Elizabeth Zott! You rock! You are standing up for everything that I care for and you are a gem… in the mid 60s… when women cannot be anything but a cooking, feeding, raising, washing, cleaning trophy who only smiles and waves. Elizabeth Zott on the other hand was doing exactly the opposite. To be frank, I bet her behavior could still anger the patriarchy today!

Elizabeth was a chemist when women wasn’t taken seriously in the science world. Even thought she couldn’t finish her PhD because of some idiot, she managed to find a job at this research facility. She had been facing all sorts of discrimination every day. One day she had to get in a fight with this other big shot scientist over beakers. Little did she know, that big shot was going to change her life and it wasn’t going to be like “ oh Romeo! You saved me!” I loved every bit of her efforts to establish herself and was furious with 99% of the guys in this story!

I know this might be edited or even be removed from the final cut, but I loved it and I have to share it: “ There was a lot of shop talk from the others about how chemical bonds were formed, broken, then re-formed following something called an "effective collision." Frankly, the whole thing was a little boring. Still, one of the panelists continued to drone on about how real change only ever arose through the application of kinetic energy. That's when someone in the audience asked for an example of an ineffective collision something that lacked energy and never changed, but still had a big effect. Evans had leaned into his microphone. "Religion," he said. Then he got up and left.”

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book for my honest review in exchange.

this book was unique and a little out of my norm for reading, but I'll be honest it was the cover that drew me in! It was a little slow for me to start but really picked up the pace halfway through. The characters were likeable. Definitely worth reading- This one will be all over bookstagram!

This one had me hooked from the very beginning. Quirky characters, dogs that have a vocabulary of 900+ words, aa precocious child and misogyny. This one is well worth the read.

This book was such a great read. I laughed so hard a few times. There's plenty of things to root for in this book, especially since it's set during the 60's when women are trying to progress as much as possible and break free from this "women in the kitchen" idea. Elizabeth is a brilliant chemist who finds herself in a single mom position. I loved the cast of characters. Every single mom needs a Harriett in her life. I loved the writing style and the ARC of this story. Elizabeth finds herself in an unlikely position as a host of a cooking show and brings her love of chemistry to the show. I loved the structure of this and how Elizabeth was informative, supportive, and the lessons for women were empowering. Mad's point of view about not accepting that a women's place is set in traditional roles was so refreshing. This book is a can't miss for 2022!! This was a great debut novel by Bonnie Garmus!!

I had predicted this would be a five star read for me and I'm so glad I guessed correctly! A story centered around a determined woman in the STEM field in the 1960s working extra hard to prove she deserves to work in a career field dominated by men. And Elizabeth Zott does it in style and humor for the reader. I loved every second of it and I'm so glad it took so long to read because I felt like I had time to savor the story and all the characters.

What I liked a lot about this story is how zany it felt being introduced to a new portion of the story told through a new character and seeing how it all comes together in the end. And what a beautiful way it did come full circle. This had equal parts science, humor, and drama that I think worked very well together. You had parts that took place in a science lab and other parts that took place during Elizabeth's time as a host of an evening cooking show. I loved that Elizabeth came off as funny without intentionally trying to be, but when she was angered you were very well aware of it. I think this day in age Elizabeth would thrive thanks to the innovating movements led by female scientists, but in this historical fiction it was very cool to see Elizabeth lead that movement without unintentionally doing so.

Brie Larson is set to star as Elizabeth in the Apple TV adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry and I need to see that set into motion as soon as possible. Thank you to DoubleDay and Netgalley for an advanced copy of my new favorite science nerd book!

If you love quirky but smart characters who will win you over immediately, then Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans were made for you! I felt smarter just reading this book and I also felt a need to be the best I can be as a woman today.
These characters will stay with me for awhile, just as Eleanor Oliphant, Endura Honeysett and Ove did.
Two brilliant lives collide and when their daughter comes along, she is a wondrous creature herself! Add in a dog who knows 981 words and you have a powerful and enthralling story that I don’t want to end. Bravo!

