Joy of Reading Puzzle 
by Jigsaw Puzzle Connections Facebook Group Member Sherri Demos - Puzzling With My Mom Series

We invite you to read Sherri's review on the following jigsaw puzzle. She enjoys jigsaw puzzling with her Mom and she has reviewed/journaled several that will be available on this website. The following is one of the many in her 'Puzzling With My Mom' Series.  Joy of Reading Puzzle Amazon link
Brand: Hennessy Title: Joy of Reading puzzle Pieces: 1000

Joy of Reading Puzzle Review

Lovely-Dots-puzzle
Brand: Hennessy Title: Joy of Reading puzzle Pieces: 1000

Brand: Hennessy jigsaw puzzles

Title: Joy of Reading puzzle

Pieces: 1000

Like many of you, I have multiple hobbies. Two of my favorite hobbies are reading and puzzling. Imagine my delight when I found a brand new Hennessy puzzle that combines both of these hobbies! I seldom work a puzzle shortly after getting it because my puzzle stash is simply too large and any new puzzles have to wait patiently in my queue until their turn to come out and play. I couldn’t make this fun one wait and it was on my puzzle table within four short days (I had a puzzle that I was working on for Veterans Day that I had to finish first). To put this in perspective, I have puzzles that I bought three+ years ago that I still haven’t assembled yet!

If you have never done a Hennessy puzzle, they are a small family-owned company with puzzles that feature random cut pieces made with recycled materials in the USA. I personally own 10 of their puzzles and have enjoyed every one of the puzzles that I have done. I can’t say enough about how awesome this company is. Their customer service is superior, and the owner has proven to be very generous with his support of our puzzling community. The pieces of this puzzle were well cut, fully interlocked, with little puzzle dust, no cut issues or damaged pieces. I thought that I might have been missing a piece, but I found it under the couch, no doubt a victim of my sweatshirt sleeve.

I was so pleased with the way this puzzle came together. I chose to work it in my typical methodical strategy, starting in the upper left corner and working my way to the upper right corner. This style of puzzle, though, could easily be assembled in a more fluid freestyle manner (what I laughingly call the chaos theory because it is the exact opposite of how I need to do my puzzles, which I am certain is thought boring by you who embrace organized chaos, lol). It would also be an excellent group project where everyone can work on their own sections. I know that assembling puzzles my way can test your patience and resolve. I can’t tell you how much those black & white checkered pieces and the orange letter pieces were screaming at me to do them out of order, but I stuck with my plan. Fortunately, they are next to each other, so once I was rewarded with the section with the checkered pattern, I quickly moved on to those orange letters.

I adore so many of the images, but I think that my favorite section is that little one in the bottom left where the girl is perched in a tree with a book. My mom nurtured my love of reading by giving me books for Christmas and birthdays. Having four younger brothers and a bossy older sister, however, led me to find my own special reading tree. From its lofty branches, I would escape into life on the prairie or in the Swiss Alps or on the trail of a great mystery. My tree didn’t have fragrant blossoms to shield me from view, but I loved reading in my tree whenever possible. Oh, the memories that this puzzle brought back!

Puzzle details: Hennessy Puzzles, “The Joy of Reading”, 1000 pieces, 2019.

Brand: Hennessy Title: Joy of Reading puzzle Pieces: 1000
There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading.There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading. Click Here
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About Jigsaw Puzzles: Unveiling the Benefits of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles

A Therapeutic Journey

Jigsaw puzzles have long captivated individuals of all ages, offering not only a fun pastime but also a myriad of benefits for mental well-being. From enhancing cognitive skills to promoting relaxation, the act of piecing together puzzles goes beyond entertainment. In this article, we explore the remarkable benefits of engaging in jigsaw puzzles, shedding light on the positive effects they have on our minds and bodies.

  1. Cognitive Stimulation: Jigsaw puzzles serve as a workout for the brain, stimulating cognitive functions such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning. As we examine puzzle pieces, analyze patterns, and make connections, our brains become engaged in a captivating mental exercise.
  2. Improved Memory: Engaging in jigsaw puzzles helps enhance short-term memory and reinforce long-term memory. Remembering shapes, colors, and patterns, and recalling their positions throughout the puzzle aids in memory retention and retrieval.
  3. Focus and Concentration: Solving jigsaw puzzles requires sustained focus and concentration. By immersing ourselves in the task at hand, we train our minds to block out distractions, strengthen our attention span, and improve our ability to stay focused on a specific goal.
  4. Stress Relief: Puzzling acts as a therapeutic escape from the stresses of everyday life. As we immerse ourselves in the puzzle-solving process, our minds become engrossed, creating a sense of mindfulness and providing a temporary respite from worries and anxieties.
  5. Boost in Dopamine Levels: Completing a puzzle triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge in dopamine creates a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, reinforcing the positive feelings associated with puzzle solving.
  6. Enhanced Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating puzzle pieces and fitting them together requires precise hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Regularly engaging in puzzles can help improve dexterity, agility, and the coordination between our hands and eyes.
  7. Social Interaction: Puzzling can be a social activity that fosters connection and collaboration. Solving puzzles with family or friends encourages communication, teamwork, and shared accomplishment, enhancing social bonds and creating lasting memories.
  8. Patience and Perseverance: Completing a complex puzzle requires patience and perseverance. As we encounter challenges and setbacks, we learn to persist, develop problem-solving strategies, and build resilience—a valuable skillset that extends beyond puzzle-solving.
  9. Mental Relaxation and Mindfulness: The meditative nature of jigsaw puzzles can induce a state of relaxation, promoting mindfulness and reducing stress levels. The repetitive and calming motions of sorting and connecting pieces can have a soothing effect on the mind, allowing for a tranquil escape from daily pressures.
  10. Sense of Achievement: The satisfaction of placing that final puzzle piece and witnessing the complete image provides a profound sense of achievement. This sense of accomplishment boosts self-esteem, instills a sense of pride, and fosters a positive mindset.

By embracing the benefits of jigsaw puzzles, we unlock not only an enjoyable hobby but also a path to mental well-being. Whether you're seeking cognitive stimulation, stress relief, or a moment of mindfulness, engaging in puzzles can enrich your life and provide a therapeutic journey that transcends the puzzle board. So gather your puzzles, sharpen your focus, and embark on this fulfilling adventure of piecing together fragments to create something beautiful and whole.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)