Scroll on for our recommendations from the last week of puzzles!
Remember that this is not an attempt to pick the “best” puzzles, and we won’t be commenting as critics. Our approach is best described as “puzzles we don’t think you should miss.” Kind of like staff recommendations at a local bookstore.
Did we miss your favorites? Add them in the comments!
Universal Sunday: Backing Musicians (6/9) by Aaron Rosenberg – A cute Sunday theme with a musical bent that probably didn’t need a revealer, but nevertheless has a very satisfying one I didn’t see coming. – Will E.
Los Angeles Times: (6/12) by Rebecca Goldstein. A great theme, with the kind of great bonus entries you’d expect from Rebecca. – Will E.
New York Times: ($) (6/10) by Kareem Ayas. Rule breaking in the funnest way. – Norah
AVCX Classic: ($) I Swear! (6/12) by Hanh Huynh. Challenging but fair and a theme that couldn’t be more at home at AVCX. -Norah
Star-Crossed: Pet Projects (6/11) by Kiran Pandey and Puzzmo: Wanna Hang? (6/13) by kenny. Loved both of these midi themes. —Rich
xwords by a ladee: “you make a strong point” (6/13) by brooke husic. Stunning grid design, and the top stack (especially the clue for 17a) is 🧑🍳😘 . —Rich
Universal: Universal Freestyle 129 (6/15) by Amanda Winters. An unusual shape and a pleasant challenge a notch or two higher than Universal’s normal themeless difficulty. – Norah
The New Yorker: (6/17) by Natan Last. Brilliant, clever cluing alongside a grid showcasing a broad slice of culture. And a shout-out to the team at TNY for being the first (that I know of!) to run the entry at 5D. – Norah
Lil AVC X: ($) Have a Nice Day! (6/18) by Robyn Weintraub. What happy, delightful, perfectly Weintraubian puzzle. – Norah