Natan Last

The Beauty of Crossword Puzzles ft. Natan Last Podcast Episode · The Study Hall Podcast · 02/17/2026 · 36m

Thank you @natanlast.bsky.social for the fantastic (and informative!) conversation about the history and future of crossword puzzles!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

#ICYMI @natanlast.bsky.social, @newyorker.com Crossword Contributor, discussed his new book with writer @stefanfatsis.bsky.social. Watch it now: youtu.be/IMLCRWbaIRQ

great to meet you too!

was sorry to miss you!! we had a great crowd and hopefully you're feeling better AND will see ya before too long

We have @natanlast.bsky.social, @newyorker.com Crossword Contributor is coming to Hill Center on Wednesday to discuss his new book with writer @stefanfatsis.bsky.social:

DC! this is Wednesday. come talk words and history with me and the wonderful @stefanfatsis.bsky.social.

t.co/m3BfMEjvvk

Attention Crossword Enthusiasts! We have @natanlast.bsky.social, The @newyorker.com Crossword Contributor is coming to Hill Center on Wednesday to discuss his new book with writer @stefanfatsis.bsky.social: www.hillcenterdc.org/event/natan-...

Natan Last in Conversation With Justin Taylor The Legendary Independent Bookstore

www.powells.com/events/natan...

Two more West Coast events this week for Across the Universe!

Tomorrow 1/22 at 7PM I'll be in SF at Bookshop West Portal, in conversation with Soleil Ho.

And then Friday 1/23 at 7 I'll be in Portland at Powell's, in conversation with Justin Taylor!

bookshopwestportal.com/event/2026-0...

hey thanks! i'm '08 but i remember the name for sure! hope to see you at ACPT ...

@daralind.bsky.social @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social @austinkocher.com

any immigration researchers/journos know where/how border patrol/bovino come up with ICE arrest #'s?

a lawyer and advocate friend saw 111 for Louisiana, then someone said 250 in an article, then bovino said 350 ... she's working with folks in new orleans who wants to know where the BS comes from

Just finished @natanlast.bsky.social’s book “Across the Universe” all about crosswords.
Highly recommended - an interesting insight for me into the ‘American style’ puzzles and the culture around them.

Thanks Natan!

Across the Universe is highbrow and brilliant per the @nymag.com Approval Matrix!

perfect gift for yr highbrow brilliant friend

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...

Thanks to the New Yorker fro recommending my book as a holiday gift!

www.newyorker.com/culture/on-a...

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...

So glad you liked it! Eric is amazing and my favorite kind of person, and I do love a precise pun ...

I'm half-way through reading this now - it's very good!

thank you for downloading and keep nurturing those obsessions!!

after doing today’s puzzle in the new yorker, I downloaded mr. last’s audiobook.

this will be the, uh, third book about the history crosswords I’ve read this year.

Thank you! I love cryptics, I always forget how to talk to humans after solving too many of them in a row ...

Across the Universe by Natan Last: 9780553387704 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books An entertaining and eye-opening look at the history of crossword puzzles, who constructs them, and why crosswords matter as both a reflection of and influence on our culture "Should be at the top of ...

read more about the (surprisingly) radical history of the crossword in my book!

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...

and to spotlight these two radical women

an honor to get to put this full name in the NewYorker crossword today

www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...

Thank you Daniel, for reading and for the kind words!

Across the Universe by Natan Last: 9780553387704 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books An entertaining and eye-opening look at the history of crossword puzzles, who constructs them, and why crosswords matter as both a reflection of and influence on our culture "Should be at the top of ...

I've been wanting to read a book about crossword puzzles ever since getting the bug during the pandemic (appropriately). Across The Universe by @natanlast.bsky.social is the one I'd been waiting for. Excellent balance of history, sociology, and craft. With lots of cameos by #gridsky regulars.

nice mention of Across the Universe on Reactor Mag!

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...

reactormag.com/what-to-watc...

a bookcase filled with with crossword-themed books. at the top of the pile is a copy of "across the universe - the past, present and future of the crossword puzzle" by Natan Last

New book just arrived at Unch Towers!

I've been looking forward to this one, @natanlast.bsky.social :)

thank you!

Across the Universe is the #1 bestseller at McNally Jackson this week!

Makes a really good gift for the language lover in your life!

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...

I bought this to give a granddaughter who already has too much stuff and too much to do.
@natanlast.bsky.social
At Bank Square Books