Natan Last
@natanlast.bsky.social
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.
i study: migration, economics, law & literature.
i work on making humanitarian migration easier from a policy & tech perspective.
Pinned
Natan Last
@natanlast.bsky.social
· Nov 30
be like Ann Patchett and buy my book for the husband figure in your life
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
Reposted by Natan Last
#ICYMI @natanlast.bsky.social, @newyorker.com Crossword Contributor, discussed his new book with writer @stefanfatsis.bsky.social. Watch it now: youtu.be/IMLCRWbaIRQ
February 10, 2026 at 5:29 PM
#ICYMI @natanlast.bsky.social, @newyorker.com Crossword Contributor, discussed his new book with writer @stefanfatsis.bsky.social. Watch it now: youtu.be/IMLCRWbaIRQ
Reposted by Natan Last
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:
www.hillcenterdc.org
January 26, 2026 at 4:39 PM
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:
DC! this is Wednesday. come talk words and history with me and the wonderful @stefanfatsis.bsky.social.
t.co/m3BfMEjvvk
t.co/m3BfMEjvvk
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/
t.co
January 26, 2026 at 2:07 AM
DC! this is Wednesday. come talk words and history with me and the wonderful @stefanfatsis.bsky.social.
t.co/m3BfMEjvvk
t.co/m3BfMEjvvk
Reposted by Natan Last
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-...
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,...
www.hillcenterdc.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:11 PM
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-...
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...
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...
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.)
bookshopwestportal.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:20 AM
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...
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...
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
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
December 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
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
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
Reposted by Natan Last
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!
Highly recommended - an interesting insight for me into the ‘American style’ puzzles and the culture around them.
Thanks Natan!
December 17, 2025 at 6:47 AM
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!
Highly recommended - an interesting insight for me into the ‘American style’ puzzles and the culture around them.
Thanks Natan!
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...
perfect gift for yr highbrow brilliant friend
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
December 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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...
perfect gift for yr highbrow brilliant friend
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
Thanks to the New Yorker fro recommending my book as a holiday gift!
www.newyorker.com/culture/on-a...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.newyorker.com/culture/on-a...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
December 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Thanks to the New Yorker fro recommending my book as a holiday gift!
www.newyorker.com/culture/on-a...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.newyorker.com/culture/on-a...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
Reposted by Natan Last
I'm half-way through reading this now - it's very good!
read more about the (surprisingly) radical history of the crossword in my book!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
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 ...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I'm half-way through reading this now - it's very good!
Reposted by Natan Last
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.
this will be the, uh, third book about the history crosswords I’ve read this year.
read more about the (surprisingly) radical history of the crossword in my book!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
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 ...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
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.
this will be the, uh, third book about the history crosswords I’ve read this year.
an honor to get to put this full name in the NewYorker crossword today
www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...
www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...
December 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
an honor to get to put this full name in the NewYorker crossword today
www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...
www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...
Reposted by Natan Last
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.
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 ...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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.
nice mention of Across the Universe on Reactor Mag!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
reactormag.com/what-to-watc...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
reactormag.com/what-to-watc...
December 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
nice mention of Across the Universe on Reactor Mag!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
reactormag.com/what-to-watc...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
reactormag.com/what-to-watc...
Reposted by Natan Last
New book just arrived at Unch Towers!
I've been looking forward to this one, @natanlast.bsky.social :)
I've been looking forward to this one, @natanlast.bsky.social :)
December 4, 2025 at 3:11 PM
New book just arrived at Unch Towers!
I've been looking forward to this one, @natanlast.bsky.social :)
I've been looking forward to this one, @natanlast.bsky.social :)
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...
Makes a really good gift for the language lover in your life!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
December 3, 2025 at 10:39 PM
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...
Makes a really good gift for the language lover in your life!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
Reposted by Natan Last
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
@natanlast.bsky.social
At Bank Square Books
December 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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
@natanlast.bsky.social
At Bank Square Books
Reposted by Natan Last
Reposted by Natan Last
Happy to join @natanlast.bsky.social and Wyna Liu for a fun crossword event sponsored by JASA in NYC on 12/7. Come one, come all! Your ticket includes a copy of Natan's new book ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and supports a great cause. jasa.org/events/cross...
December 1, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Happy to join @natanlast.bsky.social and Wyna Liu for a fun crossword event sponsored by JASA in NYC on 12/7. Come one, come all! Your ticket includes a copy of Natan's new book ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and supports a great cause. jasa.org/events/cross...
Reposted by Natan Last
A lovely brief excerpt from @natanlast.bsky.social's new book about how crossword puzzles are responsible for "three of the most prominent houses in American letters" lithub.com/how-crosswor...
How Crossword Puzzles Underwrote Three of America’s Major Publishers
One winter evening in 1924 Mr. Richard L. Simon came home from dinner at his aunt Wixie’s house with an idea. He was a man of letters, now, and that’s why Wixie had invited him over. After Columbia…
lithub.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A lovely brief excerpt from @natanlast.bsky.social's new book about how crossword puzzles are responsible for "three of the most prominent houses in American letters" lithub.com/how-crosswor...
Reposted by Natan Last
Just added this to my family’s list of possible* gifts they might want to get** for me
*necessary
**they must get on pain of exile
*necessary
**they must get on pain of exile
be like Ann Patchett and buy my book for the husband figure in your life
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
November 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Just added this to my family’s list of possible* gifts they might want to get** for me
*necessary
**they must get on pain of exile
*necessary
**they must get on pain of exile
be like Ann Patchett and buy my book for the husband figure in your life
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
be like Ann Patchett and buy my book for the husband figure in your life
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723796...
Reposted by Natan Last
I just set down my copy of Across the Universe by @natanlast.bsky.social to do the Sunday Times crossword, only to find it was constructed by Natan Last.
November 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I just set down my copy of Across the Universe by @natanlast.bsky.social to do the Sunday Times crossword, only to find it was constructed by Natan Last.
Reposted by Natan Last
My copy just arrived. Very excited to dig into this after seeing @natanlast.bsky.social read from and talk about the book on Tuesday in NYC.
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 ...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:17 AM
My copy just arrived. Very excited to dig into this after seeing @natanlast.bsky.social read from and talk about the book on Tuesday in NYC.
Reposted by Natan Last
Indie crossword service AVCX has an exciting offer this holiday season! Subscribe, then claim your free meta mini pack by sending an email to freeminis@avxwords.com. Submit the meta solution to win a free copy of @natanlast.bsky.social's book "Across the Universe."
avxwords.com
avxwords.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Indie crossword service AVCX has an exciting offer this holiday season! Subscribe, then claim your free meta mini pack by sending an email to freeminis@avxwords.com. Submit the meta solution to win a free copy of @natanlast.bsky.social's book "Across the Universe."
avxwords.com
avxwords.com