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Looking for some crossword related gifts this holiday season? The Biz Quig’s got your back.
Normally one doesn’t read books about puzzles, but rather you know, solve whatever’s in the book. For those who enjoy more thoughtful discussions about all things crosswords (the whos, the hows, the whys, all of that other stuff), get yourself a copy of Adrienne Raphel’s “Thinking Inside the Box.” It’s a quick read and very informative, and this is coming from somebody who’s been in the field since the dinosaurs walked the earth. Yes, even I learned a few things. And yes, even I make a brief appearance here and there. Anyway, it’s a lovely book for the puzzle person in your life.
But, let’s face it, we all want puzzle books that we can destroy, scribble on, scribble over, and throw across the room in frustration. At least I like books like that. Hey traditional crossword lovers! Here’s a couple that make for fun gifts for the beginning puzzlers in your life. For the kids who spend too much time on screens, put Paolo Pasco’s book in between them and their iPad. Paolo is a kid himself … or at least was the last time I checked … Wait, I am wrong, he’s in college. But it only seems like he’s still a kid. Bright fellow too. Recommended for getting the new generation up to snuff. And for those intermediate level friends, they might like Tony Orbach’s book. Quality easy puzzles to get the beginning solver’s muscles toned. Tony’s a great guy, and you can impress whoever gets this book by telling him he played horns on the Beastie Boys’s classic “Licensed To Ill.” And for the NPR-loving set, how about the latest crossword collection of “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” inspired puzzles? Ably made by Christopher Adams and some guy named Brendan.
For those considering making the jump to cryptics, the time is right to get in the pool today. The water’s fine, you’ll like it in here. Start with this batch of WSJ cryptics from the maestros Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon. Look, they’re the gold standard, and if these won’t make you a superfan, then I don’t know what to tell you. Also worth a look is another batch of “Cryptic All-Stars,” which I have been slowly working my way through this fall. Slowly being the crucial word here as this volume is by far one of the harder collections they’ve done. But difficult doesn’t necessarily mean undoable. Support your independent puzzle publisher.
Logic puzzles? Why not. R. Wayne Schmittberger dropped the third in his elegant mystery series “Beyond Montague Island.” Fans of Games might remember Wayne’s name, and a flip through the pages will definitely remind you of that groundbreaking magazine. It’s all here. Another attractive lateral thinking book is “The Shipping Forecast Puzzle Book” by Alan Connor. A weird but engaging combination of general knowledge and map reading. I know, it’s a crazy combination, but trust me on it. And for my $0.02? The puzzle book I enjoyed solving the most this year was Nikoli’s “Genius Level Sudoku.” Listen, don’t front. We all watched the Cracking The Cryptic videos of that guy solving batshit insanely hard sudoku this year. You kinda sorta like sudoku, but are afraid to announce it. So if that describes you, these handmade classic puzzles are for you.
Now’s as good a time as any to help out other independent puzzlers. Here’s some people who are doing the Lord’s work: newcomers to the blogosphere Stella Zawistowski and Sid Sivakumar should be part of your regular solving experience. Laura Braunstein and her merry batch of women puzzlers are about to embark on year three of Inkubator. And of course there’s always the ever-expanding roster of pranksters in the AV club. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention (again) Joshua Kosman and Henri Picciotto’s lovely “Out of Left Field” cryptics.
Reminder, the 2020 drive is still chugging along. As always, the site remains free, but if you’ve been enjoying the puzzles, a small strictly-not-obligatory tip helps keep the site chooglin’ along. PayPal or Venmo (@TheBEQ) preferred. Two bonus 21xs are yours to all who can chip in. Thanks again to all who have been able to contribute. If you haven’t got your bonus puzzles yet, let me know. Long form appeal is here.
Still looking for more puzzles? The Hub Crossword (Sunday puzzles by me and Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon) and Marching Bands year six have begun Let me know you’re signing up for them in your email. So if that To Do list needs even more puzzles, you know what to do.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday.
Many thanks for the recommendation of “The Queen’s Gambit” last week. We just finished it last night, and it was super.
I just wanted to point out that I started with exactly the right Down answers to make “SCOUT’S HONOR” a plausible answer at 1-Across.
And I started at 55 Across with ON CLOUD NINE. š
Thanks, Brendan!
GLINDA or HOWARD, PLEASE go back and read a new comment on beq#1316. But soon after I made that comment the correctness of 45down hit me, but Iām still in the dark about 60across.
I agree 60A is a stretch to say the least. Maybe something like “NOR DO I” would be a better clue?
60A: A more obvious clue would have been: “I agree that I don’t agree” but who wants obvious clues? If you want it spelled out for you: “Expression of agreement to a negative statement”.
But c’mon guys, we don’t do BEQ puzzles to be spoon-fed the answers. We like him because he is playful. And when he is playful, he’s a little out there. It’s more of a challenge. I do the WSJ every day too (as well as the NYT) and the WSJ is B-O-R-I-N-G because the clues are designed for Wall Street guys who take everything literally.
As for 7D, submitting a manuscript *IS* one thing you’d use an agent for. And a lot (i.e. acreage) is often zoned.