So very happy this book was offered to me to read and review. I absolutely loved it. There was not one sentence that I could criticize! How far we’ve come… how many miles we have to go! An empowering, thought provoking read. I laughed, I cried, I celebrated but most of all I embraced the tenacity of Elizabeth Zott.. True to herself, her child, her partner and to women!!

Wow!!!! What a story!!!!
The story is from 1950s-1960s .. a scientist .. a chemist who is trying to do good work .. fighting against misogyny .. showing up everyday to be taken seriously!! There are a lot of funny situations in the story .. heartwarming love .. friendship!! A story of strength, hope, determination, indomitable spirit!! A well written book that I really enjoyed!!
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Thank you to the Author, @netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an Advance Reader Copy.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus might be one of the most unique books I have read in a long time. Set in the 1960s, it features a brilliant female chemist, Elizabeth, who ends up on a cooking show. She is not at all what anyone would picture when they picture a cooking show host in the 1960s and that’s what makes her great. Even though the character of Elizabeth and I do not have very much in common, I still felt connected to her and intrigued by her gumption.

What I liked: I loved that I got to read parts of the story from the dog’s perspective. Six-Thirty was one of the highlights of the book for me. As well, I appreciate a strong female character, and Lessons in Chemistry really emphasizes how challenging that was during the 1960s. I truly admired Elizabeth’s drive and her morals.

What could be better: Certain parts of the book almost felt like magical realism and required a great deal of suspension of disbelief. This juxtaposed the no-nonsense attitude that Elizabeth held throughout the story.

I thought the book was good and I liked that it leaned into its own uniqueness, very much like Elizabeth herself. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars because I was entertained and I especially liked how Elizabeth used her platform to reach out to and support other women. I think it is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in reading about women in STEM and some of the obstacles they face.

*Please note that the ARC was provided by Penguin Randomhouse Canada via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Can't access the file without additional software/apps so unfortunately unable to provide a review.
If the format could be changed such that it can be accessed on Kindle I'd be happy to read and review it.

Thank you.

Think Julia Child meets The Big Bang Theory and you have the essence of this feminist story that will be sure to take the world of readers by force!

Set in 1960s California, this is a vibrant story about a woman, an accredited Chemist, whose dream of being a scientist is squashed by those who believe that a woman’s place is in the home. When her funding is cut and she’s left wondering how to make ends meet, Elizabeth Zott, a single mom to a 5-year-old daughter, reluctantly accepts a job as a TV host cooking show, Supper at Six. The show is an immediate hit as she uses the platform “to teach a nation of overlooked housewives–and the men who suddenly find themselves listening–a lot more than recipes.” Elizabeth Zott doesn’t just teach women to cook, she dares them to challenge the status quo.

I loved this clearly realized protagonist - a character who brings hope to those who need encouragement to stay true to themselves and not accept society’s limitations. I laughed with her and cried with her. I was invested in her character and couldn’t put this book down. I was amazed at the multiple lenses with which the debut author chose for readers to view Zott. It was a fantastic way for readers to see how women in this time period were viewed. However, I think that this character’s quirkiness is what held my attention. A Chemistry teacher myself, I snickered when she told the audience "combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride." I yelled at characters who were treating her unfairly and cheered right alongside her when she refused to put up with being held back, disbelieved, maligned and underestimated. I cried with her when she let down her guard and revealed her vulnerable side. She is an amazing protagonist and Garmus has effectively crafted her to explore the 1960s mindset and the rise of feminism.

If you are a dog lover, Six-Thirty, Zott’s beloved dog will warm your heart. The author has given him a voice - a unique perspective with which to view his owners.

Please consider looking up content warnings prior to reading.

This book has gained worldwide attention and will feature on Apple TV+ as a series featuring Brie Larson.

Saluting a generation of overlooked housewives, Elizabeth Zott not only has a powerful effect on her audience but her readers as well. You need to read this book about a woman, a trained Chemist, who changes a nation as she cooks.

Elizabeth Zott, you rock!

I was gifted this advance copy by Bonnie Garmus, Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

You know when you get a book and you cannot wait to dive right into it? This is how I felt about my Lessons in Chemistry ARC. Five words to describe this book? Witty, wonderful, quirky, hilarious and intelligent. A definite 5 star read.

Elizabeth Zott may be my new hero. Brilliant and stubborn, Elizabeth isn't going to let the patriarchal expectations of the 1960s get in the way of her dreams of becoming a scientist. The book follows Elizabeth's uphill battle for equal treatment from trying to make it in a male dominated field ('more women want to be scientists?' a character in the novel exclaims) to raising her daughter as a single mother to starring on the runaway hit cooking show Supper At Six. Elizabeth isn't asking much from the people around her, she's just looking for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Elizabeth is a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration. Elizabeth is who I hope I would be if I had grown up in this oppressive time. Heck, Elizabeth is who I hope to be period. Despite what may appear to be a prickly attitude toward others, Elizabeth is endearing and manages to surround herself with a myriad of characters who support her (some even to their own surprise).. There are superb secondary characters, including Elizabeth's precocious daughter Mad and scene-stealer Six-Thirty: dog, babysitter, ex-bomb sniffer and sometimes narrator.

I absolutely loved this novel and have no doubt you will to. I read that this has already been optioned as a series by Apple TV starring Brie Larson with the same screenwriter as Erin Brockovich. Yes please!! This is a must read for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or anyone who loves smart, kick-butt women who break the glass ceiling.. Thank you to #doubledaybooks and #netgalley for this ARC. Pub date is Mar 29, 2022.

A scientist who becomes a tv show cooking star sounded so much like something I’d love but I really struggled to even like this book. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, and I’m not sure if that had to do with the third person perspective or just the fact that the characters felt very one dimensional. My biggest problem was how the point of view kept switching within chapters without any sort of indication, with multiple povs on the same page, and sometimes it seemed like it switched within a paragraph. Maybe i’m just not used to this style, but it made reading the book confusing and I found myself constantly wondering who’s pov I was on rather than being focused on the story. I think this was a case of great concept, but not so great execution.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.