Joshua Glasgow’s Reviews > Minute Cryptic > Status Update

I keep getting stuck on puzzles, refusing to take hints, abandoning the book, coming back after weeks have passed, still being unable to figure out the answer, taking hints, finally getting the answer, moving on and getting a few more easily, then hitting another wall. I’m feeling less sure of my ability with these than I previously did. I’ve had to take hints on several now. 😖

The most recent chapters have increased in difficulty. I have used hints, but I’m still trying to limit myself to checking letters as those might appear in a full crossword. The one I’m stuck on now, and which I’m resisting taking hints for, is this: Compliments cook about coffee (8). This is in the “containers” chapter, so I assume “about” is a container indicator. I can’t figure the rest out.

I initially intended to try to do these puzzles at random but the first one I turned to stumped me. SO, I decided instead to treat it as what it is—a training book—and take it from the beginning, one page at a time. I’ve gotten hung up a few times and took time to think an answer through, but as of page 141 I haven’t had to use hints on any puzzle. Feeling proud about that.