We’ve got a few from last week in addition to faves from this one; happy solving!
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 solved that 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!
Outside The Box: ($) going too far (9/9) by joon pahk. A week late, but I’m always excited to see one of my favorite variety puzzle types. Highly recommend subscribing to Outside the Box (which just started its new year) if you’re interested in puzzles that make you think in new and different ways. —Rich
xwords by a ladee: i will wait for the next time (9/16) by Brooke Husic. Tough but beautiful, with one of the most stunning grid designs I’ve ever seen. —Rich
Universal: My Two Cents (9/19) by Amie Walker & Geoffrey Schorkopf. Make a reference to my neck of the woods or to my favorite animal, and you’ll win me over. Despite my bias, Amie and Geoffrey have constructed a fun theme making for an easy and enjoyable solve. – Jac
Los Angeles Times: (9/20) by Will Pfadenhauer. Even with solving the theme revealer, it still took me a couple of extra minutes to catch onto the wordplay at work. Once it clicked in my head, I was thoroughly impressed. – Jac
Los Angeles Times: (9/19) by Nancy Stark & Will Nediger. Some may say that many crosswords are cut from the same cloth, but the tapestry of this puzzle and its short story are quite the delight. – Jac
Universal: Unexpected Arrivals (9/16) by Amanda Winters. As a fellow crossword constructor, I’m rather jealous at how Amanda found these theme entries. I would love to see a sequel puzzle that continues to use this theme as just one crossword isn’t enough. – Jac
Universal: East and West (9/9) by CJ Tan. A fun and cute theme that’s so subtle that I almost missed it until the revealer. – Jac
New York Times: (9/20) by Jackson Matz. Good long stuff, appealing grid shape. I liked it. – Matt