Cover Image: Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry

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Member Reviews

Elizabeth Zott is not like any chemist you’d meet, she doesn’t let her bosses push her around, takes charge of her life by switching careers, and has a marvelous dog and daughter along for the ride. A lot of laugh out loud parts in this story. A good book club selection and one that will be recommended.

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This was such a quirky, entertaining story with a lot of heart. My favorite character was hands-down Six-Thirty (yes, the dog) with Mad and Elizabeth coming in a close second. I could see both of their characters in the children that I serve as a gifted coordinator/teacher, which was really fun for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for the opportunity to read this one!
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

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This was a really cute, laugh out loud funny book! I buzzed it around my library pre-pub. I loved that it was historical, funny, and a nice love story. Elizabeth Zott will be a character to remember for sure. A solid debut author!

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Well, I wanted to like this book but I disliked it intensely. In fact, I hated it.

Lessons in Chemistry became progressively more difficult to pick up and I ultimately did not finish reading it after reading 70% of the book. Here are some of the major issues I had with the book:

⚠️ THIS BOOK IS THE EMBODIMENT OF WHITE FEMINISM ⚠️

As a woman of color (and honestly just a human being), I found this book insulting.

❌ Being a housewife and feeling under-appreciated or unable to reach your potential because of societal expectations is NOT comparable to legalized slavery.

For one, slavery WAS legal. And I don’t have time for your White tears about how being a privileged White lady and staying home with your kids in suburbia is so horrible. It might suck but it is NOTHING compared to slavery.

❌ Five Years with the Congo Cannibals. Why the author felt the need to have the 5 year old daughter, Mad, read this book is beyond me. Africans and African Americans are not the butt of your jokes or for your shock value. And, certainly not for you to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about. Really? The only mention of Africans is to portray them as cannibals?

❌ Black women were so obtusely ignored throughout the whole book and then Madeline (a White little girl) wants to put Sojourner Truth & Nefertiti on her family tree to illustrate how we’re all the same?! WHAT IN THE COLORBLIND HELL.
If this book is about feminism then why not compare yourself to men to illustrate how women shouldn’t be treated differently based on sex instead of, once again, using Black women as a prop.

Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse, @doubledaybooks, @netgalley for the e-ARC of this book. That’s my honest feedback of this e-ARC.

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Lessons in Chemistry is truly a lesson in writing a strong female character who doesnt ever compromise who she is for anyone else. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist turned TV star but she refuses to dumb it down for her audience and knows that women are always capable of more than they are allowed to be. I loved her and her story even though it was hard to read at times. I would have loved to read more about Harriet and Mad, they are true standout characters who support Elizabeth and add so much life and depth to her. Don't miss our on this.

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Absolutely loved this book, and have already started recommending it to others. Will be a fun summer read pick for sure.

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I loved the characters in the book (except for 6:30, the dog), I liked the way they spoke, the situations they got in and got out of, I thought the ending was great, even though I kind of could see it coming, that was OK==I was right. But the best parts of the book were the theme of the story--what it was like for a women in scientific research in the 50s/60s, but even overriding that, is the love story. Although I thought the book was wonderful, I did get irritated with the dog. I don't mind the dog being i the story, but I really didn't care what was in the dog's mind. For me, it was just a gimmick too far...

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📚Book Review📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Often the best way to deal with the bad is to turn it on end—use it as a strength, refuse to allow the bad thing to define you. Fight it.” -Elizabeth Zott

After reading @shawntaye1 review of this book, I knew I had to pick it up. After the first chapter, I was hooked. Elizabeth Zott is a female scientist fighting sexism in the workplace during the 1960s. The male scientists believe she is only there to be their secretaries and only when she makes great discoveries do they recognize her long enough to steal her work. One day she meets Calvin Evans, a brilliant, famous scientist, who recognizes the amazing chemist Elizabeth is. However, life happens, and her male colleagues win, and Elizabeth ends up the host of an afternoon cooking show where she helps change the lives of all her viewers one meal at a time.

Elizabeth Zott is a character that is true to herself. She faces all adversities thrown her way with dignity and bravery. She has a truly amazing support group including her beloved dog, Six-Thirty (the absolute best book dog there is).

The writing is perfectly witty. It was a book I couldn’t put down. When it came close to the end, I just couldn’t finish it. I didn’t want the book to end.

