What is in a puzzle book?

The options are endless. A puzzle book contains a collection of puzzles, either all of one type or a mixture of several. Popular types of puzzles include logic puzzles like Sudoku, nonogram, and Masyu; word puzzles like crosswords and word searches; and math puzzles.

Why are puzzles good for your brain?

Stimulating the brain helps to stave off the unwanted effects of aging. According to Shaheen Lakhan , MD, PhD, FAAN, physician-scientist, clinical development specialist, and Verywell Mind Review Board Member, “Finding the right balance of being challenged, but not defeated or bored, is hard to come by. Puzzles often afford us the ability to navigate these waters." Dr. Lakhan describes the brain as a “grand information processing center with circuits connecting different parts." The more of these parts we engage, the stronger, smoother, and more efficient those circuits are.

The 11 Best Puzzle Books for Adults of 2021

Keeping a sharp, quick mind is crucial as you age—not only for your well-being but for the sake of your family and friends. Unfortunately, things like forgetfulness, irritability, or an inability to multitask may occur naturally as individuals age. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to combat mental decline as you get older.

Activity experts have found benefits to "mind games," which are puzzles and games that focus on memory, problem-solving, and speed. Solving these problems may help you maintain a more youthful mind and sharpen your brain.

Adult puzzle books are beneficial for brain health—they also provide a form of screen-free entertainment, which is something that people of all ages are lacking.

To get you started, here are the best puzzle books for adults on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

The Master Theorem at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Beginner:

The 125 Best Brain Teasers of All Time at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Crossword:

The New York Times Monday Crossword Puzzle Omnibus at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Logic:

Tricky Logic Puzzles for Adults at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Math:

120+ Variety Puzzle Book for Adults at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Word Search:

Funster 500+ Word Search Puzzles for Adults at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Sudoku:

Oh My Sudoku! at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Variety Book:

399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Cryptograms:

On This Day at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Mystery:

Murder Most Puzzling at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Mind

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Uncommon Goods

Pros

Aesthetically pleasing
Unique
Hints available

Cons

"Escape room" style may not be for everyone

Thanks to its beautifully illustrated pages and unique puzzles, this book, filled with over 40 puzzles, has quickly developed a cult following. The puzzles channel a challenging "escape room" vibe that requires individuals to decrypt messages, solve brain-teasers, and use critical thinking skills to complete challenges.

The difficulty ranges from medium to hard, and the book is designed to keep the puzzle-solver busy for weeks. However, there are helpful hints on the back of the book to help with obstacles.

Price at time of publication: $30

Difficulty level: Medium to hard | Number of puzzles: 40+ | Style: Logic | Size: 7.5 x 10 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Pros

Variety of styles
Progresses in difficulty

Cons

Some may prefer a speciality book

If you’re looking for a puzzle book and don’t know where to start, this book of the 125 best brain teasers is a great option. Each puzzle describes the history of the style, some new fun facts, and challenges—giving your brain a multi-dimensional puzzle experience.

The difficulty of the puzzles gets harder as the book progresses, meaning you'll have the opportunity to advance your skills as you go. With over 200 pages of word problems, logic puzzles, and more, this book is a great starting option for all ages.

Price at time of publication: $13

Difficulty level: 5 challenge levels | Number of puzzles: 125 | Style: Variety | Size: 5.3 x 7.9 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Pros

Great for kids and beginners
Quality source

Cons

Only one difficulty level

The New York Times is known for its Sunday crosswords, but this puzzle book proves that Mondays can be just as fun. Filled with 200 Monday Times crosswords, this book includes fun challenges that aren't too difficult.

Edited by Will Shortz, the crossword editor of The New York Times, this puzzle book is appropriate for wordsmiths of all ages. Plus, if you finish this book, there are additional New York Times crossword books that follow.

Price at time of publication: $20

Difficulty level: Easy | Number of puzzles: 200 | Style: Crossword | Size: 8.47 x 10.92 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Pros

Variety of styles
Designed to be challenging for advanced players

Cons

Not beginner-friendly

This puzzle is intended for adults looking to expand their critical thinking prowess. Filled with 130 puzzles curated specifically to challenge your mental muscles, the book is designed to push your critical thinking skills to the max.

There are a variety of puzzle styles featured—Sudoku, Masyu, logic, grids, nonograms, and more—all of which are simple to understand but difficult to complete. Thanks to the diversity of styles, it keeps you on your toes so boredom won't become an issue.

Price at time of publication: $13

Difficulty level: Hard | Number of puzzles: 130 | Style: Variety | Size: 6 x 8.9 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Pros

Large print
Variety of puzzles

Cons

No hard-level puzzles

Created with the intent of sharpening adults' minds, this variety puzzle book boosts memory, creative thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. It includes 125 large-print puzzles, all containing a mathematical element such as number blocks or BODMAS equations.

These simple math refreshers are great for adults and seniors who want a classroom-like mental workout on their own terms, with puzzles beginning at an easy level and progressing to medium difficulty. Featuring large-print throughout, this book is easy for all ages to see.

Price at time of publication: $10

Difficulty level: Easy to medium | Number of puzzles: 125 | Style: Math | Size: 8 x 10 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Wide margins
Free online bonus puzzles

Cons

No set difficulty level

This award-winning word search book has over 500 puzzles to help you stay entertained for hours. Each puzzle varies in difficulty level and has a theme assigned to it, making it even more fun and memorable as you work your way through the book.

Aside from a creative angle, each puzzle includes at least 45 words to keep you entertained for hours. Thanks to the wide margins, you can easily tear out a page (each page contains two puzzles) and stow it in a purse or backpack for emergency entertainment. Additionally, the book provides access to free online bonus puzzles.

