so-soI think the most important thing I can do with this review is set the stage for those who are contemplating reading this book. While there are four primary female figures and a few others, arguably part of crossword history, whose life and works are a large part of this book, and the author traces her own work and experience with the world of crosswords, there are also digressions into larger feminist history, 1/?
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Part dissertation on the intersection of crosswords and feminism, including profiles of several women and LGBTQ+ folk; part memoir of a young woman crossword constructor who worked as an assistant to Will Shorts, including her recovery from anorexia. Parts are thought provoking, but there are a lot of different and not obviously connected threads that sometimes weave together more effectively than others.
Stopped at a library I don‘t usually go to and they have a puzzle swap. This is such a cool idea. I hope it catches on with some of the other branches 🥰🧩
pickA history of crossword puzzles and feminist wordplay through the lens of the author's struggle with anorexia. Endlessly fascinating and Shectman pulls the intersections off incredibly well.
Found this cute puzzle at the thrift store yesterday. Going to try to do some audiopuzzling (sp?) today. Also want to update my Movie/TV totals before my week 2 totals which I will post next.
Only Murders in the Building season finale
The Rookie
Friday the 13th part 3
Castle (3)
+31 pts
#scarathlon2021 #teamslaughter
Well, I WAS going to do some audiopuzzling, but then my son sat down and completed the entire 1,000-piece puzzle in just a few hours. 🤷🏻♀️ It‘s pretty, though—isn‘t it ?
pickA low pick (3.5/5). Some good anecdotes, and the discussion of how to construct a puzzle was really interesting. I was not enamoured with the discursive footnotes (especially not the one with that old myth about posh being an acronym).
My other half started doing the NY Times crossword when he started working night shifts. He tracks his time and records it in a spreadsheet. He figures if his solve time starts going up, night shift is frying his brain 😬
This crossword is actually a couple of weeks old; he gets the paper from his parents, in batches.
Afternoon snack!
🍽chocolate banana cookies
☕️Tazo Earl Grey tea
To add to the muddle, while the author calls herself out on her tendency to intellectualize, it doesn't stop her from delving in to the psychological theory of anorexia, various psychologists' work, and unfortunately, a few dips into Freudian analysis which I outright skimmed. 6mo
The author's intentions, it now seems clear, were not to provide an inspirational text, but a recognition of the struggle. I just wish I'd known that going in.
⚠️ anorexia, detailed discussion of disordered eating, body dysmorphia, transphobia 6mo