2 comments about The New York Times Will Shortz's Xtreme Xwords: 75 Ultra-Challenging Puzzles for the Gutsy, Truly Bold and Fearless Solver.

1. I must admit that I'm a very good crossword solver, so I had high hopes for this book. Some of the crosswords are tough, yes, but some are a breeze. So far there hasn't been one that I couldn't finish. I don't time myself at all, so I can't say I'd be able to complete one in 3, or even 10, minutes. All in all, the puzzles are challenging, but do-able for the seasoned crossword addict. Another thing: the format of the book is much smaller than I'm used to, but that does make it more portable than most.



2. A gold mine of crossword puzzles crafted for the experienced solver. They have all the Will Shortz characteristics -- challenging but fair, whimsical, and playful.

5 comments about How to Conquer the New York Times Crossword Puzzle: Tips, Tricks and Techniques to Master America's Favorite Puzzle.

1. This little book is a must for anyone who loves to do crossword puzzles. The puzzles in this book are challenging and fun!



2. As an avid crossword fan of modest ability, I found this to be a most helpful tutorial. It delivers just what the title promises -- all sorts of tips and strategies for solving the NYT crossword (or any crossword for that matter).
   
   I found the list of words any crossword fan must know as well the lists of common crossword answers to be particularly helpful. But perhaps the best praise I can provide is that after reading Amy Reynaldo's book, my solving skills have noticeably improved -- from a confident Tues. solver at best to someone who can now tackle a Thur. puzzle with a relatively high degree of confidence (Fri. and Sat. remain a significant challenge, but I'm working on it).
   
   Also, if you're looking to get a taste of this book, you might want to check out Ms. Reynaldo's blog, Diary of a Crossword Fiend (http://crosswordfiend.blogspot.com/), which provides great daily insight into the NYT and other crosswords.



3. I picked this up because I'm a fan of Reynaldo's blog, and because I've been stuck at a Thursday level of solving for longer than I liked. I can't say that any of the solving tips really helped all that much -- I've been solving long enough to have already learned them -- but what did help was just grinding my way through eleven Friday/Saturday level puzzles in a row. I just now finished last Friday's NYT puzzle in one sitting, which I don't think I'd ever done before, and I attribute that to the experience of working through all the puzzles in this book. I would imagine, though, that the word lists and other hints and tips would be helpful to a less experienced solver.
   
   Although the Hints and Tips section was not of much use to me while solving the puzzles (though I might still be stuck on 55A in puzzle 44 without them), I did enjoy that section for her commentary on the puzzles. In fact, it would have been nice if Reynaldo had provided URLs for the puzzles about which she had blogged.



4. If you are an experienced "NY Times" Crossword solver, there is little solving value in this book beyond refreshing your memory of common words and solving hints you may have forgotten. What you will find is a model of a kind and empathetic teacher helping less experienced solvers. Hint: emulate Amy when others ask for your help.
   
   If you generally finish the puzzles but don't keep track of time or accuracy -- pretty much my level after 30 years solving under four different editors -- you'll like the lists of words and devour the hints. You'll probably skip doing the puzzles in the book unless you solve your puzzles with pen or pencil.
   
   If you are a beginner, or stuck on at any particular level, Ms. Reynaldo's book will teach you to improve your solving and increase your solving pleasure. The lists and hints are first class with no clinkers apparent to me. Actually doing the puzzles, and consulting her hints and especially her overall comments in the end page, cannot but help you improve your solving. This is the best educational approach I've seen in any puzzle book.
   
   I skipped doing the puzzles in her book because I prefer doing puzzles on the computer. I've often consulted Ms Reynaldo's website on other puzzles. She posts similar commentaries every day on her blog at DIARY OF A CROSSWORD FIEND. Her analysis covers the "NY Times" and several other papers as well.
   
   I've bought a copy of her book to thank Ms Reynaldo for maintaining her blog, and I've sent her book out into Book Crossing's Wilds. Perhaps the Finder will be introduced to crosswords and become enchanted with this minor art form -- just as I became enchanted so many happy years ago.



5. I received this book as a Christmas gift. And it has changed my world. I was born and grew up during Chinese Cultural Revolution. Moved to the US when I was 30 years old. So American crosswords were almost impossible for me to crack, until I read Amy Reynaldo's book.
   
   Her chapters on "100 Must-Know Words" & "Word Banks" have saved me hours and hours of google time. Without her succinct explanations on "Crossword Glossary", "Understanding Themes" & the "Constructor's Tricks", I would have been forever lost in the darkness of this puzzling crossword world.
   
   I was so excited over Amy's book that I started my own Star Tribune Crossword Corner blog before I even finished her chapter on "Step-by-Step Thursday Puzzle".
   
