What an entertaining yet serious read. Highly recommend for any book club!!

"Lessons in Chemistry" brought together the feel of historical fiction, romance, mystery, and drama in a totally unexpected yet thoroughly satisfying way. I found myself up late trying to finish this one!

As I followed the tragedies and triumphs in Elizabeth's life, I couldn't help but be thankful that I was born decades after her character was.

I wanted to cheer on Elizabeth and her genius daughter as well as several other lovable characters. Normally I don't like "dog-character" books - but wow this one was fantastic! There was just the right touch of Elizabeth's pet dog's voice to round it out. Don't be overwhelmed by the "chemistry" part either - just like "Lizzie", the author makes its few actual appearances approachable enough for anyone to understand.

5 stars!!

It's not often I pick up a book that has a cover that looks like this one - these always scream "light and frothy" to me and I'm not really one to enjoy light and frothy in a book. Except for right now, when I'm feeling the need to read things that maybe aren't so heavy as so much as what I read which is why I picked this book for my first read of 2022.

I was so right and also so wrong about this book.

It was just the right book for me right now. But it wasn't altogether light or frothy.

It's funny, very funny. There's a dog whose thoughts we can hear, a small child who is beyond precocious, and a kitchen that is transformed into a laboratory. But Garmus also touches on sexual assault, religion, marriage, education, race, greed, parenthood, misogyny, and death. That cover, though, tells you that, in the end, good will prevail.

It seems that I'm drawn to characters that are tough for the other characters in the book to like (Olive Kitteridge, Margery Benson (Miss Benson's Beetle), Eleanor Oliphant) and Elizabeth Zott is no exception. Here is a woman who could have used her beauty but preferred to use her brain; plus, her social skills leave more than a little to be desired. Her insistence on being taken seriously because of her brain makes men uncomfortable; her looks and insistence on not settling into the usual female roles makes women distrust her. But she's had a terrible childhood, has grown up in an era where women are not valued, loses the love of her life, and finds raising a newborn overwhelming.

Enter a cast of characters who will get her through single parenthood and finding a way to put food on the table (here by literally putting food on the table!). So many fun characters who are so much more than filler.

Are there stereotypes? Yes. Is there a dog who knows almost 1000 words and whose thoughts we hear? Yes. Is there a four-year-old who is reading Norman Mailer? Yes. Are there an astonishing number of coincidences? Also, yes. I didn't care. I was 100 percent willing to suspend credulity and forgive stereotypes. I so wanted these characters to find happiness and for Elizabeth to be given the chance and the respect that she deserved. And while I may have mentioned that good will prevail, it doesn't necessarily mean that this book has the kind of happy ending you may be expecting. But it does have exactly the right ending. Which made for a perfect beginning of 2022 for me.

Five big stars
I love books with quirky, intelligent characters. So, I was immediately drawn to Lessons in Chemistry. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the early 1960s, back when women were a rarity in the field. Headstrong and independent, she refuses to tow the line expected. I came more than a decade later, but men’s attitudes hadn’t changed much in the 70s. So, I totally related to her, especially her relationship with Six Thirty.
The book follows her as she becomes a single mother and then the star of a tv cooking show. There is a dry humor to the book. Actually, the humor gets more broad as the story goes on. I started off chuckling. Then snorting. Then laughing out loud to the point my husband insisted on knowing what I was reading.
I sometimes have a problem when dogs are anthropomorphized. But it didn’t bother me here, even when his thoughts were included. I only wish my dog understood 900 words.
The writing here is smart, descriptive, engaging. I found myself chortling over phrase after phrase - the sheer exactness of them. “Every day she found parenthood like taking a test for which she had not studied. The questions were daunting and there wasn’t nearly enough multiple choice.” Not only did I love the immediate family of Elizabeth, Madeline and Six Thirty, I adored Mrs. Sloane, Dr. Mason, Rev. Wakefield, Walter. While the book is humorous, there’s also a lot of emotion packed into it. I adored the ending. (I also loved that Garmus thanked her dogs in her Acknowledgments.) I even loved that I learned a thing or two about cooking.
I can’t recommend this enough. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Garmus comes up with next.
My thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an advance copy of this book.

