Lessons in Chemistry BY Bonnie Garmus

Phenomenal story...the prose, the wittiness, the characters, the cleverness of the plot...what a triumph! I fully understand now why this book was such a hit and a crowd pleaser - I think Elizabeth Zott is one of the most endearing and impressionable female protagonists I have ever come across - and her precocious daughter Mad (*curious like Anne and whip-smart like Matilda) found a very special place in my heart along with their dog, six-thirty ... I think this story is also a reminder that nothing worthwhile in life is easy and the endurance gained from struggle can come with some surprising benefits (unlikely friends and well-earned recognition) I also love this quote: "Chemistry is change... whenever you start doubting yourself, whenever you feel afraid, just remember: courage is the root of change - and change is what we are chemically designed to do - so when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge; no more holding yourself back, no more subscribing to peoples' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve...do not allow your talents to lie dormant ladies - design your own future - when you go home today ask yourselves what you will change and then get started" (pg. 360)

This was such a good read! I loved the 1960’s vibes, it was empowering, and beautiful.
I feel like reading it from the perspective of a stay at home mom, which I’m sure was the standard in the 60’s, Elizabeth Zott would seem like a hero. Because she still does to me after reading this in 2025.
She’s a no nonsense, scientist in a male dominated college and she’s just so tough, I love how she stands up for herself and other women.
It’s just a really good book on a woman who has had horrible things happen to her and her devotion to being herself entirely without giving up her dreams despite all the hardships she faces. And 6:30? Literally my favorite thing ever.

Wish I could give it a .5 a point add because I liked it more than a 7 but not as much as an 8 hahaha. Cute book started off slow but picked up towards the end. Glad the character whom always got the short end of the stick won in the end. Would recommend.

So I wish I could give a .5 point because I liked it more than a 7 but not as much as a 8. Haha it was a sweet book that at first started off slow but eventually got good and picked up! I really enjoyed the ending and was very glad the character whom had always seemed to get the short end of a stick FINALLY won! Cute book would recommend again.

I have had a love/hate relationship with this book, and I’m not really sure why, because love won out. I think part of it is that I feel so angry at the horrible way the women in this book are treated, because it’s true in life, too. And I was reading another non-fiction book about women in chemistry and the parallels were uncanny. But this is a hopeful book and the heroine is a strong, courageous woman scientist. We have come so far, but we have farther to go.