There’s nothing like a crossword puzzle to make you feel ever-so-slightly inadequate. Why can’t you recall — seven words down — the instrument used to kill Leon Trotsky? Why don’t you know — five words across — the most famous opera by Jules Massenet? Go watch some more “Jersey Shore,” you fool … or pick up a new book of crossword puzzles, Word., designed for us younger folks and our pop cultural references. Brown University senior Natan Last is a three-time intern for famous puzzler Will Shortz and is the younger person ever to have a crossword published in The New York Times. Word. is is a collection of 144 puzzles on 21st century topics like “Mad Men,” ” South Park,” and hell even “The Powerpuff Girls” that mix high and low for some brain teasing fun. Consider this N-E-R-D all over it. [$8.58, Amazon]
