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Natan Last

@natanlast

i write: crosswords, poetry, policy research, nonfiction. i study: migration, economics, law & literature. i work on making humanitarian migration easier from a policy & tech perspective.

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03.07.2023
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Latest posts by Natan Last @natanlast

Preview
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...

17.02.2026 16:41 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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#ICYMI @natanlast.bsky.social, @newyorker.com Crossword Contributor, discussed his new book with writer @stefanfatsis.bsky.social. Watch it now: youtu.be/IMLCRWbaIRQ

10.02.2026 17:29 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

great to meet you too!

31.01.2026 06:24 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

31.01.2026 06:24 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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:

26.01.2026 16:39 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/natan-last-the-new-yorker-crossword-contributor-discusses-his-new-book-across-the-universe-in-conversation-with-with-writer-stefan-fatsis/

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

t.co/m3BfMEjvvk

26.01.2026 02:07 👍 7 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Natan Last, The New Yorker Crossword Contributor, discusses his new book, Across the Universe, in conversation with writer Stefan Fatsis Calling all Crossword, Spelling Bee, and Wordle Fans! If you are ever a little nosey and glance at the phone screen of the person sitting next to you on the train, or in a café, or in line at a store,...

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-...

23.01.2026 14:11 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Natan Last in Conversation With Justin Taylor The Legendary Independent Bookstore

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

22.01.2026 00:20 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Natan Last: Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle, with Soleil Ho This event is free to attend. Seating is first come, first served. (RSVPs are optional, but encouraged for our planning purposes.)

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...

22.01.2026 00:20 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

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

20.12.2025 05:28 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

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

17.12.2025 15:58 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

17.12.2025 15:58 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

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!

17.12.2025 06:47 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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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...

13.12.2025 19:48 👍 10 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Thanks to the New Yorker fro recommending my book as a holiday gift!

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

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

12.12.2025 17:11 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

12.12.2025 17:10 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

10.12.2025 12:18 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

thank you for downloading and keep nurturing those obsessions!!

08.12.2025 23:06 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

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.

08.12.2025 21:38 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

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

08.12.2025 17:23 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
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...

08.12.2025 17:04 👍 12 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 2
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and to spotlight these two radical women

08.12.2025 17:04 👍 8 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0
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an honor to get to put this full name in the NewYorker crossword today

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

08.12.2025 17:03 👍 33 🔁 6 💬 1 📌 0

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

06.12.2025 17:35 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
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.

06.12.2025 15:03 👍 14 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0
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nice mention of Across the Universe on Reactor Mag!

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

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

05.12.2025 19:47 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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

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 :)

04.12.2025 15:11 👍 7 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

thank you!

04.12.2025 04:28 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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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...

03.12.2025 22:39 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
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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

02.12.2025 17:30 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0