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

I think this may be my new favorite book of all time. The writing style is so unique and seamlessly ties in different perspectives. You never know whose perspective you are going to get next to further build on the story. Plus, unlike anything I've read before we get the perspective of a dog!! Elizabeth is one of the most fiercely feminist characters I've yet to meet. Part historical fiction, part romance, 100% un-put downable.

I loved this book so much and trying to talk about it in any way that does it even the slightest semblance of justice is making my head explode. I laughed out loud. I cried. I fumed. I laughed again. Elizabeth is a spectacularly unique character and Six-Thirty the dog is maybe my favorite creature ever. I love every single thing about this story except that it ended.

Lessons in Chemistry is a knockout of a book - from page one, I was rooting for these characters to win — to find their place in a world that limited them by their gender, that decided they were incapable of full expression of their talents and capabilities due to the genetic randomness of their sex. Through their ups and many downs (and some of those downs needed trigger warnings, fyi) I was truly captivated by this story. Recommended read for those that enjoy tales of "difficult" female characters (which are the best ones, really).

I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. The relationship between the main character and her love interest was great.. I loved all the science references especially once she was on the cooking show..

This book grabbed me in the beginning. I absolutely loved the 60s tv setting and the charming Elizabeth Zott. Ironically, I lost interest once she got involved with Calvin. Elizabeth’s character development completely stalled, which seems like the opposite of what the book claims to promote. The author tells us that Elizabeth doesn’t want to become lost as a scientist in her relationship to her male love interest and fellow scientist, but her sparkling personality at the beginning is lost to us as the reader once Calvin enters the picture. This one fell a little flat for me, but I think it will be a hit for many other readers.

Such an amazing read! Elizabeth is just a truly strong and remarkable women and her story is one of determination and perseverance. Through the lowest lows and the highest highs I was connected to this story and inspired. I loved reading the story from varied POVs because all of the characters made the story so much more colorful. I especially love six-thirty and his protective loyalty. The writing is wonderful and easily flowed. The storyline is excellent and really shows some of the struggles and double standards that women have gone through throughout history. I definitely recommend this book! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

A laugh out loud 1950's take on Feminism. Forget Donna Reed, Elizabeth Zott is coming for Supper at Six, her chemistry driven take on a cooking show.
Elizabeth Zott has plans for her life and they don't include marriage, children, or housewifery in any fashion. The only thing stopping her from being the Chemist that she is is the patriarchy. Settled in at Hastings Labs, she ends up in a scandalous affair with a fellow Chemist with whom she falls in love. With misogyny rampant in her industry, separating her work results from that of her lover is a constant source of irritation. Circumstances and tragedy lead Elizabeth to leave Hastings and subsequently lands her own late afternoon TV series based on cooking. Elizabeth brings the Feminism to the dinner table. Her meals are done as scientific experiments and she speaks to her female audience as though they were intelligent and of value to the horror of her TV producer. Elizabeth signs off each episode by exhorting her audience to take a moment for themselves each day.
The supporting cast of characters bring deeper meaning into Elizabeth's life and dreams while they, in turn, are impacted by her world view.
Without adding spoilers I whole heartedly can say I want a dog like six thirty.
Thank you to Doubleday Books and Netgalley for an ARC.

IDK man, I’m kinda speechless.

I read it slow. I savored each word like melting a Hershey kiss in my mouth to relish in the sweet moment of combined bliss and comfort.

What am I supposed to say…

Honestly. Sometimes it’s hard when you have to write something about a book you just read. How can I fit everything into this caption? How can I express my feelings in a way that makes you feel what I felt? How can I relay the uniqueness this book showed me, not only in the storyline, but in the characters and writing?

The thing is, this book got me from page one. It’s about a chemist/cooking show host in the 1960s. Ikr. What? How could a book about that be so powerful.

BRO I KNOW.

But let me tell you, it hits. We follow a Elizabeth and her daughter and her dog as they try to navigate through love, grief, social pressure, parenthood, faith, being an outcast, following your calling, what it means to be a woman.

