A Hundred Dell Crossword Puzzles!
Written: Sep 24 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: portable digest-sized magazine, 100 crosswords in each issue, variety of solving levels
Cons: only crossword puzzles (look elsewhere for puzzle variety)
The Bottom Line: Inexpensive puzzle entertainment that is easy to carry and doesn't rely on batteries.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Dell Pocket Crossword Puzzles |
I love puzzle books and magazines. A favorite is crossword puzzles, so at any given time you will find a copy of Dell Pocket Crossword Puzzles magazine in my possession.
Description
This magazine measures 8 3/4” high x 5 7/8” wide and contains 130 pages. There is no Table of Contents or Index. The magazine has crossword puzzles (and only crossword puzzles) labeled by number (ex: 1, 5 or 100). Most of the crosswords are on one page with about a dozen puzzles covering a two-page spread. The answer to each puzzle is at the back of the book.
The front and back covers are in color. The rest of the pages remind me of newspaper-type paper, only a better quality. All the pages are printed in black ink.
Note that there is some very minor advertising in the magazine. It usually centers around buying puzzle books or other types of puzzle magazines. Sometimes an advertisement will feature some form of education.
My Experiences
I like that this magazine is small. The size makes it portable, easy to slide into a totebag, large purse, computer carrying case, luggage, large pocket or even place in a car glove compartment. Since the magazine is soft-sided, I can fold the covers back for a firmer writing surface. The black ink in these books is good, too. Only when handling the magazines for any length of time do I notice black on my fingers.
When doing crossword puzzles, I always use ink. I prefer the dark writing of ink compared to pencil. In the Pocket Crosswords magazines, I have written the answers using blue and black ballpoint as well as blue and green gel pen. None of these inks has seeped through the pages. The blue gel pen ink is a bit more visible from the back side of the page than the other inks, but it does not bleed through the page.
Some people might find it disconcerting that no skill level label is applied to each crossword. The magazine does not label the puzzles: Easy, Medium, Hard. However, the magazine does have crossword puzzles for a variety of skill levels. The front of the magazine starts with easy puzzles, and as the pages are turned, the puzzles become increasingly difficult.
While most of the crossword puzzles are traditional in style, some of the puzzles are fashioned into geometric patterns other than a square. There are also a few puzzles in each issue that follow a theme: Bible crosswords, puzzles featuring TV or movie themed answers, and cryptic crosswords (more complicated than a regular crossword puzzle!). The themed puzzles are definitely in the minority, though.
The Clues
This crossword puzzle magazine is aimed for adults. While some of the puzzles are easy, they are not for young children. Also, for those who enjoy the New York Times crossword puzzles, this magazine will not offer an extreme difficulty level. The print is medium sized. I find it easy to read, and the squares offer plenty of room to write the answers to the clues.
Here is a sample of some of the clues with their answers:
Easy Level
Clue: Male Sheep (Answer: ram)
Clue: Trot or Gallop (Answer: gait)
Clue: Dorothy’s Dog (Answer: Toto)
Clue: Paid Athlete (Answer: pro)
Clue: Fleeting Fashions (Answer: fads)
Medium Level
Clue: Use a Word Processor (Answer: type)
Clue: Word on Doormat (Answer: welcome)
Clue: Eagle Feature (Answer: talon)
Clue: Polka Follower (Answer: dot)
Clue: Handed Out Cards (Answer: dealt)
Hard Level
Clue: Bring to a Higher Plane (Answer: elevate)
Clue: Hand-woven Scandinavian Rug (Answer: rya)
Clue: Paces for Platers (Answer: gallop)
Clue: Aimed For (Answer: desired)
Clue: Ultimate Offering, Often (Answer: dessert)
At the bottom of each crossword puzzle is the page number where the puzzle’s solution can be found.
Pricing
The per issue cost is $2.99 in the United States and $3.79 in Canada. According to the inside of the magazine, a year subscription (12 issues) in the United States costs $35.88, and is $45.88 in other countries. Purchasing a subscription from the Dell magazines website is less expensive.
Summary
I purchase individual copies of this magazine at my local pharmacy or department store whenever I need more crossword puzzles to solve. This issue is just about done, so I’ll be picking another one up soon! I like the size of this magazine as well as the variety of puzzles in it.
I hope you found this review helpful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Approved Variety Puzzles Plus Crosswords (magazine)
Family Variety Puzzles and Games (magazine)
Tournament Variety Puzzles Plus (magazine)
Master’s Variety Puzzles Plus (magazine)
Sudoku and More! (magazine)
Pogo.com (online games)
Mahjongg Master Deluxe Suite (software)
Hoyle Card Games 2007 (software)
Puzzle Master Deluxe Suite (jigsaw puzzle software)
Copyright 2007 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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