I wanted to like this book, it started well with two interesting characters who captured my attention, but then very quickly the story took a strange turn; one of the main characters is killed off and this is where I felt the story went off the rails.
The book is centered on Elizabeth Zott, a chemist, who faces challenges and struggles both professionally and personally. Elizabeth is an uncompromising scientist, but as a woman in the 1950's she is not respected, and often taken advantage of. Out of necessity, Elizabeth winds up hosting a daily cooking show that she turns into a chemistry classroom, teaching not only chemistry but also self-esteem to her many female viewers.
There were parts of the story that I enjoyed, especially the way the author included the viewpoint of the dog, but overall I felt the story was chaotic.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advance reader copy of this book.

Lessons in Chemistry by
Bonnie Garmus

"When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started."

This quirky novel, set in 1960s Southern California, revolves around a female chemist and a whole cast of men who don't think women are as wise as their male counterparts.

Elizabeth Zott, a single mom, is determined to change the era's existing beliefs surrounding pregnancy, marriage, careers, and roles. As the host of a successful television cooking show, she has her chance.

With a delightful and humorous feminist bent, readers will rip through this London-based author's debut novel. Ms. Garmus proves, at age 64, it's never too late.

The book has been optioned by Apple TV, with Brie Larson to star.

Hooked me from the 1st page, not entirely a romance, not exactly a comedy, not explicitly a tragedy these extraordinary women fight to be true to themselves in a time when women received little respect for the essential services they provided inside the home and no access to respect in careers outside the home.

Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for this ARC: I enjoyed this book tremendously. Garmus, writing her debut novel at 64, presents a compelling story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who is stymied by the social constraints of the 1950's, yet remains true to her ideals throughout. She achieves stardom as a cooking show host--speaking to women with accuracy, honesty and complexity. Zott has experienced pervasive sexism and stigmatism for being a woman in science, a single, unwed mother and not pandering to the socially accepted norm for women. Garmus presents Zott's saga with wit and subtle humor, strong characters--including her prescient dog, Six Thirty. An enjoyable read and thought provoking. The barriers for women in STEM haven't gone away and this book is an excellent debut and a book that should open eyes to the treatment of women that unfortunately continues to persist in the sciences and other fields.

This amazing book is a must read and don't fear the word chemistry in the title. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1950s and 1960s during the telling of the story and that is not an easy place to be. Women are meant to be housewives and mothers, not chemists, and not only do the men in the story make this difficult, they seek out to submarine her. She is brilliant and unconventional and uncompromising, and when she has a daughter, that is how she raises her. She ends up hosting a cooking show to make ends meet and single handedly encourages a generation of women to pursue education and understanding of the world around them. After all, chemistry explains everything. Some of the passages in the book are narrated by Elizabeth's dog, and although that sounds too cutesy for this book, it completely works. This dog is as brilliant as his owner and incredibly caring and protective of his humans. Do not miss this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Don't let the cover of this book lull you into thinking this is a light and frothy rom-com. It is a beautifully written love letter to the women of the 50s and 60s who fought (and fought and cried and fought) for equality in the workplace and home. It's for every woman who showed the world you don't need to earn just an Mrs. from university -- you can do what you love (even if it is *gasp* science), and you do not have to settle for living in the shadow of a man but can work in tandem with love and support. This book is about love, friendship, hurting, and determination and I loved it. I hope to see more from Bonnie Gamus. Bonus points for cleverly writing form many perspectives without muddling the reader. I especially loved reading Six Thirty's perspective.

This book! I will be screaming about this book from rooftops when it comes out in April. Utterly charming and completely original with a poignantly feminist bent... it was unlike anything I've ever read before. I absolutely loved it and could not put it down. The characters are memorable and unique, the ending satisfying, and the plot interesting and engaging. I LOVED IT!

I received an ARC of Lessons in Chemistry from NetGalley in exchange for my review.

I loved this book. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a fiercely intelligent scientist fighting against the small-minded misogyny of her time (the mid-20th century). She is not one for small talk or frivolity, but is sincere and affirming to those in her inner circle. Elizabeth meets misfortune repeatedly over the course of the story, but always pushes ahead and fights her way through.