I loved every single word in this book. I feel grateful to have read it. It made me feel. Deeply.

3.5 stars
Thinking of how to review this book brings the mixed feelings I had around rating it and reading it in general.

On one hand it was so original, with such a strong, distinct voice; it was spot on – sometimes infuriatingly – with its view of the patriarchy and the unbelievable misogyny that women faced in the 60s. I went into it completely blind, and I felt major Mrs. Maisel vibes (crossed with Sheldon from Big Bang Theory). Elizabeth was so matter of fact and saw everything in such black & white and spoke with such conviction that it was hard to not agree with her. I loved that the dog had a POV and how the author humanized science for all of us.

That being said, it took me a long time to connect with the book and even longer to connect with Elizabeth. I loved the family-she-made around her and I highlighted so much of the book, but it still didn’t truly click. I empathized with Elizabeth, and she made me laugh out loud, but something just fell short. If it wasn’t for the AOTM club I don’t know if I would have finished it on my own.

Quotes: “She looked back incredulously. ‘Sometimes I think,’ she said slowly, ‘that is a man were to spend a day being a woman in America, he wouldn’t make it past noon.”

“She didn’t understand why they couldn’t just treat her as a fellow human being, as a colleague, a friend, an equal, or even a stranger on the street, someone to whom one is automatically respectful until you find out they’ve buried a bunch of bodies in the backyard.”

I can't believe this is a debut. It was so witty and charming and I didn't want it to end.

While it takes place in 1960s California, many of the same fights are still taking place today. The judgment of women (particularly those who have children out of wedlock) is still prevalent. Women don't get paid as much as men for the same jobs. They are still expected to be "good" and quiet and humble and less than. Magazines and media still expect women to adhere to unrealistic beauty standards, all in the name of profit.

I recognize Elizabeth Zott in so many real-life, female trailblazers, and I am thankful for their tenacity and bravery. I hope my generation can continue to chip away at ridiculous societal expectations and make the path a little bit clearer for our children.

Absolutely adorable!

Lovely characters, fulfilling story and a satisfying ending. I have to admit it was a little slow for me in the beginning. I struggled to get into the book, but after the characters began to grow and the story picked up, I couldn't peel myself away. Difficult but real topics were brought up, one after the other, but in a way that invigorated me through anger, confidence and meaningfulness. Everyday, we all have to deal with the politics of our world - whether it's work-related, family-related or society-related. The novel touched on every aspect, with the understanding that not everything can be fixed at once. We need to take it one step at a time, pace ourselves, gather reinforcements and make it a meaningful everlasting change.

I loved the quirkiness of each of the characters. Elizabeth, Six-thirty, Mad, Walter, Harriet, Wakely - all absolutely loveable characters that lightened up the book and made you believe that there was some light in what seemed to be a bleak and lonely world for Elizabeth. Seeing her growth through the support she received, making meaningful change and ultimately getting her redemption was the most satisfying way to wrap this book up. It could not have been paced or written better.

Love!

Lessons In Chemistry is going to be one of those books that will stick with me for a long time to come. In one book description, I saw it described as "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" meets "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", and I can honestly say that description is spot on.

It's part romance, part women's empowerment, part social commentary, and part humor. It covers how the lack of equality of women in the 50s and 60s; the mistreatment, the expectations, and unfortunuately the sexual harrassment. However, Elizabeth Zott's character gives everyone a run for their money and empowers all women to fight for what they want and believe in.

The characters are all wonderfully developed and very quirky. Six Thirty (the beloved dog) was a personal favorite and was certainly a scene-stealer.

Add this incredible book to your 2022 reading list. It will leave you feeling joyful and incredibly empowered.
4.5/5 stars

This book is a total delight. Elizabeth Zott is a scientist in 1950s/1960s in a male dominated industry. She is continually harassed and put down because of her gender, but she is a true feminist hero (although she doesn't even seem to realize it.) The book tracks Elizabeth's career (and the changes that she didn't expect), her short romance, and motherhood (also not expected.) She is a great character and I'd love to hear more from her.