You open the box, pour out chaos of little cardboard pieces, and somehow — slowly, patiently — it all comes together. Some days, it’s calming (relaxing); other days, it’s downright frustrating (kind of annoying), but either way, it pulls you in. Piece by piece, your brain gets to work — noticing shapes, spotting patterns, and finding that rhythm where everything just clicks.
This book began with a simple question I couldn’t shake: Why do puzzles feel so good?
And the more I looked into it — the history, the science, the art — the more fascinating it became. I discovered that puzzles aren’t just something we do to pass the time. They’re how we train focus, relieve stress, connect with others, and understand ourselves. There’s a lot more going on under the surface than meets the eye.
So that’s what this book is about. It’s for the curious solver — whether you’re a lifelong puzzler or someone who’s just starting to explore this world. We’ll go deep into stories, strategies, psychology, creativity, and even therapy. And along the way, I want to offer a little twist...