Sunday Puzzles

by Will Shortz, Liane Hansen (Performer)

Portable, enjoyable hands-free puzzles from longtime NPR Puzzlemaster Will Shortz and special guests.

Will Shortz believes that “we’re living in the golden age of puzzles now . . . puzzles have never been better.” He should know. Shortz has been crossword editor of The New York Times since 1993 and NPR puzzlemaster even longer, challenging Weekend Edition Sunday listeners with on-air puzzles since the program’s start in 1987.

This collection features Shortz and NPR host Liane Hansen in stimulating conversation, guiding listeners through puzzles filled with creative wordplay. Programs include the one before Shortz’s appearance on The Simpsons (with prizes announced by Mr. Burns and Smithers, voiced by Harry Shearer), Hansen’s birthday show (her children read the list of prizes), and two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks as a mystery guest who sticks around to help the delighted contestant.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Will Shortz is an American puzzle creator, best known as the longtime crossword editor for The New York Times. A pioneer in his field, he holds the only known degree in enigmatology, earned at Indiana University. He began constructing puzzles in his teens and pursued his passion professionally with roles at Penny Press and Games magazine before joining the Times in 1993. Shortz founded the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and co-founded the World Puzzle Championship. His puzzles and books have reached wide audiences, and he is also the voice behind NPR’s Sunday Puzzle. A dedicated table tennis player, he co-founded a major club in Pleasantville, New York.

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

_____ Amigos
_____ Men and a Baby
_____ Musketeers
_____ star review!

I really enjoyed these snippets from NPR's Sunday Puzzles with Will Shortz. This was way too short, I would have loved to have a much longer collection to listen to and play along with.

[Kelly Whitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s really short but even so this would have been fun to listen to on a car ride with someone else and compete to solve the puzzles.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

These NPR "audiobooks" are great little packages. I especially liked this one-- I would listen to a compilation of every Sunday puzzle, if it were offered. I did try to listen to NPR in the car for about a week a few years ago, and the constant world news-- all of it bad-- made me super despondent and grouchy. Science news, thinking puzzles, and the occasional puppy story would be more my scene.

Highly recommended.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun on my commute. Too short though.

[Kyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun & fast; would be good for commuting.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually did give it a second listen. I think I may use some of these as bellringers in my classroom.

August2020 Shrug.

I don’t know what I expected, but this was a collection of several notable episodes on the weekly NPR show. Nothing else, nothing less. Since it’s puzzles, it won’t get a second listen. But I enjoy the show on NPR when I get a chance to listen.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to like about the Sunday puzzler? :)

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great listen to on the bus.