shelbyl's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
Jacobs once again turns the mundane into fascinating with his obsessive research and quirky way of thinking. Enjoyable listen. Though I think both audio and physical books have distinct advantages. He did a good job of including audio puzzles, but I will definitely look up the included pdf/and or buy the print version.
beardedbarista's review against another edition
5.0
Really fun read about puzzles! Thanks to PRHAudio for this complimentary audiobook!
I have been reading AJ Jacobs since his first book and he is always researching the most interesting things and always does an amazing job learning or embodying his research. I learned a lot about puzzles and a lot of them I had never heard of.
I have been reading AJ Jacobs since his first book and he is always researching the most interesting things and always does an amazing job learning or embodying his research. I learned a lot about puzzles and a lot of them I had never heard of.
sydneyjn's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
I learned a lot! And I immediately downloaded a crossword app.
katwhite1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
What a treat this book was! As an avid puzzle fan, I was absolutely enchanted with A. J. Jacobs’ deep-dive into the fabulous and diverse world of puzzles. I learned new facts about puzzles I already love and I was introduced to new puzzles that I’m eager to try. Definitely one of my favorites of 2023
chelstell's review against another edition
4.0
I love puzzles, so I am definitely the target audience. Some were definitely above my head, but cool to learn about still. I will definitely continue to work my way through the puzzles on the publisher’s website. While the puzzles can be tough, the narration was breezy to read.
thetarantulalounge's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
I chose The Puzzler for my guy book club meeting this month, and it did not disappoint. We did talk about the book at our meeting, but my favorite part of the discussion was an impromptu show-and-tell session. Items included a lock-picking learning kit (with a clear Master-style lock so you can see the pins move), a legal puzzle as told through state law and agency regulation, an authentic Japanese puzzle box from the 90s, and a painfully detailed step-by-step children’s story explaining the moves to solve a Rubik’s Cube (my fault).
That impromptu show-and-tell sesh demonstrated what I greatly enjoy about puzzles and games – how they bring out unexpected creativity and connections. That’s some good, clean fun. And they also teach us that we can do things we never thought we could do.
A.J. Jacobs covers those ideas and more in The Puzzler. Written mainly during the pandemic, the book explores what we get out of puzzles, the whacky obsessives (MY DREAM), and some broad genres of puzzles, including:
- Rubik’s Cube (and other twisty puzzles)
- Anagrams
- Jigsaws
- Maxes
- Math/Logic
- Ciphers and Codes
- Visual Puzzles
- Sudoku et al.
- Riddles
- Puzzle Boxes
- Scavenger Hunts
- Infinite Puzzles
Even if you don’t read this book, I hope you enjoy this definition of puzzles:
? → !
That definition is from Maki Kaji, often called the “Godfather of Sudoku.” The trick in life is to find contentment or joy or meaning in the arrow phase of doing. If we can do that, we’ve got it made. And that’s what puzzles teach us. (Also, spatial reasoning, sometimes.)
P.S. The whole back section of the book is a puzzle hunt – combo of mini puzzles feeding into a meta puzzle. Have fun!
dreamofbookspines's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I read a book by Jacobs over a decade ago and remembered enjoying it, which is what made me try this one. Love his witty style and the subject material was also hugely entertaining. Plus, puzzles!