Growing up I heard stories of the discrimination my mom faced in the 70s as she dreamed to be a doctor. Women like Elizabeth Zott helped paved the way for all future women as they broke barriers in male dominated fields. This is a book that will always stay with me.

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Elizabeth Zott is an incredibly intelligent scientist who just wants to study abiogenesis. Her problem? It's the late 1950s and women aren't taken seriously in scientific fields. Over a span of years, we see how Elizabeth copes with tragedy and the changes that come with it. I enjoyed this debut author's writing, but Elizabeth was a bit annoying to me. I did love Harriet, Walter, and Mad. I will definitely read more by the author. (3.5 stars rounded up)

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A fascinating story about a scientist trying to make her way in the male-dominated field of chemistry. I found Elizabeth Zott to be remarkable in her intelligence and her insistence she deserved to be treated as another scientist (and rightfully so) but somewhat unlikeable. She is very no-nonsense and matter-of-fact. I loved the dog and her experiment to teach him words and her daughter is cute and precocious. All in all, an enjoyable read.

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My reading experience of Lessons in Chemistry was an emotional rollercoaster. Sometimes I was the kid who was bored while it slowly climbed up the hill and at others I was their neighbor, excited with anticipation of what was coming. I was the kid who felt nauseous (in this case with anger at the mistreatment of Elizabeth!) and the kid whooping with excitement at glorious moments. For the most part, this analogy is meant as a compliment; the book ignited emotions.

The dragging uphill climb refers to moments of heavy exposition. I didn't care for most of the pausing with backstory and thought the first half that focused on Elizabeth and Calvin's relationship was too long. Having said that, there were moments of absolute perfection and it all centered around Elizabeth's sassy no-nonsense vibe. Once she started at Supper at Six I got the book I was looking for. She is a total boss, an embodiment of empowerment and feminism, living her authentic nerdy self and not standing for anyone's BS. Her comebacks were everything! What I liked most about the book was what women like most about Supper at Six: Elizabeth takes herself seriously and expects others to do so as well. She empowered women at a time when they rarely strayed from expectations. It's worth reading for her character alone. Also, the writing style had a unique vibe and tone which I found so refreshing.

There were so many highlightable sentences. One of my favorites was "He listened politely, then commented on her trousers- called them a bold choice. She looked at him surprised, then congratulated him on his same bold choice. There was a tone." Next to this I wrote, "She is perfect".

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Poignant, zany, tender, brave. Y’all. This breathtaking book is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist/single mother/host of popular daytime cooking show in the 1960s. Elizabeth overcomes many challenges in her professional + personal life with optimistic resilience and a scientist’s unrelenting curiosity. Exploring difficult themes of sexism, racism and gender expectations- this novel challenges stereotypes at every turn and leaves the reader feeling hopeful and joyful at the incredibly satisfying conclusion. An absolutely moving debut by @bonnie_garmus_author, I fell in love with Elizabeth, her found family, her zeal for life, her dedication to the scientific pursuit and her relentless integrity. The writing was sheer brilliance- I loved how seemingly small moments became paramount to the overall story and ultimately came full circle. This book made me elated, frustrated, heartbroken, proud- but most of all it just made me FEEL.

Thank you so much to Doubleday books for my copy. I can’t recommend this book enough!

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is more than a novel, its a chemistry lesson and a cooking lesson combined with a heroine that is unforgettable! I really had a hard time believing that this was the debut novel for Garmus because it is so well written and characters are fully developed. I love the dog and the other characters too! Highly recommend for a good read about a woman that is an amazing and brilliant scientist who also happens to be a single mom living life in the sixties!

Thank you to NetGalley, Doubleday Books, and author Bonnie Garmus for this digital review copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my reviews are voluntary and my opinions are my own.

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The early 1960’s. A chemist named Elizabeth Zott. A Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder named Calvin who falls in love with her. Along with a dazzling cast of characters that includes a dog named Six-Thirty.

📙Lessons in Chemistry By Bonnie Garmus
📙Fiction
📙Publisher: Doubleday Books
📙 🌟🌟🌟 🌟🌟5 stars

📚Synopsis:
“Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with--of all things--her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.”

📚Loved:
✔️A strong female lead who’s intelligent, brave and bold.
✔️The highly intelligent, lovable dog named Six-Thirty. I loved how the author made him the narrator at times.
✔️The supporting characters were a wonderful balance of totally unlikeable and completely endearing.
✔️All the tidbits that included the science behind cooking.