   I've also emailed Amy (Orange) many times as I constantly encounter all sorts of crazy clues when I am blogging. She has never disappointed me, not even once. She always provides me with the concise information I need, always in a very efficient manner. And she is so patient in explaining the WHY and HOW to me (a total stranger to her).
   
   If you want to start doing NY Times, or TMS, or any crossword, you should consider buying this book. It's full of gems, and so easy to carry around for reference (little over 200 pages).

5 comments about Crossword Puzzle Dictionary: Sixth Edition.

1. This item was purchased as a gift for my 83 year-old father who stays sharp by completing two newspaper crossword puzzles daily. His previous copy of the same edition was only about five years old, but in absolutely tattered condition. I personally witness him using this dictionary at least twice daily. It is truly a fine product. Thank you for the easy ordering process, swift delivery and outstanding customer service.



2. My dad loves crossword puzzles, and about nine years ago I bought him this book in a paperback edition. He raved about how useful it was and used it daily until 2001, when it was destroyed in a house flood. It had gotten pretty tattered by then, but probably had another year or two of use left. I bought him a second book, this time in hardback, thinking it would last longer. That book is now six years old and has pages falling out! So, yesterday he asked that I get him a THIRD book, and no other crossword puzzle dictionary will do. I just wish a seventh edition would come out soon; I'm sure Dad could use some updated info.



3. My old edition finally fell apart, so I ordered a new one and I like it even better.



4. We do daily puzzles and NY Times puzzles on Sunday and this is the absolutely best when you are REALLY stuck...well, we call it a learning experience.
   Excellent in this edition is the highlighted country entries. We'll use it until it falls apart!



5. I have used an earlier edition of this for years. I think that it is the best Crossword dictionary published

5 comments about The Dell Crossword Dictionary (21st Century Reference).

1. The Dell Crossword dictionary is terrific! I have used Dell for years to help with my crossword puzzles, and found them to be totally complete--moreso than most other xword dictionaries.



2. This little Crossword Dictionary by Dell is the best little book for me. I keep it in easy reach. It has helped me learn quite a few words that were unfamiliar to me and gives me a wide vocabulary in my everyday conversations with people.
   
   I thank Dell for a wonderful addition to my library.



3. Very helpful when you need help doing crossword puzzles. The proper
   names are listed by first and also last names. It is the best cross
   word Dictionary that i have used.



4. I don't think this edition is as easy to find subjects in as the original.
   It doesn't have as many difficult to find words. I'de prefer my old version of 20 yrs ago if my dog had not eaten it.



5. I received this book on time and in perfect condition. It is a fine little book as far as it goes. However, at the same time that I bought this book, I also bought THE MILLION WORD CROSSWORD DICTIONARY, which is the best, bar none, crosswored puzzle solving aid I have ever used. I tend to use all my other crossword books secondary to it.

5 comments about The Million Word Crossword Answer Book.

1. I found this to be useless and returned the book. I wanted a book with definitions and this has none!



2. I've had this book about 1 month now, and although it's NOT a crossword book I use a lot, I've found it very useful when I've come across a clue to which I can not find an answer (and end up with a partially completed word). It's at this point that this work becomes the best crossword 'ANSWER' book I've ever encountered.
   
   A short synopsis of how this book functions...the main part of this book is an extensive list of possible answers; there are absolutely no definitions. It assumes you have a least two letters (in any position) in ANY 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 letter word and then proceeds to give you ALL possible combinations of words (answers) that would fit with the letters you already have.
   
   For example...If you had a seven-letter answer with the second letter being H and the sixth letter being C, and appearing on your crossword page as *H***C*, this book will suggest the words CHALICE and PHYSICS, the proper names EHRLICH and SHYLOCK, and the phrase THIN ICE as possible answers.
   
   To help make to make things easier, all letter combinations are listed alphabetically; this listing method allows you to quickly find the letters you have and their positions within a word quickly. For example, all the four letter words using the letters A and B would be initially listed under AB**, then A*B*, then A**B, then *AB*, *A*B etc. until all A & B combos were exhausted. And so on with all the rest of the letters in the alphabet.
   
   The only daunting thing about this system is that the number of possible combos for some of the potential answers can be VERY extensive. So, it really helps in some cases (especially with six and seven letter words), to have more than just two letters available, as this will narrow your search down significantly. It becomes obvious that the more letters you have to start with, the smaller and easier the search required.
   
   As you might imagine, some of the words listed as possible answers can be very unfamiliar looking. So to try to help this situation, the authors have developed a 'Glossary' (at the end of this book) that has 24,000+ words in it; words initially found in the main answer section. Each of these words, has a short definition to help explain the meaning of these 'unfamiliar answers', to help you determine if the word fits your crossword definition. A very useful and helpful feature.
   
