I loved the author's extra-intelligent, dark, original sense of humor, and I fell in love with her characters. The story of Elizabeth brought out so many complex feelings.

A mixed bag of genre bending thoughts and actions that ultimately was a good, not great, read for me. Set in the 1950s and 1960s, quite a bit of the adverse actions in the book are rooted in the inequalities of men vs women in the workplace, even one as stratified as a chemistry professor. Many of the interactions, funny or not, remind me of scenes from "Big Bang Theory" and Shelton's reactions to everyday life. As Elizabeth struggled with the fact that she is more intelligent than most of the people she meets, she also had problems with everyday actions that required more than a high IQ to solve.
I did enjoy the book, not as much as I expected, but that's always a chance you take when reading a mega-popular book.

Informative and fun read full of facts and love

Actually enjoyed the screen adaptation more than the book but the story is what made it so

It’s been a long time, since I enjoyed a character as much as Elizabeth Zott. I cheered and chuckled as she makes her way through the 1950’s and 60’s as a scientist. This is Ms. Garmus’s debut novel – and it is a winner. I eagerly await her next.

Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry blends wit and warmth into a compelling narrative. Set in the 1960s, the novel follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist whose career is stymied by the blatant sexism of her time. But Elizabeth is no ordinary protagonist—she’s brilliant, refreshingly candid, and remarkably determined.

Garmus does a great job of weaving together themes of gender inequality, scientific discovery, and personal resilience. Elizabeth’s journey from a frustrated chemist to an unlikely cooking show host who uses her platform to teach chemistry is inspiring and entertaining.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with a modern twist.

Interesting read - I enjoyed the characters Elizabeth and Calvin as well as Harriet. Book was a little slow for me at times. Scary to be reminded how women were treated in really any capacity during this era. Loved the comeuppance at the end.

This was my best read of 2022. I have raved and raved about this book ever since! I absolutely loved the journey of Elizabeth, and Mad and Six Thirty so, so much. It was bold and daring and unapologetic and also so sincere and vulnerable. I felt so seen at times, as a professional in a male-dominated field. This book is so special to me and I will be thrilled to see what Bonnie Garmus cooks up next!

I loved this book! It's scientific yet understandable to non-science folks, and it's an amazing feminist take without being too white-feminist, which is a challenge for books set in the mid-19th century.

Totally and unequivocally loved this book and have recommended it to everyone I know! My favorite parts had to be the bits with six thirty!

Historical fiction that will appeal to a wide swath of readers. Garmus easily balances humor and heavy topics and brings to life the incomparable Elizabeth Zott.

Set in the 1960s, chemist Elizabeth Zott becomes the reluctant star of a cooking show entitled “Supper at Six” and uses the show to promote women’s rights. A highlight of the book is Zott’s fabulous dog 6:30. A screen adaptation of Garmus’s wildly successful debut is on Apple TV and stars Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott. I absolutely loved this book.

Lessons in Chemistry was not my personal cup of tea, though I did see what it was trying to do and where it was trying to go. It felt like it focused on an perpetuated stereotypes of woman in STEM, and pitted woman against each other. Some of the actual chemistry was a bit off, but I did like how cooking was described as a kind of chemistry. The dog was my favorite character - I really liked his POVs. The point of the story centered around found family, but I felt like it missed the mark in quite a few ways in terms of plot and character development.

It took me longer than I would like to fully immerse myself in the story but once I was in, I was totally locked in. I adored Lessons in Chemistry, even when it broke my heart I adored it and it did that on MULTIPLE occasions. I did feel like it ended rather abruptly so I would’ve enjoyed more closure but at least it was a happy(ish) ending. I would love to read a sequel story but regardless, Elizabeth Zott and her found family will always have a place in my heart.

5 out of 5 wine glasses

I really enjoyed this book. I am no scientist, and I'm certainly not a female scientist from the 50s/60s raising a child as a single mother. However, the story was written in such a way that you could empathize with Elizabeth and her circumstances. I would have liked to see at least one more supportive male figure for her as I find it difficult that there wasn't at least one level-headed male around that time who wasn't a complete jerk.

Loved Six-Thirty!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for an advanced copy of Lessons in Chemistry in exchange for an honest review.

Really delightful book. This review is pretty late since everyone has read it and loved it, but the main character is charming. The book itself is captivating and does a great job of capturing the 1960's feel and the struggles that women faced in that time period.

Absolutely a great book for book clubs, definitely a crowd pleaser that most people would enjoy. Highly recommended.

I truly hate the US cover of this book because I thought was a rom-com for the longest time and I don't usually gravitate towards those books right away. I need to be in the right mood.

However, this was an absolutely amazing book independent women who challenge societal norms and expectations. It was funny, emotional, and absolutely inspiring.

Set in the early 1960s, 'Lessons in Chemistry' is the funny, quirky story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist working in an all-male team at Hastings Research Institute. Elizabeth is unquestionably brilliant, but she is not taken seriously or given equal opportunities by her male counterparts. When she meets Calvin Evans and they fall into a weird and surprising relationship, the scrutiny from their colleagues increases. But this book is not at all a love story - it's about Elizabeth's journey through a world that isn't remotely ready for an opinionated, pioneering woman like her. Years later, Elizabeth finds herself as the star of a highly popular cooking show, using science and chemistry to teach viewers how to cook.

This is such a fun debut novel that combines humor, sarcasm, and a unique dry voice to tell a remarkable feminist story. While on the surface this might feel like a fairly light-hearted book, it also captures experiences of childhood trauma and sexual assault. I felt like it was a shame though that in an effort to keep Elizabeth's character unique and spunky, she sometimes came across as devoid of emotion. Some of the other characters were funny and interesting, and I particularly loved Six Thirty!

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. This book will live in my brain rent-free. I loved the powerful female lead main character, Elizabeth Zott. She speaks her mind and often says the wrong thing at the wrong time, but you love and respect her for it. She is such a one-of-a-kind catch, and you really root for her and Calvin.

This book is full of humor and heartbreak. Definitely recommend.

As a women in STEM, the main character in this book is portrayed perfectly. I enjoyed this book so much!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

I absolutely LOVED this book!! That is pretty obvious, in that I read it in 2 days. My only question, having seen the TV series first, is WHY didn't they just make the book into the TV show? I guess in 2023 there HAD to be a racial edge, and some discrimination, but Harriet is such a wonderful character, and her story goes along with Elizabeth's trials and tribulations so well, I hate to see her not in the show, or so changed as to be unrecognizable. And the relationship between Elizabeth and Walter is so much richer in the book. Even Amanda comes off as not such a brat and has a much bigger part in the book, not just the catalyst for Elizabeth and Walter Pine to meet.

My advice is, and has always been, if you see a show that has been "adapted" from a book, see the show FIRST, then the book will be so much better. The other way around only leads to disappointment.

BUT READ THIS BOOK because it is GREAT!!