The supporting characters, including her love Calvin, daughter Mad, dog Six-Thirty, and neighbor Harriet, are fully drawn and relatable.

As I was reading, I was pulled from one event to the next and never felt the action of the story had stalled, but it also occurred to me that the craft of creating a character with such confidence, innate ability, and occasional blind spots cannot be easy. It would have been unsurprising to find Elizabeth unbelievable or unpleasant, given her inflexibility and self reliance, but she is sympathetic and charming in a still somewhat distant and unknowable way.

Today’s professional women owe a debt to real-life trailblazers like Elizabeth, and while we still have a way to go to achieve true gender equity, sometimes we need a book like Lessons in Chemistry to remind us how far we’ve come.

It's hard not to fall in love with many of the quirky characters in this unique novel. Elizabeth's dog, Six-Thirty, and daughter, Mad, were definite standouts. I loved that this premise is so different. If you're a rower, you'll appreciate the detailed look into that sport as well.

“Cooking is Chemistry”.
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist. And a single-mother. And the wildly popular tv show host of a cooking show.
It’s also the early 1960’s when women aren’t supposed to be any of those things.
Elizabeth falls I love with one of her colleagues, a rather famous chemist named Calvin Evans. Elizabeth doesn’t believe in marriage so as things sometimes go, she ends up with a baby. And no husband. Which gets her fired because it’s just not allowed in courteous society. Funny because misogyny is allowed but, ok.

Wow this book! It’s witty and bold, the levity giving light to some very dark issues and scenarios. I love that it highlights the beautiful concept of found family. I laughed, cried and raged my way through this story. Particularly the dog, Six-Thirty, if you read this book for nothing else, read it for that dog. Because I swear you’ll need tissues and your heart will grow three sizes too big.

This book was a pleasant surprise. The characters were well thought out, both likeable and unlikeable and sometimes redeemable. It definitely fits in with the rest of the books it was described as being similar to.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was a fun, quirky novel I couldn't put down. It's set in the sixties, one of my favorite eras to read about. I completely fell in love with Elizabeth, a brilliant scientist born too far ahead of her time. And don't even get me started about six thirty the dog- he is hilarious!!! Highly recommend!

This book was so refreshing to read- it itched a part of my brain that I didnt know I needed (that sounds weird but that's the only way I can describe it!) It was out there, just as our main character is and filled with so many different emotions. It was smart, funny, SAD and absolutely enthralling. I will recommend this book to everyone and anyone, I already know it will become one of the top books of 2022!

I loved this book! Elizabeth Zott is an incredible character who is uniquely herself and stands up for what she believes in During a time when women should be home raising kids. The side characters including her dog, six thirty, her daughter, mad, and all others we’re wonderful. I loved learning her back story and that of her lover, Calvin. Parts were so sad, funny, smart and endearing. There were just so many gems and words of wisdom throughout. I expect this will be a huge hit come April!

Have you had a five star read yet this year? Here’s my first: Lessons in Chemistry. It doesn’t come out until April, but I predict that this will be a huge hit with so many of you and feels like a novel that could be a celebrity book club pick. I’m looking at you @readwithjenna!
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Elizabeth Zott is a victim of time and circumstance pursuing a PhD in chemistry. Men in the 1960s aren’t taking her seriously, instead claiming her work as their own. Instead, Elizabeth surprisingly (to no one more than herself) becomes the host of a cooking show that is wildly successful.
Elizabeth is ahead of her time and shines so brightly. She is surrounded by an amazing cast of characters including her dog, Six-Thirty, who may have just become my favorite literary canine. This book is funny, smart, fresh, and innovative. I don’t want to spoil any of it, I just want all of you to read and experience the joy for yourself.

I loved, loved, loved this very important book. Both women and men everywhere should read it. So many women's issues were dealt with in this book. I found myself highlighting things I wanted to remember or re-read, as well as things I learned while reading it. My only complaints are writing God's name without the capital "G", and using further in place of farther. In American English, the two are not interchangeable. Due to some family issues right now, I don't have time to write a traditional, professional review, but I will recommend this book highly.

I really loved this book and all the characters in it! This book has the perfect mix of humor, vulnerability, honesty and family dynamics. Can not recommend it enough!