Flexing your grey matter is super important, and it only becomes more important as time goes on. Whether you are in for a light diversion for your downtime, or you want to shake the dust off your brain, puzzle books are a great way to get sharp and stay sharp. If you're just getting into puzzle books based on your love for puzzles in general, or from related hobbies you enjoy like reading a fun murder mystery novel or playing murder mystery board games, there's a problem-solving or solution-driven puzzle book perfect for you to dive into next.
There are hundreds of books out there and different types of puzzle-based books—(we'll discuss more below), so before you jump in, know we focused our list on just the classic puzzle books here. From mystery stories and whodunnits to the popular New York Times crossword and everything in between, we put together a list of our 10 favorite puzzle books to help you take your thinking to the next level.
This puzzle book from Rockridge Press has 146 pages and a variety of puzzles, from cryptograms and sudoku to crossword puzzles and word searches, and more. If you wanna grab a good, all-around puzzle book, this is a solid pick.
With over 540 sudoku puzzles to enjoy across four different difficulty levels, from Warm-Up all the way to Samurai Sudoku, this 384-page, spiral-bound book is just what the doctor ordered for your sudoku needs.
For a more relaxing time doing puzzles (and a few more types of activities besides), the Fun and Relaxing Adult Activity Book is a solid choice. At 152 pages long, it has coloring pages, word search, shadow finder, spot the difference, sudoku, crosswords, mazes, trivia, and a lot more. It's pretty wild.
The most well-known of all the ongoing crossword segments is the one published in the New York Times, and right now you can grab 200 different crosswords ranging from easy to hard, making it a great pick up if you want to stretch your brain a bit.
Montague Island Mysteries tackles a single mystery story over a number of different puzzles, including different types, each leading you closer to the solution. While this one is intended for readers 14 and up, the challenge is considerable, so bring your most powerful little grey cells.
Word Search is a true classic puzzle type (and it's always been a favorite of mine). This 105-page book has 200 different themed puzzles in large, 18-point type to reduce eyestrain and just let you enjoy yourself.
I Spy is a classic game, and for very good reason. Looking around environments, trying to spot specific things is a great way to sharpen your perception, and this book has 32 pages of animal-themed goodness for young readers to do just that.
With over 20 different types of hidden picture puzzles, this 144-page volume from Highlights has tons of hide-and-seek action for kids. It's recommended for kids roughly 6 and up.
This Highlights Ultimate Puzzle Challenge book has over 125 puzzles, including hidden pictures, word searches, mazes, sudoku, and a whole lot more, which makes it a great all-around book for kids. 256 pages of puzzle goodness.
For kids roughly 8-11, this book has brain teasers, logic puzzles, crosswords, and more. Develop logical reasoning skills with 100 increasingly difficult puzzles over 126 pages.
Although we focused our list on a variety of classics for both kids and adults, there are so many subcategories when it comes to puzzle books, (aka brain games). Whether you're looking for an interactive experience like solving murder mysteries or riddles, or want more of a challenge through logic puzzles and mathemetical puzzles, there are puzzle activity books and even "book games" you can explore; including word puzzle games.
With many books giving you the option to solve alone or in groups, you can find something relaxing for your personal downtime, or something difficult and fun to keep a group entertained. Outside of the simple, reliable options like word search and Sudoku with endless pages and puzzles to carry on forever, you may be looking for a challenge or something new at some point. The good news is there's something for everyone, and usually a whole series to explore if you're the type to go through puzzle books quickly! If you really enjoy a specific mystery-style puzzle book, there may be more in that same series to look forward to, such as the books below; Journal 29 and Almanaq Puzzlehunt Books.
So...what are your favorite puzzle books? For more adventures via books and puzzles, also check out the Best Puzzles for Adults, the Best D&D Books, Best Fantasy Books, Books Like Harry Potter, and Best Mystery Books to read.
Brian Barnett writes reviews, guides, features, & more for IGN & GameSpot. You can get your fix of his antics on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Bluesky, & Backloggd, & check out his fantastic video game talk show, The Platformers, on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
Continue reading...
There are hundreds of books out there and different types of puzzle-based books—(we'll discuss more below), so before you jump in, know we focused our list on just the classic puzzle books here. From mystery stories and whodunnits to the popular New York Times crossword and everything in between, we put together a list of our 10 favorite puzzle books to help you take your thinking to the next level.
