We’re back with some recommendations, aiming to get more regular with these posts again.
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!
We shared a plug for the ORCAS in our most recent News & Notes, but if you mostly read in email, the gremlins got it, so we’ll reproduce it here. It’s basically a year-long, community-wide highlights effort that you don’t want to miss:
There’s something special about the 14th ORCAS.
Sure, we added five new awards (did someone say cryptics?) Yeah, the ballot contains 15 categories comprised of 124 nominations from 59 different outlets. But, this year, you can solve these spectacular ORCA-nominated puzzles in our first-ever puzzle pack!
All funds raised support The Trevor Project, a suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. Although suicide rates for LGBTQ+ youth are surging (39% seriously considered suicide in 2024), HHS terminated its contract for FY2026.
The puzzle pack includes 76 ORCA-nominated puzzles from 44 outlets plus five original puzzles from the Constructor of the Year nominees. Along with the puzzle pack, donors will receive early access to the ORCAS ballot, which will be posted publicly on February 3.
To make a donation, visit the ORCAS-specific donation page at The Trevor Project. Once your gift is confirmed, an access link will be displayed on the Thank You page. For any questions, email: theorcaawards@gmail.com.
Join us for the ORCA awards on Monday, February 23 at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET. Co-hosts David Kwong and Ophira Eisenberg will be live at https://www.youtube.com/@orcaawards along with T Campbell, Aimee Lucido, Laura Braunstein, Katie Grogg, Christina Iverson, Ben Tausig, Stella Zawistowski, Andy Kravis, Brad Wilber, Mangesh Ghore, Peter Collins, H. Kim Vu, Rafael Musa, Lynn Lempel, and more.
Do you want to know just how good it’s going to be? Check out this sneak preview.
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Defector: ($) The Crossword, Oct. 20: Pitch Perfect by Ben Zimmer. (10/20) – Norah
Lil AVCX: ($) Messy by Kameron Austin Collins (11/11) – Matt
Quite Vexing: “Halloweek” series by Quiara Vasquez (10/31) – Parker
Universal: ($) Press Clippings by Jonathan Raksin. (11/11) – Norah
The Wall Street Journal: Side Eyes by Zachary Edward-Brown (11/13) – Norah
AVCX: ($) AV Classic Themeless #85 by Amie Walker (12/3) Subtly clever clues around every corner and packed with fresh entries – Norah, Jess, Rich
Universal: ($) Go with the Flow by Derek Ruttan (12/3) Nice theme elegantly executed in a good debut puzzle – Norah
Real Puzzling Stuff: Satire + Scorekeeping (12/2) by Ryan Patrick Smith. Really neat grid shape that allows for impressive fill and plenty of tough but fun cluing – Norah
The New Yorker: Rough Copy by Mollie Cowger (12/15) Good practice for solvers trying to improve their theme recognition. -Will
Nautilus Puzzles: Uber Ultra by Ben Tolkin (12/22) A 45×45 behemoth that’s fun all the way through. – Matt
Ariadne’s Crossword Library: January 2026 Monthly Contest: “Are You Missing Something?” by Hannah Binney (1/1) Really clever literature-based meta. – Steve
Fireball: ($) Atomic Fireball by Daniel Bodily and George Barany (1/8) The first Fireball of each year is always a special one. – Matt
Puzzles That Need A Home: Pardon the Interruption by brian thomas (1/8) It’s been a minute since the last from PTNAH, and this themeless is predictably a joy. – Matt
The New Yorker: January 19 by Erik Agard. A couple clues here set the bar very high for the rest of the year. – Rich & Matt
Scientific American: Consciousness Carriers by Aimee Lucido (1/20) – Matt
Inteltainment: Themeless #157 by Stella Zawistowski (1/21) My favorite from Stella to date. – Matt
Universal: ($) Grid Over Troubled Water by Howard Neuthaler. – Matt
Newsday: Saturday Stumper by Ben Zimmer (1/17) – Matt
Bewilderingly: Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 by Will Nediger (1/26) A classically “Will” puzzle. – Steve & Matt
Crosswoods: Films for a Cozy Snow Day by Crosswoods (1/25) – Steve
Slate: Slate Crossword by Les Mots and Malaika Handa (1/25) A great medium-difficulty, fresh themeless. – Matt
Universal: ($) Amiss by Aidan Deshong and Adam Levav (1/28) Worth it, period, but especially if you’re gearing up for tournament solving. – Matt
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