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No doubt you've been thinking about getting some puzzly stuff for that special somebody in your life. I mean, who among us doesn't need more puzzles? Don't answer that, it's a rhetorical question. Besides, the answer is yes. We all do. Well, The Biz Quig doesn't disappoint, so here I am with a list of some new and noteworthy books and such that will brighten up the loved ones in your life.
For those that know me, know that I grew up in the Best Decades Ever ('80s and '90s, thanks for asking). So did my man Francis Heaney, and he had this brilliant idea of doing a whole damned book of puzzles about the '90s: "New Grids On The Block." I didn't write all the puzzles, but I was able to get three of them in there, as did a whole other slew of A-level talent. Think of this one as kinda sorta like "Drunk Crosswords," only, you know, not about boozing. More about, you know, one of the Best Decades Ever. Listen, I made a puzzle about Lollapalooza. That'll give you a decent idea of what the book will be like. Buy three.
If you're looking for more stuff with Brendan in it, there's "The Browser Cryptic Crosswords". I've got a cryptic in there, a lot of the rest of the book is hot stuff as well. But you knew I was going to recommend a cryptic book, didn't you? Then there's also Danielle Trussoni's "The Puzzle Master." It's a fun beach read about a mad puzzle solving genius solving crime. Danielle did some background research with me (and some guy named Will Shortz). I have a few smallish puzzles in there. So does Wei-Hwa Huang. For the readers in your life.
Speaking of reading, Quick shout out to David Bukszpan's "Crosswordese," a rather ridiculous, light-hearted anthology of stories about the standard answers that populate seemingly every grid. You know, crosswordese. Serious solvers know every darnfool entry in the book. Casual solvers can use them to catch up. Everybody can have a couple of laughs.
Here's an entry under the category of "why didn't I think of that?" Damon Gulczynski self-published an entire book of all of his rejected puzzles from the New York Times. Comedy is, they aren't bad puzzles in the slightest! They're really top notch. But you know, not everything you write can appear in the Gray Lady. Anyway, it's called "Will Must Send Regrets," and that is just a chef's kiss of a title (Narrator: it's one of Will's go-to shorthand rejection letters). So, yep, it's the total package, folks. Good puzzles and the stories behind them. Brilliant job. (This came out last year, but I just found out about this year, so let's pretend it actually came out in 2023, okay? Okay.)
Wordle continues to block the sun entertain untold numbers of people. Some of those people might be you. And if that's the case, why don't you pick up a copy of Peter Gordon's latest variant: "Word Solitaire." Peter's one of the hardest working men in puzzles, and if you're looking for some more puzzling, may I recommend his Fireball, and A-To-Z Petite Pangram subscriptions?
It's always fun to recommend stuff by my friends so here we go. In no particular order, we've got: Brooke Husic's "Simple Mini Crosswords, a stocking stuffer for the next generation of solver. How about Stella Zawistowski's "Tough as Nails Crosswords" to give that brain a real kick in the you know where. Eric Berlin dropped not one, but two books of his charming Puzzlesnacks. Think variety puzzles, only bite sized. Big on heart though. And lastly Francis Heaney (there's that name again) and Scott Weiss put out a rather ingenious "Escape Room Logic Puzzles," something for the girl with everything. Especially if that girl is into escape room kindsa stuff.
Don't forget there's always an option for yours truly to make a custom puzzle for your loved one/holiday party/whatever. Like I always say, it's the gift of a lifetime, unless you buy two. Email me, sooner than later, though, just to make sure I have enough time to hit it out of the park.
Looking for more puzzles? The Hub Crossword (Sunday puzzles by me and Joon Pahk) and Marching Bands year eight has begun. So if that To Do list needs even more puzzles, you know what to do.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday.
Brendan Emmett Quigley creates custom-made puzzles for all occasions: birthdays and bar mitzvahs, anniversaries and retirements. You name it. Need a puzzle for your website or your publication? He can do that, too.
Brendan's custom work clients have included The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, BeerAdvocate, Boston Magazine, De Beers, The Decemberists, ESPN, The Improper Bostonian, Lollapuzzoola, McSweeney's, Phish, Reflexive, The Smithsonian Magazine, St. Martin's Press, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, and Andrew Weil.
Call (617) 2-999-BEQ or click 
