This NYT Connections puzzle (#576, January 7, 2025) presents a challenging word-sorting task. The goal is to categorize sixteen seemingly unrelated words into four thematic groups. If you're stuck, this guide provides hints and solutions.

The Words: A Few, Love, Barbershop, Essays, A Rose, Certain, Enough, A Life, A Deal, Part One, Various, A Cappella, A Novel, Doo-Wop, Some, Madrigal.

General Hints:

1. The categories aren't based on starting letters or phrases beginning with "A".
2. "Part One" and "A Novel" belong together.
3. "Love" and "Enough" share a category.

Category Solutions:

Yellow (Easy): Vocal Music

Hint: Think about musical styles using only voices.

Solution: A Cappella, Barbershop, Doo-Wop, Madrigal

Green (Medium): A Handful Of

Hint: Consider quantities.

Solution: A Few, Certain, Some, Various

Blue (Hard): Book Subtitles

Hint: Think about common subtitle structures in books.

Solution: A Life, A Novel, Essays, Part One

Purple (Tricky): ___ is ___ (is ____)

Hint: These are phrases with repeated words or structures.

Solution: A Deal, A Rose, Enough, Love

Complete Solution:

• Yellow: Vocal Music: A Cappella, Barbershop, Doo-Wop, Madrigal
• Green: A Handful Of: A Few, Certain, Some, Various
• Blue: Book Subtitles: A Life, A Novel, Essays, Part One
• Purple: ___ is ___ (is ____): A Deal, A Rose, Enough, Love

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