Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answer and Help for Dec. 17, #289

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It took me an embarrassingly long time to connect the title of today’s Strands puzzle with its topic. The title of the puzzle is, “It’s lit!” which I understand as a Gen Z phrase for something that’s exciting or fun, like a party. But as an English major, I should have seen immediately that “lit” is also short for “literature.” Anyway, if you need more hints and answers for today’s Strands puzzle, read on.

Also, I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story. 

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: It’s lit!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Sections in a bookstore.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

• CAME, MACE, RENT, RIME, WETS, MORE, CHOIR, CHOIRS, HINGE, TING, TINGE, STEW, WEST, REST, LATE.

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you’ve got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

• CRIME, FANTASY, ROMANCE, WESTERN, HISTORICAL

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is FICTIONGENRE. To find it, start with the F that’s four letters down on the first row to the far left, and wind across.