I do not have a science-minded brain so Chemistry isn't my strong subject. I was intrigued by this book and it didn't disappoint. There's Chemistry in everything and this book truly helps you find it and even understand it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes learning more about chemistry or even science in general.

An intriguing book with a wonderful premise. I enjoyed the way it introduced and broke down chemistry.

I’m not going to lie I didn’t get this book finished so I don’t feel like I can give it a fair review. I really wanted to love it, but I just couldn’t get my mind to wrap around it. Now, It may just be the way my brain is, or just the mood I was in at the time. I think I will see what others have reviewed it and decide if I should give it another shot or not now that it has been published.

Some of this was still a little over my head, but I really enjoyed the chapters on the science of everyday things.

I am not a science person, but I've always been interested in science. I found this title to be fun. Kate Bibrdorf's voice was very bubbly, showing her delight with science and passion to help others understand. I recommend this title to anyone who doesn't always get science but wants to try.

This new chemistry book explains everything in your daily life regarding how it is, well, elemental. And hey, either you forgot, or no one told you- everything is. This isn't the boring part of chemistry that you read in your old textbook- this is interesting, and once you start diving into rekindling your thirst for education, it is books such as this one that make humans love to learn. So I'm making it one of the spines of our homeschool high school chemistry class.

Fun & educational! A great casual read, perfect for public libraries.
NetGalley provided the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This will be a great addition to any nonfiction collection. It covers Chemistry in a way that non scientist can understand and is entertaining along the way

I gotta tell you- I learned more about chemistry from this entertaining book about chemistry than I did in my academic career. That's because Biberdorf, after taking the reader through the basics, actually applies the principles by explaining how chemical reactions are critical to our daily lives. Starting with coffee and getting dressed and moving throughout the day, it's revelatory. I know not to put dishwashing liquid in the dishwasher but not why, really (beyond the fact that it creates a mess). It's written in a colloquial manner with relevant anecdotes. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Perfect for readers who like to learn but also recommended for students who might want an accessible if brief insight into the subject.

A wonderful introduction to chemistry for non chemists!

I have to say, as a chemist (PhD candidate) I found this novel a little simplistic at times- but honestly? Thats the whole point. It is supposed to be reachable to wider audiences!'

I think this would be a great book to give to a high schooler interested in science (particularly the science behind how things work).

This excellent, comprehensive book gives the reader-who-skipped-chemistry-classes an in-depth course in the basic principles of chemistry. The author covers, with a friendly tone, the basics of atoms, the periodic table, solids vs. liquids. vs. gases, and many other concepts.

Highly recommended for the non-science majors who want to refresh their knowledge of high school chemistry or who want to learn it for the first time.

I love a good pop-science book, but I'm not sure who the intended audience for this was. In many parts, the explanations were a bit simplistic, in others I felt like I was just reading paragraphs of chemical names. I picked up a few interesting tidbits (more so in the second half), but Stuff Matters and Liquid Rules, both by Mark Miodownik, do the same chemical breakdown of every day objects in a much more entertaining and understandable way.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really expected to like this--it sounded like nerd heaven. I could just never get involved in it, though, especially the very basic opening chapters, and then the later chapters felt mechanical and forced. I'm sorry it wasn't my thing, and I hope it is just what someone else needs.

My husband taught high school chemistry for years and pretty much anytime he talks about chemistry or tries to explain something my eyes glaze over and I loose the thread once he gets beyond the most rudimentary concepts. My own high school chemistry experience was so awful that it turned me off of science for a very long time.
I saw the author (known better as Kate the Chemist) speak at the Simmons Leadership Conference a few years ago, and she was great! She did some chemistry demonstrations but more importantly talked about women's leadership in STEM. Between the talk, which made quite an impact, and my desire to understand my husband's work stories better, I had to read this book.
The first section goes over the basics in a really understandable way. Concepts that I remembered being confused by in the past suddenly became clear. Biberdorf has a gift for explaining chemistry. She starts easy and breaks everything down into manageable chunks.
Then she goes over various real-life applications of chemistry. Some are more interesting and some are less interesting. The most memorable parts of the book for me were when she explained the chemistry of the human body; I was fascinated!
Overall I would recommend the book as a clear way to get an overview of chemistry, even if you've found the subject intimidating or confusing in the past. I would definitely read future books by Biberdorf.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This is pretty cool. I've been saying for a while I wanted to relearn chemistry because I remember liking all those many years ago in high-school. Would recommend for people like me who want to get back some of what their missing.

this book explains chemistry in a way that makes it relatable and understandable. You can see it in action and come to understand how it works and why it matters.

This is a solid title that should appeal to library patrons who enjoy other popular science titles. The author uses relatable examples to try to define chemistry principles. I was hoping to get a greater appreciation for chemistry by reading the title. Although, I still am not a huge fan, I'm sure that patrons who enjoy chemistry or enjoy learning new things will benefit from this title.

I’ve never been one for science, it’s always fascinated me but always seemed too smart for my lame brain, which was why I was kind-of excited for ‘It’s Elemental’. It seemed like the perfect bridge to understand the science of what makes the world the world and, for the most part, it was.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book, the author managed to bring history and science together and made leaning about atoms and protons fun. I loved the examples (Hello, Ryan Reynolds), they helped me piece it all together and actually understand what I was reading…

Unfortunately, the second half of the book dealt with the science behind our everyday (cleaning, cooking, alcohol and strangely enough, her makeup routine) and wasn’t as fun. The examples helped but just didn’t have the charm as Ryan Reynolds, but then again what does?

Overall, it was a good read and I don’t feel as scientifically incompetent as I did going in, and for that, I’d recommend it.

If, like me, your memories of high school or college chemistry are nightmare fuel, yiu may be nervous about a book by a chemistry professor promising to help you understand the subject. Do not fear. Like the prof we wish we had, the author clearly and efficiently clears up the basics we either forgot or never learned and the quickly moves in to the chemistry of everyday objects and processes, from making coffee to choosing a shampoo. Why is our salt iodized and what does that mean? Why do they pasteurize orange juice? Why are cotton clothes less comfortable than dry wick? Along the way, more complex chemistry concept are painlessly explained. Highly recommended whether the reader is a high school student struggling with chemistry or an older person who wishes they had paid attention in school.

Great engaging description of why chemistry is so fascinating. This book succeeds in presenting central concepts without over simplifying them. Recommended for any one who's interested in chemistry and the molecules they encounter everyday.