What Are Some Good Books For Quizzes And Crosswords?

[AB Editor]

As the title says, do you have any recommendations for good books people can pick up for quizzes or crosswords, including cryptics, especially for people just getting into it? I'm hoping we can build a good resource for people to refer to.

[Mamyalynne]

Bradfords are good resources, mainly lists - excellent for quizzes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Bradfords-Crossword-Solvers-Lists/dp/0007441363

A Chambers Dictionary too is a must.

[Mamyalynne]

Brewer's too, great gift ideas for puzzlers.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brewers-Dictionary-Phrase-Fable-19th/dp/0550102450

[Peter Pedant]

for university cack up
it was necessary to read .... a dictionary
ony the strongest survived
Pears encyclo ....

terribly boring - even worse after a the first few hundred pages - -it really makes you think o god I would be better off reading a set text book for my course ....

when they were threatening to pu me on the old baggaz uni challenge team - I was reserve and the real team wiped the floor with Phillipa Gregory ( Leeds) and Lord beith of Balliol, Michael Mates the news reader so I wasnt needed - tr Hall was not forgiven
I did dictionary of 20th cent literature
and whos who in fiction

after about a week - I felt like shooting myself

[spathiphyllum]

My Great Grandmother had a "how to solve" book they did editions for cryptic clues and even a sodoku one

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[masterchef]

The best book we have ever used is called Crossword Lists & Crossword Solver by Anne Stibbs Kerr available on Amazon at £10.97 for the paperback version new or just over £6 used. We actually wore one out (it fell apart) but were delighted when we found a nearly new one in a charity shop for a fiver.
We have won quite a few prizes including the Telegraph fountain pen with the help of this book.

[spathiphyllum]

This one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crossword-Lists-Solver-Potential-Expressions/dp/1408171031

[cashier]

I have that masterchef, and, like yours, mine fell apart after 10years of constant use. I got a new one from Amazon a few years ago.

[Tilly2]

One of these.

Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases.

[Mamyalynne]

A decent gazetteer if you do quizzes that may have UK Towns/Villages in them, I shan't link to a book because I find an online one where you can tweak your searches is by far the best.

http://www.gazetteer.org.uk/

[mjulian]

My best book for help with crosswords is "Million Word Crossword Dictionary" by Stanley Newman and Daniel Stark. It gives alternative meanings for words from 3-10 letters, plus characters in plays, books by authors, casts of films, etc. etc. I couldn't do with out it!

[blondiee52]

Hello, Im not Brain of Britain lol, But l find my copy of Chambers Crossword Dictionary, lots of help. i also have another reference book which l use, Collins Bradford's Crossword Solver. Hope these can help you. Diane

[teacher1]

My paperback Crossword Lists by Anne Stibbs is now 19 years old ..... and funnily enough it has 19 loose pages. lol