Another 5-star book for me this year! I didn’t think I’d come to enjoy this book, but I sure did! Year was set in the 50’s-60’s, and often when a book starts off in that decade, I tend to love it more! Elizabeth is a brilliant chemist and a single mother to a 4-year-old girl. Forced into a career in a cooking show, finding herself using and teaching her skills in chemistry in cooking. Absolutely loved how strong Elizabeth is as a character in this book, she’s always stood her ground around the male (world). I got a couple laughs out of it, parts of it were sentimental and emotional. Beautiful and empowering book! Very refreshing to read, and now I know a bit of Chemistry/Science :P I’ll be reading more from Bonnie Garmus!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Doubleday Canada for the eARC!

I finished this one on the weekend and it was such a unique and inspiring read. I absolutely loved that it took place in the 1960's and the main character Elizabeth was a strong independent women who believed that women were anything but average, that they could excell in anything they put their mind to. The premise of the book was so orginal and once I got into the story I kept turning the page to see what Elizabeth was going to conquer next. I couldn't help but cheering for Elizabeth as we followed her journey. I especially loved how she brought chemistry to cooking and although the producers thought her show would be a flop she believed in what she was doing.

In the story we follow Elizabeth, a strong bright young women who is taking life and gender stereotypes one step at a time. Studying for her PHd an incident occurs where her word isn't taken as seriously as a males and she is kicked out of the program. That doesn't detour her dreams of being a chemist though. She goes on to work at a research institute meeting and starting a life with a man she refers to as her soul mate. However life keeps throwing curveballs at Elizabeth and she finds herself alone, unwed pregnant and fired. Elizabeth is resilient though and she makes her way back on top, maybe not the conventional way, but her journey is unique and so inspiring to those in the novel, especially the average housewife and her daughter

This one was a surprise! Let me just say that I loved it! Though, for me, it didn’t start off well. It was the jumping around of narrators and some of the narrators themselves that bothered me. A dog narrating a scene where a character dies really didn't work for me. It felt too light for a dark moment. However I had seen such good reviews by others on Instagram, I thought I’d stick it out to make sure I wasn’t missing something. And I was! I got used to the narration and loved the storyline. Elizabeth Zott was an amazing character! The last half of the story was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Despite struggling a bit with the six thirty's narration I especially liked the inclusion of the authors dog in the acknowledgments so sweet, and suiting.

This book is fresh. Chemist Elizabeth Zott is a super smart scientist . But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. She met Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with--of all things--her mind. True chemistry results.
But 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.

This book is laugh-out-loud funny and clever.. Scientist's view is always different and right into the point. Plus the dog, omg six-thirty.

If you like the big band of theory, you have t check this out. Highly recommended.

Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant, dedicated chemist. She’s serious about science, and works for a scientific institute where she is one of the few women actually working in a lab or doing research, as it’s the early 1950s, and institutions, and the men who run them, believe that women are too stupid to understand science, and really are happy being housewives. (Even if housewives really don’t do anything all day, compared to the serious work men do. *heavy sarcasm*)

All the women working at Hastings Institute, and any other company at this time, are constantly undercut, humiliated, and some are also verbally and physically assaulted.

That’s the reality Elizabeth Zott has to work in, and she’s soundly hated for not just being a secretary, and for insisting on her own opinions and her right to producing quality work in her challenging field.

Elizabeth is also unconventional in her interactions with others, refusing to obfuscate or hide her intentions, speaking firmly, in declarative sentences, and never apologizing for taking space within a lab or for applying herself to solving difficult, scientific problems.

Calvin Evans works at the same institute, is a brilliant researcher, and after two unusual meetings, the two fall totally, utterly in love with each other, and begin a relationship that feeds them both personally and professionally, as their many discussions, both at work and at home (after moving in together sans marriage) affect them profoundly, as well as their research.

Then, everything falls apart, and Elizabeth is left completely bereft, unemployed, and pregnant. After struggling, and taking on freelance work vetting and correcting the research reports and papers of her former and much less intelligent colleagues at Hastings, Elizabeth’s and her dear, precocious daughter Mad’s (short for Madeline) lives are changed by the friendship of a neighbour, a tv producer, and a cooking show.