I would highly recommend this book! It’s witty, wacky and wonderful!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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ALL THE STARS!!!! This is, by far, the best novel I've read in 2022 and I'm so thankful a friend prompted me to move it to the top of my TBR list. I don't love the comparisons to other recent novels with "quirky" characters because I do believe this novel - the story, characters, setting, etc. - are quite unique. I'll be recommending this one to everyone I can!

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This is a book I would not normally pick up, but I'm so glad I did! I appreciated the quirky characters, loved the family dog, and thought the plot was very unique. The way women were treated during this time in history was truly infuriating. I loved seeing the main character portrayed as an intelligent scientist who defied the odds and triumphed, despite challenges and the trauma she experienced.

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What a fantastic debut novel! Part of the way through the book, I was loving it so much, that I immediately went to buy anything else Bonnie Garmus had written and was surprised to find out that this was a debut! What an amazingly talented writer, I hope she has another book in the works right now!

Writing 5 star reviews is hard for me, because I just want to gush about ALL the things that happen in the book. But then I don’t want to spoil anything for you. But I want to tell you enough so you see how good it sounds. See my conundrum?

The main character of the book is Elizabeth Zott. Elizabeth is a chemist in the 1960’s - not the best of times for a woman to choose a field dominated by men. She is practical, scientific, charming and quirky.

The book is filled with quirky characters, from her precocious daughter to her dog named six-thiryy. Six-thirty is actually my second favorite character in the book, since we are privy to his thoughts.

This book has it all - what it was like to be woman in the 1960’s for both those who were homemakers to those who were trying to make it out in a world predominantly run by men. There are sad parts, happy parts, and joyous parts.
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I received a copy from Netgalley for my honest opinion. Women of the 50s and 60s did not have the rights that we do now. The two main characters are scientists. Calvin is world renowned. Elizabeth, E.Z., Luscious Lizzie, has to fight to be taken seriously as a scientist. Tragic pasts for both of them, along with tragedy in the present changes Elizabeth’s world. Each character is interesting by themselves. Mix them together and you have many stories to share. Creative and spot on! Highly recommend!

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This is a fantastic book. Such a delight! The book is set in the 1960s and Elizabeth isn't forging the path as expected for a woman. She's a chemist blazing her own trail and we're lucky enough to be along for the ride.

Do not miss this book, it's hilarious, thoughtful, and will leave your heart happy!

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Every once in a great while, a book takes you by surprise. At first I found "Lessons in Chemistry" charming. Then I realized it wasn't the rom-com the cover seemed to suggest. Eventually I noted it wasn't just about chemistry. And finally I didn't want the story to end.

FIRST SENTENCE: "Back in 1961, when women wore shirtwaist dresses and joined garden clubs and drove legions of children around in seatbeltless cars without giving it a second thought; back before anyone knew there'd be a sixties movement, much less one that its participants would spend the next sixty years chronicling; back when the big wars were over and the secret wars had just begun and people were starting to think fresh and believe everything was possible, the thirty-year old mother of Madeline Zott rose before dawn every morning and felt certain of just one thing: her life was over." (The longest first sentence I have ever recorded.)

THE STORY: It's the 1960s again bringing back all the "outrageous sexism" women had to deal with as they began fighting for their equal rights. Our scientist heroine, Elizabeth Zott, meets Calvin Evans, a renowned scientist and avid rower. How this partnership changes them is the beginning of a story that touches and changes others.

Later when Elizabeth cannot find a position as a scientist, she improbably becomes the host of a television show called 'Supper at Six" where she uses chemistry to explain food preparation.

WHAT I THOUGHT: Having lived through the 1960s and experiencing much of what Bonnie Garmus describes, I realized how far we have come and how much farther we have to go. "Lessons in Chemistry" evokes a variety of responses and emotions ranging from constant laughing out loud to anger to tears and everything in between.

And Elizabeth is an amazingly kind, strong, stubborn, intelligent woman sometimes as irritating to the reader as she is to the people around her. All the characters (except for the villains) are people we want to have as friends too including Six-Thirty, "a really great dog".

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Reading this book is an experience you do not want to miss! April 25, 2022 issue of People Magazine had this as its Book of the Week

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus from NetGalley/Doubleday Books for my honest review.

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