Join a book club that is reading Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel!

MAP: Reading Rutabagas

Join Massachusetts Avenue Project’s Book Club, the Reading Rutabagas, to collectively read and discuss books related to our mission. Book topics and themes will include social justice, urban farming, food systems, and the environment. We are a Buffalo West side community book club!

Our mission is to nurture the growth of a diverse, accessible, and equitable local food system, promote economic opportunities, and empower youth through social change education.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

Meet Elizabeth Zott: a one-of-a-kind scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.

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Published Apr 5, 2022

400 pages

Average rating: 8.15

9,791 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Anonymous
Jul 05, 2024
8/10 stars
What a fun read! It does take some willing suspension of disbelief, but it's a nice fantasy to think of having a superheroine like Elizabeth Zott to put men in their place back in the '50s and '60s.
RSheehy
Mar 28, 2025
9/10 stars
Group enjoyed the read and good discussion on sexism and struggle as a women to be heard in work place .
Anonymous
Jan 14, 2025
4/10 stars
After reading several thoughtful negative reviews I had decided Lessons in Chemistry was probably not for me. Then my book club chose it as our October pick so I decided to go ahead and read it for myself. I have to say as a Christian it saddens me that this book is so popular with it’s clear message that atheists are the smart ones and anyone who believes in God is at best naive and at worst corrupt or just plain stupid. The ever present atheist themes aside I found the novel overall mildly amusing and enjoyed Elizabeth and Calvin’s sweet romance. The story itself demonstrated well how women in science were not taken seriously in that time period. I did think Elizabeth’s constant feminist lectures a bit unnecessary.
stbarrier
Dec 12, 2024
8/10 stars
a little too sciencey for me at times but i really enjoyed this book. goodness men were/are pigs
LTC
Nov 21, 2024
Book #62: Abby & Ro both nominated, discussed via Zoom!

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