The Ultimate Brain Health Puzzle Book for Adults
This puzzle book from Rockridge Press has 146 pages and a variety of puzzles, from cryptograms and sudoku to crossword puzzles and word searches, and more. If you wanna grab a good, all-around puzzle book, this is a solid pick.
The Big Book Of Sudoku
With over 540 sudoku puzzles to enjoy across four different difficulty levels, from Warm-Up all the way to Samurai Sudoku, this 384-page, spiral-bound book is just what the doctor ordered for your sudoku needs.
The Fun and Relaxing Adult Activity Book (Puzzles & More)
For a more relaxing time doing puzzles (and a few more types of activities besides), the Fun and Relaxing Adult Activity Book is a solid choice. At 152 pages long, it has coloring pages, word search, shadow finder, spot the difference, sudoku, crosswords, mazes, trivia, and a lot more. It's pretty wild.
The NYT Crosswords for a Long Weekend
The most well-known of all the ongoing crossword segments is the one published in the New York Times, and right now you can grab 200 different crosswords ranging from easy to hard, making it a great pick up if you want to stretch your brain a bit.
Montague Island Mysteries (& Other Logic Puzzles) Volume 1
Montague Island Mysteries tackles a single mystery story over a number of different puzzles, including different types, each leading you closer to the solution. While this one is intended for readers 14 and up, the challenge is considerable, so bring your most powerful little grey cells.
Orochim 2023 Large Print Word Search
Word Search is a true classic puzzle type (and it's always been a favorite of mine). This 105-page book has 200 different themed puzzles in large, 18-point type to reduce eyestrain and just let you enjoy yourself.
For Younger Readers
I Spy Animals
I Spy is a classic game, and for very good reason. Looking around environments, trying to spot specific things is a great way to sharpen your perception, and this book has 32 pages of animal-themed goodness for young readers to do just that.
Best Hidden Pictures Puzzles Ever
With over 20 different types of hidden picture puzzles, this 144-page volume from Highlights has tons of hide-and-seek action for kids. It's recommended for kids roughly 6 and up.
Highlights Ultimate Puzzle Challenge
This Highlights Ultimate Puzzle Challenge book has over 125 puzzles, including hidden pictures, word searches, mazes, sudoku, and a whole lot more, which makes it a great all-around book for kids. 256 pages of puzzle goodness.
Perfectly Logical! Challenging Fun Brain Teasers & Logic Puzzles for Smart Kids
For kids roughly 8-11, this book has brain teasers, logic puzzles, crosswords, and more. Develop logical reasoning skills with 100 increasingly difficult puzzles over 126 pages.
Types of Puzzle Books
Although we focused our list on a variety of classics for both kids and adults, there are so many subcategories when it comes to puzzle books, (aka brain games). Whether you're looking for an interactive experience like solving murder mysteries or riddles, or want more of a challenge through logic puzzles and mathemetical puzzles, there are puzzle activity books and even "book games" you can explore; including word puzzle games.
Popular Puzzle Book Types
- Logic - no guesswork. Sudoku, nurikabe, and more.
- Word - crosswords, word search, word scrambles, and more.
- Visual - Maze, hidden pictures, and more
- Variety (a mix of puzzle types and activities all-in-one book)
With many books giving you the option to solve alone or in groups, you can find something relaxing for your personal downtime, or something difficult and fun to keep a group entertained. Outside of the simple, reliable options like word search and Sudoku with endless pages and puzzles to carry on forever, you may be looking for a challenge or something new at some point. The good news is there's something for everyone, and usually a whole series to explore if you're the type to go through puzzle books quickly! If you really enjoy a specific mystery-style puzzle book, there may be more in that same series to look forward to, such as the books below; Journal 29 and Almanaq Puzzlehunt Books.
So...what are your favorite puzzle books? For more adventures via books and puzzles, also check out the Best Puzzles for Adults, the Best D&D Books, Best Fantasy Books, Books Like Harry Potter, and Best Mystery Books to read.
Brian Barnett writes reviews, guides, features, & more for IGN & GameSpot. You can get your fix of his antics on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Bluesky, & Backloggd, & check out his fantastic video game talk show, The Platformers, on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
Continue reading...