Match wits with one of the country’s most popular crossword creators. Since his first puzzle was published in the New York Times when he was nineteen years old, the author has been challenging newspaper readers from New York to San Diego and Miami to Spokane. Offering the elegance and sophistication of the toughest daily crosswords yet remaining accessible to newcomers, these 72 puzzles will test your knowledge of history, pop culture, science, literature, sports, and more, as well as your ability to figure out clever themes. If you enjoy solving conundrums such as “What the Russians did in 1999” (10 letters), and “Jean-Claude Van Damme sits on the fence” (14 letters), these really clever crosswords are for you! Answers: PUTINPUTIN, BELGIANWAFFLES

With their distinctive folk-art covers and uniquely Canadian content, the 'O Canada Crosswords' books have garnered a devoted fan base of crossword aficionados from coast to coast. Kathleen Hamilton combines world references with clues reflecting a distinct Canadian cultural identity. Spellings are Canadian too, and the words are derived from our history, geography and pop culture. Books 2 to 5 have giant weekend-size puzzles for even more crossword fun.

Puzzles get fashionable with this sophisticated book from the Puzzle Society, in an irresistable package for any female puzzle lover. The 5-by-8 trim size offers puzzle fun with upscale styling.

Puzzle fans will welcome this second collection of crossword fun from Richard Silvestri! All crosswords have words...but some are sorely lacking in wordplay. Luckily, this collection has plenty: every theme and many of the clues are bursting with homophones, sneaky double-meanings, and other linguistic tricks. The crosswords have no obscure vocabulary, just clever and inventive themes that will keep readers guessing until they’ve filled in the very last square. Here’s just a sampling of what Silvestri has in store for solvers: What 12 letters mean "Turn down trash?” Why, REFUSE REFUSE, of course! There’s a ton of verbal calisthenics to keep every brain sharp.

Not for experts only. These four popularly priced helpings of puzzle fun come straight from the Los Angeles Times. Not only are these puzzles more mainstream than the ones in the New York Times, but each book has a whopping 72 crosswords -- not the mere 50 of competing volumes. And they're one dollar less than the competition, so you'll get more enjoyment for your money. The stay-open, lie-flat specially reinforced spiral binding makes it easier to work on the puzzles anywhere, too.

Featuring more than 250 favorite TV Guide crossword puzzles, this colossal collection is guaranteed to provide hours of mind-puzzling fun.

Take time out on Tuesday to tackle tricky brainteasers. These tough (but not too tough) crosswords will keep you on your toes and focused. While the clues arent giveaways, theres nothing here you cant handle, and the engaging themes include "X-Spelled," "Naval Maneuvers," "Identity Theft," and "Take a Load Off."