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Diabolically Arcane

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Two-Way Works

11 July, 2017

In case you missed the omem - oops, memo - this week is Palindrome Week (yay!), with every abbreviated date capable of reading two ways.

A prime chance then to consider some palindromic shenanigans. Instead of craftig cryptic clues, this week's challenge relies on you choosing an actor or author as a means of presenting their latest title. For the full effect, add a short synopsis, like these timid entrees, to whet your etiteppa:

Ruffalo - 'Olaf Fur' [dram-rom tracing the Viking monopoly of the ermine trade]

Tara Moss - 'Soma Rat' [Brave New World meets Room 101]

M. Drabble - 'LB Bard' (M) [Lyrical biopic of Australia's cruciverbal pioneer]

David Tennant - 'Nan Net Diva, D' [Searing exploration of 'D', a crochet-loving troll]

Soduk to the best book & funniest (or finest) film. Feel free to push the formula in maverick directions, using initials or adding a few extra details, as this week we celebrate a timeless form.

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Rewording The Brain

Focus & memory, lateral leaps & logic - every aspect of cognitive health is lit in Rewording The Brain, a book revelling in how puzzles boost your brain. Part 2 equips your brain to conquer any twisty clue, plus the wild crossword finale. Pop science meets neural gameplay, Rewording is rewarding, and out now.

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Rewording The Brain

Care to renew your noodle? Rewording The Brain explores the latest neural studies, seeing how puzzles (and twisty clues) boost your neurons. Part 2 helps you crack such clues, and prep the grey matter for the crossword showcase to finish. More here

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101 Weird Words (and 3 Fakes)

From Ambidextrous to Zugwang, this mini-dictionary teems with rare or alluring words, plus bonus riddles, puzzles and fun word-facts. Dictionary detective will also nab the collection's three fakes. Ideal for late primary schoolers, or word-nuts in general.

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Gargantuan Book of Words

Sneeze words. Fake pasta. Viking slang. Gargantuan is a jumbo jumble of puzzles & games, mazes & quizzes, tailor-made for that wordy wonderkid in your life. Or anyone in love with letters, secret codes, puns, rhymes, emoji & all things languagey. More here 

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Riddledom Rave

If you missed my riddle chat with Richard Fidler, then feel free to slurp the podcast at http://ab.co/1I9t1x5

Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
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