A cooking show where Elizabeth teaches women 1) the chemistry occurring while one prepares a meal, and 2) how to prepare healthy meals for their families using unprocessed ingredients. Along the way, her no-nonsense approach to cooking, and her injection of what to some might feel are radical ideas about women’s roles and the restrictions placed on many in society based on their gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, cause some anger and opposition in her viewers and the show’s advertisers. But, more importantly, Elizabeth garners a passionate, loyal following amongst many, who feel that she views their work in the home seriously and respectfully, which is a totally unconventional idea for the time. (Actually, it’s still fairly rare for the running of a household to be seen as serious, difficult and exhausting work amongst those making policy and rules.)

I loved this book! Elizabeth is such a wonderful character; her confidence in her abilities is so refreshing, and I loved that she is a scientist, as I so rarely see women in fiction working as research scientists. And here we see a research scientist having to fight constantly for resources and funding because she’s a woman and because the men around her are too frightened by her intelligence to accept her right to be amongst them. Also, she’s unconventional in so many ways, and is a single, unwed mother to boot.

The characters are outstanding, from Elizabeth, to the often hilarious Mad, the conflicted and kind Harriet, the long-suffering but ultimately stalwart Walter Pine, the obstetrician/rower Dr. Mason who gets Elizabeth back into rowing and doing something for herself, and the wonderful Father Wakely, who shows such kindness to Mad.

And we cannot forget the inimitable Six-Thirty, former bomb sniffer, now gentle companion and child minder, cooking show sidekick, and dog of many, many words. He’s lovely, and adds sweet moments to a frequently funny, moving, and all round wonderful book.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.

What a fun read and an ode to the women who challenge the norm and push for their own paths. This book is set in the 1960s, where we meet Elizabeth Zott. She's a no nonsense, strong willed, and exceptionally bright chemist during a time where her field is dominated by male counterparts. On top of working in this environment she is living through an era where women are fighting for validation and to stand at the same level as their male peers.

Reading this you cannot escape the sarcasm and quick wit Garmus infuses into Elizabeth.

Highly recommended read for the readers looking for a fun meet-cute story with a hat tip to feminist lit.

This was an excellent read! It went against the grain yet was funny and superbly written!

Just a personal note: I have to say that I prefer any digital arcs in the kindle format over the NetGalley app. Not being able to change font size really hinders the experience, as well as books expiring before I can read them.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Garmus and Doubleday Books for providing me with an eARC of this publication which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

This book started off slow and I wasn’t sure where it was going to go. I haven’t been so happy to have stuck with a book for a long time. Deliciously (pun intended) written, and the chemistry lit me up. It resonated with me because as a young girl, I was not encouraged to lean into science. I love that Elizabeth brought science into the kitchen - something I do with my own boys. Well done, Bonnie Garmus. I can see why this was snapped up for series development.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

While I enjoyed my overall experience with this book, I have to say that it was not the book I was expecting; it’s marketed as “a delight” and “laugh-out-loud funny,” but these descriptors are misleading. The narrative voice is absolutely compelling and dryly funny, but there are several very upsetting events in the first 50 pages or so (with a lasting thread of sadness throughout the whole book) which really discouraged me from wanting to pick it up again. I think this is partly a pacing issue for me; the chopped-up timeline meant that I knew more about the characters’ heartbreak at the start of the book than I knew about the characters themselves.

As the story unfolded, I did become attached to our capable and innovative chemist protagonist Elizabeth Zott, as well as her precocious daughter Madeline and their brilliant dog Six-Thirty. Heartfelt and genuine, Bonnie Garmus’s writing really shone, but ultimately I found the plot became predictable and perhaps drawn out too long for my own personal taste. This is undoubtedly an engrossing story with some really powerful moments, but there were just some things about it that didn’t work for me.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant scientist, but it is the 1960s and the only thing expected of her is to look pretty and keep a nice home. EZ meets and falls for another scientist, Calvin Evans which sets in motion a series of events that leads to EZ becoming the star of a syndicated cooking show. This is a funny and at times heartbreaking story. I adored the dog. Look for this Mar 29/22. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So original, yet so relatable. Bonnie Garmus is a genius! In the 60s, scientist Elizabeth Zott finds herself alone and pregnant. This garners all kinds of comments from the people in her life (the well-intentioned and the decidedly not so), but Elizabeth lives her life the way she lives it, refusing to do any different. While this novel is historical fiction, unfortunately, the messages within still ring true today. Elizabeth's no-nonsense, straightforward ways endear her to the reader, and with a cast of equally interesting characters, there's so much to enjoy about this book. I love how even the dog Six-Thirty expresses his opinions! Thank you Double Day Canada and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

WOW!! This book is a must-read. It explores how Elizabeth tries to change things for women. It explores many relevant issues that are so important, especially as a woman who navigate and still looking for that equality in various aspects of our everyday lives.

