“Crossword puzzles stimulate and exercise neural pathways that may not be normally used as part of daily functioning,” says Dr. Spencer Kroll, a board-certified internal medicine physician practicing in Marlboro, New Jersey, and crossword puzzle enthusiast. “Most people perform the same routines from day to day, and the addition of crossword puzzles as well other word and number puzzles can help the mind with recall, cognition, and focus.” And while crossword puzzles are readily available online, there’s nothing like putting pen (or pencil) to paper and sitting down with an endless (or at least substantial) supply of crossword puzzles at your fingertips. That’s where crossword puzzle books come in—and there is no shortage of options. To help you find the right one, here are the best crossword puzzle books. —Dr. Spencer Kroll, a board-certified internal medicine physician practicing in Marlboro, New Jersey, and crossword puzzle enthusiast
Size of Print
There is no “standard” size for a crossword puzzle, nor are there any additional benefits to doing a teeny tiny one you have to squint at to read and complete. Make it easy on yourself and make sure you’re actually able to read the text of the book. If a book contains puzzles with large print, that’s usually indicated in the title. But other than that, it’s the Wild West of font size—not to mention that a single book could contain puzzles of varying sizes. If you’re shopping online and can’t page through the book, check out the online reviews to see if any previous customers provided any insight.
Topic
While there are plenty of crossword puzzle books that feature a wide range of topics, there are others that focus on a specific set of knowledge—like food, a period in history, or a particular TV show. It’s not that one topic is better than the others, but it is something to consider when making a selection.
Physical Characteristics of the Book
Where do you plan on doing most of the crossword puzzles? If it’s on the train during your commute or during any type of travel, you’re probably better off with a more compact and lightweight book. If you want something for at-home-use-only, get the crossword tome of your dreams. Also, pay attention to binding: it’s typically much easier to work in a book with spiral binding than one that’s traditionally bound and constantly closing on you while you’re mid-puzzle.
What Experts Say
“Just as physical exercise keeps your body fit, new activities for the mind help keep memory loss at bay. There have been studies that have looked into crossword puzzles and mentally engaging activities seen to improve the cognitive reserve, and there is some indication that they may decrease neurodegeneration.” —Dr. Patricio Espinosa, chief of neurology at Baptist Health’s Marcus Neuroscience Institute “Measurements of spatial working memory, verbal reasoning, reaction time, and attention were all assessed in these studies,” says Dr. Spencer Kroll, a board-certified internal medicine physician practicing in Marlboro, New Jersey and crossword puzzle enthusiast. “Puzzle-solvers showed significantly better performance across all cognitive domains compared to those who never used them, and measures of attention were highest in the people who did puzzles most frequently.” According to Kroll, puzzles that utilize constructional insight—like interlocking words, numbers, and missing cues—seem to be superior for cognitive issues. This suggests that for some, puzzles like crosswords and sudoku may be superior to jig-saws and word-finds. The good news is that there are many ways to help improve your memory and sharpen mental acuity. “Crossword puzzles, in particular, work to challenge the mind more than usual,” Espinosa explains. “They can increase the cognitive reserve—that’s the ability of the brain to improvise and find new ways to find information—and can also help neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the neurons to make new connections. Therefore, by building these connections and reserves, cognitive decline can be prevented or delayed." But simply having cognitive benefits aren’t enough: puzzles also have to hold a person’s attention and interest in order for them to continue to use them—and that may mean branching out from crossword puzzles. “I tell my patients to buy cognitive engaging activities, such as crossword and sudoku puzzles, as well as engage in art, listen to music, participate in cooking classes, visit museums and attend concerts,” Espinosa says. “While crossword puzzles may be good, they are not for everyone. It is important to find a cognitive engaging activity that is enjoyable.” Lastly, if you’re not in a situation where you can carry a book around, there are plenty of computerized brain training games out there, including many apps for crossword puzzles, sudoku, and other brain teasers, Kroll explains.
Why Trust Verywell Mind?
As a seasoned health writer and editor with a special focus on mental health and well-being, Elizabeth Yuko understands how powerful stress-relieving activities can be for many people — as well as the fact that they’re not one-size-fits-all. With decades of first-hand experience dealing with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she’s always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with stress and other mental health challenges.
