I seldom do a word search – it was a task I got to be pretty good at at a young age, and so I seek the fresher puzzles if I end up the possessor of a daily newspaper or puzzle book. This declares I'm a bit daft in that, and that the 100+ puzzles (yes, it's based on there being 90 days of brain training but they threw in bonuses) here could help buff my noggin. It points out that you might find yourself researching some of the terms to seek – looking them up as well as looking for them. And that was the case with some of the fantastical beasts in just the fifth puzzle here – and that was in the easy set.

Here then are ten grids declared easy – the words are more obvious, more likely to be at an angle we're commonly reading in, etc – and then forty medium and forty hard, before that free dozen. All of it shows a fine breadth of subjects (OK, slightly Americanised, but we can let that pass) and the depth of terms to look up show this was not just thrown together. There again are chess terms early in the mediums I had no idea existed, and breads later on I've not come across. You don't get grids where all the vowels are either U or I that commonly – a fruitful, uplifting triumph, then.

In fact everywhere you look there is a nice touch of cleverness – deserts next to desserts, and a search called "Quarter Backs" that has less to do with American sports, and more to do with people and places honoured through coinage. All simple things (he says, before spotting "Straight Ahead"!), but done really cleverly, and enough to raise a smile and keep your head down for a further puzzle.

Cleverness, and going that extra mile, is a standard reason for me to give five stars, but I'm never going to give that to a puzzle book, however savvy it is, and however savvy it makes me. But I have to go on record to say this is how it should be done, and if you prefer this format, of getting these from a proper book and proper bookstore, and not the magazine spinners, you'd struggle to find better.

Good for younger and older people. However, not much different than what you would find at a local dollar store or five below. Good to keep in your car or bag for when you are waiting to pick the kids up from school or sitting at an office waiting for an appointment.

Thank you to Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

The first time I attempted to read and review it, I downloaded it to my kindle and it was not functional in that format; however, by using the NetGalley app, I was able to properly view the pages and give my honest review. This book will be available in paperback format, so there should be no issue with the typical reader using it.

I love word searches and found this to be an entertaining "read" on a rainy day. This book is intended to be read as a 90-day challenge. Each section is broken into levels of difficulty (e.g. easy, medium, hard, and bonus searches). An answer key is placed at the back of the book as with most books of this type. Unlike other books in this genre, this one has a "tips and tricks" section, which seemed like a thoughtful addition. If you are looking for an activity to boost your brain each day and get away from the screens, this book is for you.

While the themes of the puzzles look intriguing, the formatting of the ebook makes it impossible to see if they get more challenging as you progress

Thanks so much Zeitgeist (@zeitgeistpublishing) for the complimentary digital copy!
This word search puzzle is a great little item to have on hand for some fun, low-effort brain work. That being said, a page or two a day will keep your mind sharp! It's one of those books that can be kept on a bedside table, inside your purse or backpack, or on your coffee table -- in my case, my digital copy is reliably within my digital device which allows me to write or draw on the pages as I please. The themes are varied and interesting, and it's a nice way to pass 30 minutes or so.

Fun puzzles to keep your mind busy. E-book copy was hard to use at times but overall enjoyed the puzzles!

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.