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        The Best Crossword Books for Holiday Puzzling

        GET A CLUE

        If you’re in need of some extra crosswords this year, I’ve got three book recommendations for you.

        Matt Gaffney

        Published Nov. 30, 2020 4:55AM ET 

        Rebecca Tulis

        Time to be thankful, and crossworders know how. French MERCI and German DANKE are frequent puzzle entries, while Japanese ARIGATO and Spanish GRACIAS are a little less frequent since they're seven letters long instead of slightly handier five. Chinese XIE XIE, with its cool-looking double X's, appeared in a New York Times puzzle earlier this month.

        In that spirit of thankfulness, let me share three book recommendations for the coming holiday season, presented in order of difficulty:

        75 Easy-To-Read Crosswords

        By Chris King. Moderately challenging crosswords from a much-admired constructor.

        Buy at Amazon$10

        Sex, Drugs, & Rock 'n' Roll Crosswords

        By Brendan Emmett Quigley. Hilarious and fun, as you might guess from the title.

        Buy at Amazon$14

        Devilishly Hard Fireball Crosswords

        Edited by Peter Gordon. The motto of Fireball crosswords is "How hard are these puzzles? If you have to ask, too hard for you." But they're great fun if you can stand the heat.

        Buy at Amazon$8

        Got a puzzle you're thankful for? Tweet it to #beastxword and I'll check it out.

        Play today’s puzzle and sign up for our weekly crossword newsletter on the bottom of the puzzle page.

        READ MORE ON CROSSWORDS

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