. These jolly characters, one of whom appears at left, accompanied Paper Kitty, an enchanting zine that hosts a diverse troupe of illustrated personalities. Drawings are lovingly rendered throughout, and the zine's creator clearly relishes small details, even when they're peripheral to the story (as when three tiny mice share a thought bubble containing a wedge of Swiss cheese). There's plenty of room for writing as well, including a nice story about the author's visit to her elderly neighbor's house. Paper Kitty manages to seamlessly integrate text and illustrations -- something many zines seem to struggle with -- and remains remarkably uncrowded. -- Danielle Maestretti

Think Spanish informs and entertains aspiring Spanish speakers without the frustrating task of repeatedly flipping through a dictionary. The monthly magazine is written in Spanish for non-native speakers, with difficult vocabulary bolded and defined at the side of the page. Though there are grammar exercises in the back, Think Spanish doesn't read like a workbook. The January? issue contains articles on Argentine literary titan Jorge Luis Borges, eco-villages in Latin America, and the Fiesta de San Antonio in Spain. The magazine is one of several foreign-language titles put out by Second Language Publishing. -- Bennett Gordon

Inspired by Think Spanish, we offer From the Stacks' first venture into bilingual territory: Piensa en Espa?ol informa y divierte personas que quieren aprender espa?ol, sin la necesidad de un diccionario. La revista mensual es escrito en espa?ol para personas que no nacieron hablando espa?ol, con vocabulario oscurito y definido al lado de la pagina. Aunque hay ejercicios gram?ticos en la parte de atr?s de la revista, Piensa en Espa?ol no lea como un libro de la escuela. La edici?n de enero contiene art?culos sobre el tit?n literario de Argentina Jorge Lu?s Borges,? eco aldeas en Am?rica Latina, y la fiesta de San Antonio en Espa?a. La revista es uno de varios t?tulos de idiomas extranjeros publicado por Second Language Publishing. -- Bennett Gordon