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)

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.

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".

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.
Edit

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!

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!

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.

Bonnie Garmus did us all such a favor with this book. I absolutely adore Elizabeth Zott and I feel privileged to have been able to spend this time with her. On top of the absolutely stellar strong female lead, this story is packed full of interesting supporting characters, both loveable side kicks (hello, 6:30 has my entire heart) and despicable villians are present and it makes for the most engaging book I've read in a long time. I had one of the biggest book hangovers of my life after reading this one and I sincerely hope there is more to come from this author.

Rating: 5
Author: @bonnie_garmus_author

I don’t even know where to begin. I loved this book from start to finish. I was invested in Elizabeth’s story from the first page. This book would be perfect for a book club because there is so much to discuss. I could honestly talk about it all day but I wouldn’t want to take away from you experiencing this book for yourself. I’m still in shock that this was a debut novel because it’s better than most novels out there. The writing, pacing, character development was all done perfectly in my opinion. I learned so much from reading this book about love, loss, friendship, and standing your ground. I now know some interesting things about chemistry and a whole lot about rowing! This book has made me want to try out an erg machine!

Sometimes I struggle with strong female characters being the main character. I feel they can be written too unrealistic and unrelatable but I am so happy Elizabeth wasn’t like that. Elizabeth was strong and sure of herself but she knew she had weaknesses and she had her vulnerable moments. She wasn’t afraid to admit when she was wrong and she always stuck up for what she believed in no matter what. My favorite character by far was Six-Thirty! His thoughts were written perfectly and always had me smiling.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. In my opinion, it was perfect and I would not change one thing. It’s one of those books that will make you feel the emotions deep in your core. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

I absolutely adored this book about Elizabeth Zott, a feminist and scientific genius trapped in the world of 1960's Mad Men style domination. With quirky characters you root for, interesting learning experiences involving rowing and chemistry, and a look at an awful world we are backpedaling into, I loved this book. Six Thirty is the hero we all need.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus will probably be my favorite read of the year. I absolutely loved Elizabeth and the rest of the characters in the book.

It the early 1960's and Elizabeth is trying to work her way up in the chemistry field, a place that is filled with men, and not many women. Her plan isn't to get married or have a child but life has other plans. Elizabeth ends up a single mother out of wedlock in a world where that is frowned upon. She ends up the star of a television cooking show and is doing more than just teaching the women watching how to cook.

I loved all the different points of view of this book, it felt like you really got to know the characters. This book had all the feelings in it as well, It was funny, witty, empowering, sad, and frustrating all in one fabulous read!

I don't feel I can say anymore than what everyone has already said. Only that I loved how true to herself Elizabeth was and how she stood her ground.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Fun, light, summer reading. I didn’t find it as brilliant or groundbreaking as I expected but it was an okay read. Probably best reserved for travel or the beach.

I absolutely adored this book. Looking at the cover and description I thought I was going into a fun romantic book about a chemist who fights back against patriarchal norms. While I did get that, this book is so much more. It deals with heavy topics such as grief, suicide, and rape but does so in an open, honest, and blunt way. I appreciated the way Garmus wrote and talked about these issues, while hard to read for some, it was simply brutally honest to me.

The strength of the main character goes without saying. I was constantly impressed by her intellect, humor, and overall good nature. I saw a lot of myself in this main character, which is why I think I loved her so much.

This book was hard to read at times, but it was witty, thought-provoking, and honest. 5 stars from me. I'll be on the lookout for more books by this author.

This book was wonderful! The characters were complicated and never on-dimensional. While frustrating to read about, the blatant sexism was realistic and heart-breaking. I also loved how the book showed the complicated female relationships. Elizabeth wasn't popular, and most women found her threatening. But in the end, many of them realized their common ground and that they were fighting the same fight, so to speak.