This book was really empowering and I don’t think that I’ve read something that made me feel like that in a long time since It ends with us. Although it’s a different topic, this book left me with a feeling of pride and satisfaction.

Honestly enjoyed this a lot more than I expected.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!!!

4/5 stars!

<b>Lessons in Chemistry</b> is set in the 1960s and is told in the perspective of Elizabeth Zott. Elizabeth is not your typical woman in the 60s, as she doesn’t truly subscribe to the societal expectations of women in performing the solitary role of housewife. She is a highly educated chemist and single-mother to Mad Zott. When the opportunity arises for better pay, she soon slips into the role of a cooking TV show host, Supper at Six. Chemistry is the basics of life…and cooking, so Elizabeth soon is teaching the masses basic chemistry and encourages other women to push for their goals and dreams.

I really enjoyed reading about Elizabeth and her steps in following her aspirations, despite societal pressures pushing her in other directions. She is a smart, brave, and courageous woman pushing the boundaries of society to show that women have a place in the workforce. Elizabeth is also quirky, unique, and often funny. She reminded me of Sheldon from <u>The Big Bang Theory</u> due to her quirkiness and seeming lack of understanding (or caring may be a more apt descriptor) of certain societal cues. She really works to the beat of her own drum, regardless of what others think.

Six-Thirty was a hit in my books. He is Elizabeth’s dog… and is a failed bomb detection dog. He exhibits a huge amount of intelligence, emotional or otherwise. I loved reading about him, and found him to be a great addition to the story!

My one point of contention with the story was that I found it a bit slow-going in the 30-60% area. I felt like the story was stagnating and that nothing was really pushing me to keep reading. I am happy I persevered (as I did consider DNF-ing), because once the story picks up its easy to get caught up in!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Doubleday Canada, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own. Upon publishing of this novel, I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada.</i>

Thank you Double Day for your suggestion to read Lessons in Chemistry. This was not a book I would have chosen for myself but when I received the recommendation I thought I might as well give it a try and I'm so glad I did. Perhaps I related to it a bit more because I too grew up in that era, an era when women became nurses but never doctors and secretary but never the boss. Elizabeth Zott struggles to be the best she can be, the best mother, the best chemist but it is an uphill battle. Elizabeth, Calvin and Mad are such real characters. You get pulled right into their story. This is a book that will make you laugh; it will make you cry; and it will make you angry. But the strength in the characters gives you hope that things have and will continue to change for the better.
#NetGalley#LessonsinChemistry

Lessons in Chemistry is an absolute charm to read. It is quirky, funny, a little offbeat and wonderful! The story of Elizabeth Zott, a young female chemist in the 1950s, the novel follows her as she tries to get a job in her field but experiences sexual discrimination at every turn. But Elizabeth will not take it lying down and tries to fight the systemic barriers she faces. She is a wonderful character, prickly at times but always with a kind heart. The plotting and pacing are well done and the secondary characters - including Mad, Elizabeth’s precocious daughter, Six Thirty, Elizabeth’s dog who understands over 900 words!, Harriet, Elizabeth’s older friend, and Reverend Wakely - add lovely depth to the novel. I ADORED this novel and highly recommend it! Wishing the author so much success with this charming, funny, full-of-heart novel which I hope will be the hit it deserves to be!

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada snd Netgalley for an early reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured and loved this book. What an eye opener for anyone living after 2000. It's hard to believe how women were treated in the work force especially in the world of science. While there is still a way to go, it has come a long way. Lessons in Chemistry has quirky characters that you will fall in love with. They are brilliant, determined and very matter of fact right down to 6:30 the rescue dog who explains life as he sees it. You may even pick up some Science as this is the way I believe many would learn. ( I even asked my Science teacher in Holistic Nutrition, could she relate the chemistry to how we would use it in our practice. She looked at me like I was crazy while a substitute teacher did just that and we never forgot the Krebs cycle.) This is a book that will have you thinking for years to come.