Price at time of publication: $13

Difficulty level: Varies | Number of puzzles: 500+ | Style: Word search | Size: 8.5 x 11 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Powells.com

Pros

Wide margins
Variety of difficulty levels

Cons

Two puzzles per page; font may be too small for some

For adults who are looking to advance their critical thinking skills with a classic Sudoku puzzle, this book is a great choice. It has over 1,000 puzzles that range from easy to hard, allowing individuals to advance their skills throughout the book.

Designed with wide margins, the book lets you easily tear out a page and take it with you for hassle-free on-the-go entertainment. A free downloadable Sudoku mastery guide is also available with the purchase of the book.

Price at time of publication: $12

Difficulty level: Easy to hard | Number of puzzles: 1,056 | Style: Sudoku | Size: 8.5 x 11 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Pros

Touches on six cognitive functions
Variety of puzzles

Cons

Thinner margins

This puzzle variety book—containing 399 puzzles that range from trivia to word games—will take your mental workout to the next level. The versatile puzzles vary in difficulty and are designed and curated with six cognitive functions in mind: long-term memory, working memory, executive functioning, attention to detail, multitasking, and processing speed.

This format ensures that adults moving through the book can work multiple brain functions, simply by completing the puzzles. Great for anyone over six years of age, the 420-page book enhances cognitive functions for a healthy mind.

Price at time of publication: $17

Difficulty level: Varies | Number of puzzles: 399 | Style: Variety | Size: 7.25 x 9.19 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Pros

Includes solution page
Hints available

Cons

No easy-level puzzles

Cryptograms are puzzles that consist of a short piece of encrypted text—requiring a cipher to solve the message. This book provides 365 days of cryptograms, and each one contains an interesting fact, which allows you to solve puzzles and learn new information at the same time.

Typed in an easy-to-read, 16-point print, the book's fun facts range from strange laws to origin stories. If you get stuck, each cryptogram contains five hints to help you solve the problem, making it a good choice for puzzle-lovers of all levels.

Price at time of publication: $13

Difficulty level: Medium to hard | Number of puzzles: 365 | Style: Cryptograms | Size: 8 x 10 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Uncommon Goods

Pros

Engaging plot lines
Variety of difficulty levels
Will make you laugh

Cons

Fewer puzzles than other books
Not suitable for children

Packed with 20 murder mystery puzzles, this book is for adults who love nothing more than to embark on a mysterious quest. Each puzzle contains a witty plot line, along with characters and descriptions to make the quest feel real.

The reader is cast as a faithful sidekick to an amateur murder investigator, and from there, works through a variety of dark, humorous puzzles. A great choice for adults, this one might be too mature for children.

Price at time of publication: $17

Difficulty level: Easy to hard | Number of puzzles: 20 | Style: Mystery | Size: 8.5 x 11 inches

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Bookshop.org

Pros

Large print
Hints available

Cons

Fewer puzzles than other books
Only one difficulty level

Sharpening the brain is a good practice for children, adults, and seniors alike. Filled with 100 large-print crossword puzzles, this book makes practical memory upkeep a simple (and fun) task.

Each puzzle is accompanied by clues to help the problem-solver move through the book with ease. The large print also makes it an optimal choice for individuals struggling to see smaller prints. While it's great for those wishing to polish their brain muscles, it might not be challenging enough for veteran crossword puzzle solvers.

Price at time of publication: $16

Difficulty level: Easy | Number of puzzles: 100 | Style: Crossword | Size: 8.5 x 9 inches

Final Verdict

“The Master Theorem Book of Puzzles” (view at Amazon) takes individuals out of a traditional puzzle book mindset, capitalizing on the entertainment and fun that puzzles can provide. Its beautifully designed pages and modern approach make it irresistible to puzzle-lovers and skeptics alike.

For people wanting a more classic puzzle, “399 Games, Puzzles, & Trivia Challenges Specifically Designed to Keep Your Brain Young” (view at Amazon) has a variety of puzzles, ranging in both style and difficulty level, that focus on polishing your cognitive function.

What to Look for in a Puzzle Book for Adults

Difficulty Level

Every puzzle book should be clearly marked with a difficulty level—many may increase in difficulty as you progress through the book. Choosing a puzzle that matches your skillset will ensure you are challenged without hitting a wall of frustration.

Number of Puzzles

In order to get the best bang for your buck, choose a book that has enough puzzles to keep you busy for weeks to come. The crossword in the Sunday paper is great, but it might not be enough to last the duration of a flight. Find a book with plenty of puzzles so you won’t have to buy another one tomorrow.

Style

Buying a puzzle book is not one size fits all, since there are a wide variety of puzzle styles on the market. Choose a style that’s appealing to you, whether it’s word problems or math equations.

Size

If you want an on-the-go option, you’ll need a puzzle book that can easily fit into your purse or backpack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a puzzle book?

The options are endless. A puzzle book contains a collection of puzzles, either all of one type or a mixture of several. Popular types of puzzles include logic puzzles like Sudoku, nonogram, and Masyu; word puzzles like crosswords and word searches; and math puzzles.
Why are puzzles good for your brain?

Stimulating the brain helps to stave off the unwanted effects of aging. According to Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN, physician-scientist, clinical development specialist, and Verywell Mind Review Board Member, “Finding the right balance of being challenged, but not defeated or bored, is hard to come by. Puzzles often afford us the ability to navigate these waters."
Dr. Lakhan describes the brain as a “grand information processing center with circuits connecting different parts." The more of these parts we engage, the stronger, smoother, and more efficient those circuits are.

Why Trust Verywell Mind

Long-time wellness enthusiast and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of tools that are designed to help you reach your wellness goals, both mental and physical. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product.