Before picking this one up, I’d forgotten just how much I love word search puzzles. I’ll admit that I couldn’t pace myself, and did several a day while I reviewed my advance reader’s copy.

My biggest frustration with this book comes 2 fold:
1. My copy was digital, which made actually participating in the content difficult because the ARC software isn’t meant for books that are interacted with this way, so I had to take a series of screenshots and transfer them out to an app that would enable markup.
2. Both in the app, and as a left-handed person, having the words on a separate page from the puzzle was frustrating because my hand is where the words are, even in the best situation. I prefer these books to be coil bound (unsure of the binding for this one when it comes out, but I usually take mine to a copy shop to have the spine cut off and the book bound). With a coil binding, or any binding really, having the words on a different page is frustrating. I understand there are size constraints and you want the puzzles to be printed large enough for folks of all ages and eye-sight levels to participate, but I wish there were a better way to achieve that.

All in, I’d absolutely still recommend this one.

I am a multi-tasker while watching tv, doing chores, etc, so a book like this is a must for me to have near me at all times. I love brain games and was very excited to check this one out. Perfect for those who like brain exercises that aren't too challenging. Word searches are fun and easy fun, and this one lives up to those expectations. Loved some of the themes and loved how quickly I could move through the pages, made me feel very accomplished!

I love puzzles and word searches which is why I was excited when Zeitgeist gave me Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness to try.
Usually, I can spot words pretty easily in the searches, and I could for the first puzzles. As the puzzles became more advanced, the words were harder to find, which gave a good challenge.
Another fun part was the categories themselves and figuring out how each list of words fit into their category. There were a few words I feel didn’t fit their category, but most were a good match.
Thank you, Zeitgeist for providing me with a copy of the book.

This book is definitely perfect for killing time and gives you so many puzzles. 90 days worth that ranges from easy to tricky keeps things interesting every day.

Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness is a well-designed and enjoyable puzzle book that offers a satisfying mental workout for puzzlers of all skill levels. The book begins with clear, easy-to-follow instructions and gradually increases in difficulty—starting with easy puzzles, moving to medium, and finishing with more challenging ones. Bonus puzzles at the end offer a fun extra layer of challenge.

As an avid puzzler, I found the difficulty levels to be well-calibrated and the puzzles themselves engaging. The layout is clean and user-friendly, making it easy to jump right in and focus on the task at hand. Whether you're looking to pass the time or keep your brain sharp, this book delivers a solid and enjoyable puzzle experience.

Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness is a nice collection of puzzles set and curated by Matthew Stock. Due out 15th July 2025 from Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback format.

These are well written word search puzzles set and written by a very well known compiler (including work for the NYT and LATimes). The puzzles are arranged by difficulty, from easy to hard. Each puzzle "day" has a theme, from capital cities to words using just the consonants LCR (plus vowels). They're varied and fun. Each word search is accompanied by the list of words to find.

The chapters are set up as 30 day challenges, starting with the easy puzzles and moving to more challenging ones.

Four stars. Delivers precisely what's promised on the cover, 90 days of well formatted, clear, correct word search puzzles.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Amazing variety of puzzles ranging from easy to difficult. I enjoyed the font size and format and plan to order this one to work on!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this puzzle book!

If you're searching for a fun and stimulating way to keep your mind sharp, this word search puzzle book is a delightful choice. It opens with a motivating message about the value of mental exercise and gradually increases in difficulty—from light and breezy to satisfyingly tough. The puzzles include a fun mix of themes, including cheeses, Broadway plays, animals, and much more, keeping things fresh and surprising. You might even stumble across a new word or two along the way. Whether you're unplugging from screens or simply looking to give your brain a gentle workout, this book offers the perfect mental refresh.

Puzzles, word searches, and other brain games are excellent for cognitive health because they engage multiple areas of the brain, improving memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. These activities stimulate mental processes by requiring attention to detail, pattern recognition, and logical thinking—all of which help keep the brain active and agile. Regularly challenging your mind in this way is a great way to stay focused and even relaxed. I have this is a 90 day challenge and would look forward to completing one each day!

I love that the book starts with all the benefits of playing word games like word searches for your brain health. You also get helpful clues on how to successfully finish the word search. The author is absolutely right that the themes and categories of words have terms and people I wasn’t familiar with, and it did make me want to look them up. Which further enhances the brain benefits and learning. Bummed that I only got a digital ARC and couldn’t complete the word searches myself! Also great that it’s formatted into a 90 day challenge so you can pace yourself and look forward to a daily word search.

90 days with this book of puzzles and your search skills will take off! Matthew Stock has your challenges arranged from easy to harder to hardest. I loved that his puzzles have specific themes for each day. My favorites were Sweet Treats and What's the Issue? You will enjoy modern themes, current references, and challenging finds with over 100 fun puzzles. This author is a very credible and creative wordsmith and his puzzles show it. I loved the humor within some of his puzzles. From rock stars to gems and rocks, these searches might surprise you! I loved the challenge of them for my morning think-time. Word-search fiend? You will love this book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook ARC of this title for my review.

I love word searches, and most of my family does as well. We got through several books a year. I haven't used one in this series before, but in previewing this book, I pre-ordered it! I can't wait for it to be published so I can start working on it! Looks like a great assortment of puzzles and a good progression.

5 stars.

Varying levels of difficulty and a nice slow progression of easy to more challenging.
Nice set up, enjoyed the simple instructions before each section.

Thank you NetGalley for an electronic copy for review of Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness.

Unfortunately, I am unable to review because the book did not properly display in my Kindle app.

While I will admit that I find these difficult to engage with when they’re provided in digital format, I understand that this is a book wholly meant to exist physically. I don’t know that I would say this Word Search Puzzle book stands out among a multitude of others, but if you’re in the mood for it and the book is available on the shelf, I think it’s a pretty worthwhile one to choose. There are a good number of puzzles throughout and they’re mostly themed. Admittedly, I didn’t find the themes very stand out, either, though.

I didn’t actually do the full 90-day challenge, but I did flip through the book and really liked the overall idea. Using word searches to boost brain function and improve focus is such a smart and fun concept. It’s the kind of thing that feels doable and relaxing, but also purposeful.

What caught me off guard, though, was the way the puzzle titles didn’t always match the words in the search. For example, Day 28 is called “Fortune Tellers,” but the words are things like “CVS,” “HONDA,” and “NESTLE.” Another one, Day 50, is titled “Just You and I” and includes words like “INSULIN,” “UNZIP,” and “HIBISCUS.” I kept wondering what the connection was supposed to be.

It would have been nice if the author had added a little explanation to help tie the titles and word lists together. That small detail could’ve made the experience a bit more engaging and a little less confusing.

If I had been doing the challenge for real, this wouldn’t have stopped me from continuing, but I do think it would’ve made some puzzles feel a little less fun or meaningful.

That said, I still think it’s a good book for anyone looking to keep their brain active in a simple, enjoyable way. Just be ready for some titles that might leave you scratching your head.

This book is part of a series of puzzles by this publisher. This time the focus is on word search puzzles.

As the title indicates, the puzzles offer a 90 day challenge. So, there are 10 easy puzzles, followed by 40 medium ones and, finally, 40 hard ones. Each word search has a theme, as for example, Pizza Party where there are words like anchovy and spinach, to name just two. As the puzzles get more difficult, they are bigger and the words may appear in more directions with more overlaps.

Some bonus puzzles are also included. For those who are unfamiliar with this type of puzzle, there are some guidelines and suggestions before the first puzzle page.

Looking for some gentle brain stimulation this summer? Want to have some fun at the same time? If so, this title is worth a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for this title. All opinions are my own.