399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specially Designed to Keep Your Brain Young.

by Nancy Linde

Cross-train your brain. All it takes is ten to fifteen minutes a day of playing the right games. (It’s fun.)

Exercising your brain is like exercising your body—with the right program, you can keep your brain young, strong, agile, and adaptable. Organized on an increasing scale of difficulty from “Warm-up” to “Merciless,” here are 399 puzzles, trivia quizzes, brainteasers, and word game that are both fun and engaging to play, and are expertly designed to give your brain the kind of workout that stimulates neurogenesis, the process of rejuvenating the brain by growing new brain cells.

Target Six Key Cognitive

1. Long-Term Memory. 2. Working Memory. 3. Executive Functioning. 4. Attention to Detail. 5. Multitasking. 6. Processing Speed.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Games, Puzzles, Self Help, Trivia, Reference

1052 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2012

Reviews

[J.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a bit younger than the demographic for this book, many of the answers for the questions where quite a bit before my time so I never would have figured out the correct answer. However, the ones that I did know, I enjoyed. The book is fun and has all sorts of different games and puzzles and such to keep from getting stale.

[Victoria Foote-Blackman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderfully diverting, and flexible form of entertainment in that you can set the bar very high on the puzzles and exercises, or very low depending on your memory retention, nimble thinking, word association, and general knowledge. A wide variety of exercises and games for all tastes, and with varied illustrations. You can finish this "Work" book quickly, perhaps even in a matter of weeks, or linger over it, and allow it to take months to complete. Perfect for the older adult, especially one with a bit of free time on their hands, or for anyone who likes to challenge their knowledge and thinking skills, especially if you're stuck in an airport or immobilized in some way. In terms of education and background the questions are somewhat skewed to an older audience, someone at this time (2021) in their 70's, but there are enough other activities which pretty much any age group would enjoy; even children will enjoy participating in the "Find the Words" section in the various illustrated scenes. Also amusing to do with a partner and in a small group. Answer sheets in the back. Just plain old fun, and great for the synapses.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true joy! This helped get me through the long layovers at the airports and the train rides. The puzzles were thought-provoking and fun. Loved this one so much, I bought the 417 More Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges for my upcoming trip.

[Trey Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm way younger than the target demographic of this book. The majority of the pop culture references are well before my time but it has been great road trip entertainment for me and my wife.

[Michael Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Games to X-train your brain: for long-term memory, working memory, executive Fx, attention to detail, multitasking, processing speed. Lots of fun!

[Salena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love all of Nancy Linde’s puzzle books. I have done them all up to the most current book that was released August 27, 2024. They help keep my mind moving and young and I find the puzzles to be fun and entertaining. Are they the most difficult puzzles I’ve ever done? No. Are they unique? I’d say yes. The latest book, 440 games, puzzles and brain boosters specially designed to keep your mind sharp, is different than the other three books that she put out before. I actually like it a little bit more.

[Katie Reader Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute gem of a book. I will be ordering copies for my ageing parents and in-laws. The puzzles are fun and engaging. A fair few of the question are very America focused. I assume the author is American and this was her intended audience. Even so i believe my British family will still enjoy this book and benefit from it. I highly recommend this book for anyone with ageing parents or indeed if you want to give your own brain power a wee boost. Overall, fabulous book.

[Christy Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book to help pass the time while traveling! With a variety of difficulty ranges, our whole family was able to participate and found these brain games fun and, at times, thought provoking which led to some great discussions. A few of the historical questions even stumped my husband and I, so some things perhaps geared towards an older generation, but we learned some new facts along the way, so we felt it was perfect. This will be a trip favorite for many trips to come!

[L.B. Holding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite gifts from last Christmas. And I mean Christmas of 2020. Short term and long term memory games and exercises that were fun alone or together with my husband. Can you name a foreign city for each letter of the alphabet? Can you do it in two minutes? I did one game at a time, cover to cover, and I'm sure it helps in keeping that old brain in some sort of shape.

Thanks, Paige!

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun puzzle book to make your mind sharp.

[Jeanie Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely engrossing for those who love interactive challenges.

[Coletha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sent this one to Michael and I have to think of another title for him other than Nancy...but he really liked it!

[Julia Puckace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I had enjoyed the first puzzle book this author put out but it was not the same. The puzzles were different and just not for me.

[Angel Polskiina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not a 5 just because a few things were repetitive.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun but very simple. No real challenges to me but I thoroughly enjoyed doing these with my family

[Avery Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to play the games with my wife

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was helpful in keeping my mind active during chemotherapy. Some of the puzzles were definitely for older people, but it was still good and I can tell it’s helped stave off the chemo brain haze.

[Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great puzzles to keep your mind working properly. I did a couple of puzzles a day for a week. Some of the answers to the trivia questions I had no clue what the answer was. Here's an example: Who killed Robert Kennedy? How would I know!? This was before my time and I don't remember talking about it in my history classes. I would have to Google the answer!

[George Harrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grew out of the author's popular web site (http:/never2old4games.com) that provides games for activities people working with seniors in group settings. I developed a few of the trivia games for that site. The book is a much-expanded version for individuals that includes visual puzzles, word games and trivia questions that are geared to challenging specific parts of a person's brain (memory, cognition, etc). The range of games is amazing. I gave the book to two older siblings (normally not games players) and they each found a type of game that hooked them immediately. Besides exercising the brain, it's just fun...

[Kitty · Rating 2 out of 5]

My husband and I are working through these, hoping to stimulate the brain.
Some fun, some stupid and certainly geared to a "certain age group".

[Kim]

Good guide for Romaina