5 comments about Mensa Cryptic Crosswords 2 (Mensa).

1. There are 65 standard cryptics in this book. They all appeared in Canada's National Post. The entries are, by and large, fairly common words. The clues seem to be a little dumbed-down for a broad newspaper audience. This a pretty good collection of standard charades, obvious anagrams, and easy definitions. Few puzzles will take longer than 20 minutes to solve. You'll rarely have to check the answers, and then only for some obscure Canadian place name or celebrity. The "Mensa" title is a bit of a come-on. Emily & Henry's "Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords" is much more interesting. This one is, frankly:
   
   "As it is, having to to graft selvage is naive. (10)"



2. I wish I had read the reader review before I bought this book. The puzzles do, indeed, seem to have been "dumbed down." After the Atlantic Monthly compilation, which I adore, this is a great disappointment.



3. They definitely come harder than this - don't be scared off by the Mensa logo - but they are challenging and mostly logical. It's hard for many puzzle constructors to follow the loose rules of cryptic crosswords, but Cox and Rathvon do a good job - they're more predictable than British constructors and I think more consistent than average. As in their first book, they write these puzzles with half an eye toward America, even though they are first published in Canada. Thus the "dialect," so to speak, isn't difficult, and I've never come across anything unfamiliar even though I've only been to Canada for a grand total of two weeks.



4. As the name suggests, this is Mensa-quality challenge. You will do better with all distractions turned off and a couple of sharp pencils. The clues are completely fair, and there is a sense of accomplishment - even if you can't finish every square. I recommend this puzzle book to everyone who is not intimidated by wordplay.Mensa Cryptic Crosswords 2 (Mensa)



5. I discovered cryptic or "British" crosswords a few years ago. I've tried some of the collections published in England, but found the clues and references too specific to British culture and slang. I bought the first MENSA edition of cryptics several years ago, did the puzzles in pencil, have erased them and re-done them three times now. I'm pleased they've published a second edition. The cryptics published in the States (these from MENSA and one from the New Yorker magazine) are fun and challenging. If you are a crossword buff and consider yourself pretty good, I highly suggest trying these.

1 comments about Simon and Schuster Crossword Puzzle Book #254: The Original Crossword Puzzle Publisher (Simon & Schuster Crossword Puzzle Books).

1. I buy this book all the time.This edition is my latest and I have pre-ordered the next one.I find the puzzles challenging but not so hard that I lose interest.I peruse the themes of each one and look for favorites.Pleasantly surprised with the way the author connects the theme to answers and clues.The earlier editions (with 2 authors) were not as enjoyable so I always look for the editions by J. Samson alone.Keep them coming!!!!

No comments about The New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles Volume 9: 50 Monday Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times (New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles).

No comments about The New York Times Crosswords for a Relaxing Vacation: 200 Light and Easy Puzzles (New York Times Crossword Puzzles).

4 comments about Stanley Newman's Sitcom Crosswords (Other).

1. Stanley crossword puzzle books are so much fun. It's a great way to (not) watch television when your husband has the remote.



2. Its o.k. but the clues could be a little more clear or could even use a few more words to help solve the clue



3. I have enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed his others. My passion is TV and Movie crosswords so, this book was a great addition!



4. I like these crossword books because I have a chance of solving them on my own! Sometimes crosswords can be a bit too in depth.

3 comments about The New York Times Acrostic Puzzles Volume 8 (New York Times Acrostic Puzzles).

1. As a long-time solver and former constructor of acrostic puzzles, I find it difficult to find acrostics that can challenge me, but these do! They are considerably more challenging than the ones Middleton does for the Simon and Schuster series. I highly recommend them to experienced solvers.



2. These puzzles are extremely hard but they are clever and fun to do. I've only been able to do two so far without cheating ie: looking up the answers. They are tricky but I'm getting used to some of the tricks such as realizing that a single letter need not be an "a" or an "i" . And clues can have several different meanings and word forms -what looks like a noun can be a verb etc.For example a recent clue was "single" and I was trying to think of a word for unmarried or a one dollar bill. The answer was "one base hit."



3. Whether you're flying, lounging by the pool, stretched out on the couch or riding a bus, this little entertainer is right there for you.
   Each puzzle is contained on a single page and the spiral binding folds back on itself to provide a firm, page-size writing surface, so you don't need a lap-table or tray. Puzzles are challenging (after all, it IS the NY Times we're talking about) but a good search engine will prove invaluable.

5 comments about New York Magazine Crossword Puzzle Omnibus, Volume 1 (NY Magazine).

1. I wish this puzzle book would have been spiral-bound like Ms. Jacobson's previous regular volumes.



2. Maura Jacobson's puzzles are the best!!! She is too clever for words, pun intended.



3. I love the weekly crosswords and do them every week in new York magazine, but these are obviously older puzzles with more obscure references. I would recommed getting one of the newer omnibuses, like version 7.



4. We (my Husband andI) have been working Maura Jacobson Puzzles for years in both New York Magazine and her published crossword journals...we have never been disappointed and always cleverly challenged (a different topic for each puzzle)...me can't wait for the next Jacobson entry



5. Buying on Amazon is amazing. Everything I have ever ordered has come earlier than expected. My mom loves these crossword puzzles and it was part of a mother's day gift. OF COURSE i got it in time and NY Magazine puzzles are her favorite. Hope another version comes, have bought all 3.
   Thanks Again, love shopping on Amazon.

2 comments about Easy Spanish Crossword Puzzles (Dover Little Activity Books).

1. I do the puzzles on breaks at work. The answers are in the back should one not know the word. A dictionary of all the words used is in the back also, which is convinient.



2. A simple book for any age that can write and read - a fun way to keep Spanish vocabulary fresh. The only reason for four stars is that there's no phonetic spelling for the new words you may come across. My students do enjoy it, and always are happy to quiz themselves on "Spanish speed" with these books during class transition times.
   Sra. Gose
   Author of Spanish Fun Activity Calendar

No comments about TV Guide Crosswords Theme Puzzles: The Best Theme Crossword Puzzles from More Than 50 Years of TV Guide!.

1 comments about The New York Times Easy to Not-So-Easy Crossword Puzzle Omnibus Volume 1: 200 Monday--Saturday Crosswords from the Pages of The New York Times (New York Times Crossword Puzzles Omnibus).

1. The crosswords are seperated by days of the week. If you want something a little easier, start on Monday's pages. Looking for a challenging you can go straight to Friday and/or Saturday.