The first page I flip open to in any newspaper I pick up is the crosswords (and/or Sudoku). With electronic news more prevalent than ever, the crosswords are becoming a major incentive in buying newspapers in their print versions. Certainly, as all of you who have attempted crosswords before would agree, solving crosswords with pen and paper is much more satisfying and convenient that sitting in front of a screen doing the same task. For everyone who is on-the-go, crosswords and puzzles offer an easy, enjoyable way to pass the time – all while exercising the brain and then some.

If you are an avid crossword puzzle solver (a “crossworder” we shall say), I have no doubt that you’ve bought or have considered buying crossword books in the past. Instead of getting only one crossword a day and waiting until the next day for the results, carrying a book seems much simpler. There are numerous crossword puzzle books out there. But this review does not focus on these puzzle books. In fact, I will go as far as saying that those books are often expensive. For example, a NY Times quality crossword puzzle book with approximately 200 puzzles can run up to $15.

When my love for crosswords could not be satiated by the daily NY Times column, I went to books. At the end of the month, when the bill came, I realized that I had to search for a cheaper solution to get my fix while not sacrificing quality and difficulty of the crosswords.
 
The result of my search is the Collector’s Crosswords Magazine.


Logistics

Collector’s Crosswords publishes 12 Magazines per year. The regular cover price is $47.50 for 12. However, there are often special deals on the Internet that give 20% to 60% discounts – I got my one-year subscription for $20 last September. Essentially, each issue only costs me $1.67.

Each issue contains about 120 Sunday-sized crossword puzzles. After receiving several copies, I’ve realized that there is no way to actually finish all the puzzles in one issue before the next one arrives – unless, that is, you finish four or more puzzles every day of the month. Therefore, I have set forth in going about the issues in the order I received them, trying to finish the earlier issues one by one before I tackle the newer, more recent bunches. It is important to note the extreme “bang for your buck” by subscribing to Collector’s Crosswords. An issue costing $1.67 with 120 puzzles is much cheaper than a book costing up to $15 with 200 puzzles.

I am even considering renewing my subscription for another year and then stop the subscription. I foresee 24 issues and 120 puzzles in each lasting me quite a while (that’s 2,880 crossword puzzles).

Each issue features puzzles with a different theme. Also, each crossword puzzle is rated on a one to three star difficulty scale. In general, I have found these puzzles to be on par with the difficulty of the puzzles found in the NY Times from Monday to Wednesdays. In essence, they are challenging, but still accessible for those who have an interest and want to try it out.


Possible Improvements

In the many years of solving crossword puzzles, I have never come across columns that give advice on how to solve them more efficiently. Such a column would most likely generate interest for aspiring “crossworders” and help veterans brush up on their techniques. While general knowledge helps, some advice couldn’t hurt either.


Final Thoughts

Collector’s Crosswords is a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to get their hands on high quality, challenging, but accessible and cheap crossword puzzles. Amidst the growing popularity of expensive crossword puzzle books, Collector’s Crosswords offers a viable alternative that is light and convenient to use.


This is my Magazine Subscriptions entry into the Around Epinions In 80 Days Write-Off.

Recommended: Yes