Children, set the table.
Your mother needs a moment to herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for the e-ARC of one of my new favorite books.

The easiest 5 stars I have ever given. I am so jealous of anyone who gets to read this for the first time. This was truly one of the best reading experiences I have ever had. I am usually able to write my reviews pretty quickly but I am having trouble putting my thoughts into coherent words this time because I loved this book SO much. I have never read anything quite like this and I’m sure I never will again.

Ok, here goes. My very thought was that the cover is so fun. For some reason it reminded me of watching Bewitched reruns after school in the 90s. Then I read that it was about a no-nonsense, feminist, chemist-plus-cooking-show-host, I was sold. I absolutely loved the premise, and the setting (hello 60s!), and the book itself did not disappoint.

Without giving anything away (I am trying to avoid a spoiler tag), this book has the most perfect cast of wild-yet-real characters. From Elizabeth herself to her great love (the brilliant yet famously "unlikeable" Calvin Evans), to Elizabeth’s indominable mini named Mad, to the family dog named Six Thirty (who helps narrate the story from his own POV), each one is a perfect representation of how our differences are what make us special.

After reading, my nostalgia for Bewitched pretty much applied to the cover only, but while reading I thought of the perfect comparison (for anyone who cares comparisons): this book is what it would look like if Frederik Backman wrote a rendition of the 1980 movie 9 to 5 (based on the Dolly song), but with Temperance Brennan as the protagonist.

That being said, the book is also completely original and in a league of its own. It is as serious as it is zany, as brave as it is light, as silly as it is smart, as infuriating as it is satisfying. It tackles difficult topics like abuse, sexism, addiction, death, and more, but was somehow still whimsical, inspiring and charming throughout. I recommend jumping in with an open mind and heart.

This book is an absolute gem and its inevitable praise is so well deserved. I do not have one single critical thing to say or one single thing I would change. If you can’t tell from my review, this has become a new favorite of mine. I am so hoping Ms. Garmus comes out with another book soon!!!

I loved all the witty science banter in this book! Elizabeth and Calvin have the sweetest relationship. 🥰 Also, their dog Thirty-Six has the most adorable personality!

This story takes place during the 1960’s. Elizabeth is a female chemist, the only one in her department. The misogyny is this book is maddening but it does not deter Elizabeth from standing up for herself. Her male colleagues expect her to make coffee, assist, make copies and do other “women’s” work. Elizabeth is not so easily swayed and is seen as obstinate by her colleagues. Her headstrong attitude and their inability to appreciate her worth leads to her walking out of the lab in search of a better opportunity.

Fate leads Elizabeth to Walter, a television producer who is looking for a host for his new cooking show. He needs a pretty face to host the show and she needs the money. Elizabeth refuses to follow the script and she incorporates chemistry practices and terminology into the recipes. The cooking show is an utter disaster or is it? 🤔

Thank you to @netgalley and @doubledaybooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#bookadoration #bookstagram #canadianbookstagram #netgalley #lessonsinchemistry #bonniegarmus #doubledaybooks

Although a little slow to get going, Lessons in Chemistry is a fun must read! I’d categorize under historical fiction.. Women have made some progress how they are viewed/valued in society and in the world of Science but there’s still a long journey ahead.. Bonnie Garmus writes beautifully and takes us back to a time that ‘Baby Boomers’ have probably heard their mothers tell stories about ……...Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Bonnie Garmus for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

I wanted to love this book. I went in with such high expectations from other reviews but honestly I debated numerous times if I should even finish it.

The main character Elizabeth, was not a character I found to be very likeable. She’s a scientist in 1955 at a time when women were not scientist but instead of making it easier for other women in her feet steps I feel that she is just constantly making it harder. She is supposed to be very intelligent but I actually found her not to be but not in a funny way like other reviews led me to believe.

I was confused by the way some chapters seemed to happen in different years. One paragraph would be about the present and then it would jump back and it was sometimes hard to follow and I’d find myself scrolling back to see where I was.

This book also takes place from multiple peoples point of views but never tells you at the beginning of the chapter. At one point you are even getting the dogs point of view.

Overall this book is way to long and drawn out. I felt at times that I was being lectured to about chemistry and found myself skimming the pages just to get to the end, if I hadn’t needed to review it I wouldn’t have finished it.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest opinion.