   Only one minor concern...this book is big (1269 pages) and heavy; toting this volume around is cumbersome to say the least.
   
   Conclusion:
   This book offers the potential solution to many tough crossword clues if your regular definition dictionary is unable to do the job. The only caveat is that you do have to have at least two letters in the word that is giving you trouble; but with this minimum information this book will be a definite asset. 5 Stars.
   
   P.S.
   This book could be classified by crossword puzzle purists as unfair or even cheating in obtaining help for some clues, however, if you've reached the end of the line in some 'obscure' definition, this book will very likely be able to give you the assistance that you need.



3. Nice thick book. Not a million crossword definitions. If you like puzzling with numbers and letters this is it. Opened it and very disappointed. Makes a nice base to set a flower plant pot on.



4. Because I like working crossword puzzles this book is a big help with the really tough ones.



5. I bought this book thinking it was a newer updated publication of A DIFFERENT book I have (wih a VERY SIMILAR NAME). Published in 2004 by the same authors, THE MILLION WORD CROSSWORD "DICTIONARY" has tons of hard to find celebrites, brand names & movies. I love THAT book, and it may actually be the book you are seeking. This book's title is THE million word CROSSWORD "ANSWER BOOK" - and is large awkward book that helps you find a word by "missing letters". Quite frankly, I have an ELECTRONIC crossword puzzle solver that does the same thing in less time and is MUCH EASIER to use. They're small, light, handy, and most electronic versions also spell and unsramble. Trust me, if this IS the type of crossword help you are really looking for, buy an electronic solver instead. If you want answers to clues, buy the MILLION WORD CROSSWORD "DICTIONARY" version.

No comments about The Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 8: 50 Challenging Cryptic Crosswords (Crossword).

1 comments about The New York Times Weekend in the Country Crossword Puzzles: 200 Relaxing Puzzles (New York Times Crossword Puzzles).

1. This is my review of "Weekend in the Country Crossword Puzzles."
   
   When I retired three years ago after 45 years of working, I got serious with solving crossword puzzles. From my local newspaper I solve five easy puzzles every week, along with three large, complex puzzles. I save extras of the complex ones to work on again in three or four months.
   
   But it's never enough puzzles! So, I buy puzzle books now. Not just ANY puzzle books, either! Will Shortz has provided us with many wonderful crossword puzzles in The New York Times as well as in books that we can buy and take on trips with us. So it is with me! I have two of his special crossword books and the latest one is "Weekend in the Country Crossword Puzzles" published by The New York Times. There are 200 puzzles in this book. It is filled with a variety of puzzles according to their difficulty in solving. The categories are keyed with stars. The "Monday" puzzles are the easiest with one star. "Tuesday" puzzles are keyed with two stars--Wednesday, 3 stars, Thursday, 4 stars, Friday, 5 stars, and finally on Saturday, 6 stars. And yes, the 6-star puzzles are really hard to solve.
   
   I highly recommend this crossword puzzle book to all serious and not-so-serious crossword puzzlers out there.

2 comments about Mensa Big Book of Acrostics (Mensa).

1. this was just the right of challenge, very hard but with a minimum of frustration. I have found this best of these books that I have had and I have had many! Thank you so much for getting me through a broken back and pneumonia! Shane



2. Great book - quite informative, but (and not to say "gotcha!")
   found an error in puzzle #44. Let's see if you can find it. [...] if you've missed it.
   
   Jim Leeds
   Much-Published
   Crossword Constructor

2 comments about Amazing Crosswords for Kids (Mensa).

1. TRIP PAYNE HAS DONE IT AGAIN. HE CREATES SUCH FANTASTIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR SMART KIDS, AND FOR ADULTS, I'M 65. SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE NACK FOR WORKING HARD CROSSWORD PUZZLES, BUT NOT ME. I HAVE PROBABLY ALL OF TRIP PAYNE'S PUZZLE BOOKS. THEY ARE OF EVERYDAY WORDS, THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS, AND GIVES YOU THE FUN OF WORKING CROSSWORD PUZZLES, AND KEEPS YOUR BRAIN ACTIVE. I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL AGES.



2. What a terrific idea for kids who -thanks to these crossword books- have a different kind of fun... without having their face glued to a computer screen all day!

3 comments about The Scrabble Word-Building Book: Updated Edition.

1. Great book with many great clues and the 2 and 3 letter word sections are great for all scrabble players !! Highly recommend



2. This book is great for adding one letter to an existing word to make a new word, but is limited to adding one letter. A good addition to a scrabble dictionary, nonetheless.



3. So happy to have an updated version of this to replace my worn out copy. We use this book as a standard for all our favorite word games: Scrabble, Triversity & Quiddler.