Holy cow was this book SO refreshing. I'm all for a strong female protagonist but this Elizabeth Zott is on another level.
This story had the cadence of House in the Cerulean Sea with the energy of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Zott is an inspiration, a trailblazer, and someone women, regardless of age, should be inspired by.
I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for anyone looking to be inspired by a powerful woman.

Elizabeth Zott is a scientist, a brilliant chemist working in a male dominated industry in the 1950s. She gets no respect from her male colleagues, except for the leading scientist, Calvin Evans. Working together, they form both a professional and personal bond. When tragedy strikes , Elizabeth finds ways to carry on with their work, proving to be a force with which to be reckoned. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a moving, enjoyable novel that will stay in my heart for a very long time. I was given an ARC of the book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend Lessons in Chemistry.
#bonniegarmus
#netgalley
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Delightful tale with eccentric characters (which I love). Sort of a romance (which I don't particularly care for) but much about relationships, strong women, and family. Quick and fun read.

Lessons in Chemistry had a great premise. Women in STEM is already rare in 2023 so women in STEM dating back 70 years was probably unheard of during those times. It was an enjoyable read, but I think the story just needed to be a tad more flushed out as it dragged on at some points.

Witty, feminist and heart-breaking at times. Wow, the adoration I feel for this book is beyond. Will I treasure my special edition copy for all of time? Yes! Will I be tuning into the show on Apple? Most definitely. This book is one of those that captured my heart along with A Man Called Ove, The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and so many more. This is one I will recommend till my voice goes hoarse. What a beautifully written debut, Garmus is a master.

Oh, My Heart! I can honestly say I didn’t want it to end! If you have not read LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus, I Highly Recommend It!

‘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.’

Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday (Penguin Random House LLC), for providing me with an eBook of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus at the request of an honest review.

An absolute gem of a novel with clever dialog, lovable characters, and strong female characters challenging the status quo. It came as no surprise that this book comes highly recommended by everyone and I’m so happy to report it lives up to the hype!

Feminist historical STEM novel. I thought this would be funny based on marketing, but it was the exact opposite. I felt bad for Elizabeth most of the time, but I felt that her temperament or personality was sometimes inconsistent - and not in a normal human way. I admired her strength, independence, and drive.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a entertaining story that combines science, romance, and a search for equality in the early 1960s. The story follows chemist Elizabeth Zott, who faces challenges working with an all-male team at Hastings Research Institute.

Elizabeth falls in love with her colleague, has his child, and is fired due to double standards and scandal around her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Her career takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the host of a popular daytime cooking show, Supper at Six, which introduces a revolutionary approach to cooking.

The novel introduces readers to a quirky protagonist and a colorful cast of characters, including the intelligent dog, Six-Thirty, recently retired from the military. The story is an easy, quick read, laced with humor that, while not laugh-out-loud funny, maintains a cute and endearing charm.

However, it’s important to note that Lessons in Chemistry isn’t for everyone. Some readers may find its jabs at Christianity and man-bashing offensive.

It’s clear author Bonnie Garmus has found a considerable audience, though, with the book receiving a Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Novel and a nomination for Historical Fiction in 2022 (it’s also streaming on Apple TV+). The novel’s clever storytelling resonates with many readers, making it a worthwhile choice, especially for those who enjoyed Where’d You Go Bernadette?, The Rosie Project, and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

** I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I was hesitant to go into Lessons in Chemistry after all the hype it got in 2022. I am pleased to say I really enjoyed this novel. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator's interpretation of the text. Elizabeth Zott doesn't want her gender to be a defining factor in who she is, she's a scientist after all, and neither does she want that for other women. I enjoyed her tenacity as a character to combat the misogyny that filled her life and to bring up a precocious child too. I loved the friendship she shared with her showrunner and also Harriet, her next-door neighbor. Harriet and Elizabeth helped to bring out the best in each other.

As published author later in life, Bonnie Garmus showed that it's never too late to reach for your dreams, much like Elizabeth. I'm looking forward to the other novel(s) Garmus will produce in the future.

I really liked this book and the characters. Set in the 50’s and 60’s you are transported back to that time and all of the stereotypes especially about women. Elizabeth wants to be her own person until she meets Calvin Evans at the same lab they work at. They become more than friends yet she does not want to lose her identity by marrying. Life deals her a hand after an accident to Calvin and she must find her way along with a child. These are all funny but real the author takes you through a good journey and one that you come through with her having her own cooking show. Even if that is not easy for her she makes it work along with her neighbor Harriet. Everything about this book took me back to that time which the author does a good job describing. This is a good book with very good characters.

I really liked this book overall. There was just a little something about it that kept me
from giving it 5 stars. But I can’t quite put my
finger on it. Definitely worth the read!

This was Barnes and Noble’s book of the year! There’s a good reason this book was named book of the year. This book has everything. If you like historical fiction set in the 1950’s and 60’s you are in for a treat. The main character was a chemist and of course the man took credit for her formulas. She turned her life around and reinvented herself.

I was actually very surprised by the beginning of this novel. It had a much more dramatic beginning than I anticipated based on things I had read and heard about it previously. I think it is probably a very true scenario for women at that time, especially women going into very male dominated fields. But the issues she faces at the beginning are harder than what I expected and it made me not sure if I wanted to continue reading.

In the end, it's a very inspiring story.

Although I have had access to this book since its 2022 release, for some unknown reason I have not read it until now. I wanted to read the book before the streaming series is released this fall. I am sorry now that I waited so long to enjoy this wonderful, delightful book! Elizabeth Zott is a woman to be admired and copied, although at times difficult to live with. Her life is extraordinary, her family situation unique, her mind amazing. I laughed, I cried, and I experienced all other feelings in between as I read about Elizabeth, Calvin, Mad, Six-Thirty, and everyone else who helps to tell this incredibly unusual story. Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing an ARC.

Is this book worth the hype? Yes.
Garmus lists so many standard, every day issues for women in this book. The main character may be a chemist - but these experiences were not just limited to women working in a man's field.
Elizabeth's best trait - her unfailing resolve to keep going. Just ignore all the crap and keep living your dream. She had so much unspoken strength.
Harriet was an amazing character - I loved how her life had purpose by helping Elizabeth. And her daughter - being raised to be herself. Lovely.
Highly recommend.

I loved reading this book, it was very entertaining! I thought the narrative style was so unique and engaging. I've seen some reviews saying people liked the first half better than the second, but I think I feel the opposite. Overall this was a great experience and I highly recommend for a truly thoughtful and entertaining read!

After hearing all of the glowing reviews for Lessons in Chemistry, I wanted to like it *so much.* As hard as I tried, I couldn't connect with the voice and the way the narrative unfolded. I kept having to pause and backtrack, which was a bit distracted. Given that this book is beloved by so many other people, I'm clearly an outlier. Hopefully the author's next book will be a stronger fit for me.

Lessons in Chemistry was an absolute delight! It's a mixture of several different elements - historical, science-y, mysterious, feminist. And all the elements combined to create something truly spectacular. Elizabeth and her whole family are inherently engaging, heartwarming, and readable. I highly recommend this one!

Lively, heartbreaking, and wonderful historical fiction. Would appeal to all sexes. Is in the top ten of all books I've read.

"There's a dog. His name is Six Thirty. He MAKES the story and he doesn't die!" - my favorite thing to say when recommending to customers