New Puzzle Book Based on Viral New York Times Game Is Coming to Barnes & Noble

The wildly popular New York Times Games phenomenon Connections is officially heading to bookstores.

Barnes & Noble has announced that "Connections: Find the Common Threads in 100+ Puzzles of Wit and Wordplay" (B&N Exclusive Edition) will arrive Oct. 27, giving fans of the viral daily game a brand-new way to play away from their phones.

The Barnes & Noble exclusive edition will feature sprayed edges and a bonus foldout puzzle, along with more than 100 original Connections puzzles curated by editor Wyna Liu.

For anyone unfamiliar with the game, Connections challenges players to sort 16 words into four linked categories. Some connections are obvious, while others are intentionally sneaky, built around wordplay, double meanings and misdirection. The game launched through New York Times Games in 2023 and quickly became one of the platform's biggest hits.

The New York Times Games app itself has exploded in popularity over the past several years. What began decades ago with the newspaper's famous crossword puzzle has evolved into a massive digital gaming platform featuring Wordle, Spelling Bee, Strands, Sudoku and more. According to official figures shared by The Verge, New York Times Games titles were played more than 11 billion times in 2024 alone, with Connections accounting for roughly 3.3 billion completed games.

The game's rise has also helped transform New York Times Games into one of the company's biggest subscription drivers. Internal staffers have even joked that the company is now "a gaming company that also happens to offer news."

The upcoming book promises "never-before-seen Connections with Wyna Liu's signature twists," along with puzzles ranging from beginner-friendly warmups to more difficult brainteasers designed to trick even longtime players.

According to the official description, the collection will also include behind-the-scenes commentary on the categories and puzzle construction process, plus variations on the game's traditional 4x4 grid format.

Barnes & Noble described the release as "your next obsession," calling it a must-have for puzzle lovers, competitive friend groups and anyone already hooked on the daily game online.

The book is currently scheduled for release on Oct. 27, just in time for holiday shopping season and cozy weather puzzle marathons.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:38 AM.