Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Usually I do not pay much attention to new book reviews or the hype around new sensations. I like to come around to them in my own time, not because of everyone freaking out about how amazing they are, but simply because I am genuinely intrigued by the book itself. I’m one of those people who just rarely believes in listening to the critics. I like to decide all on my own if I like or do not like something without the professional critics opinions.
When I stumbled upon Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus it had popped up in my feeds for quite a while before I paid it any attention. Every time I opened my Barnes & Noble app, there it was with its cute bright cover shouting out at me. The blonde cartoon character with her hair in a bun and a pencil sticking out the top, chemistry tubes reflecting in her sunglasses. One day I was on the B&N app and there was this book again in my face. I paused for a second and happened to see the byline praise from The Washington Post : “An indelible heroine.” That was it. Just that one little line and my curiosity was now peaked. I LOVE me a good heroine: a new female role model to put on a pedestal and move all women forward in being braver, in being able to love ourselves just as we are, and not allowing anyone to keep us from the mark we were meant to leave on this world. This person today is the character of Elizabeth Zott. The resounding success of this gem of a book by Bonnie Garmus is the only evidence we need for that. And I was so excited to learn recently this wonderful book has been made into an Apple TV+ series starting October 13th!
In some ways, on the surface this story may sound like many others: Elizabeth Zott is a woman in the 1960’s trying to find her way in what is determined by that current patriarchal society to be a man’s field, the world of scientists and more specifically chemists. She knows her dreams of being a chemist will not meet the standards of her society but she does not care. She believes in herself, she believes in her dream, and she is determined. Her approach to all things in life is practical, with no plan for love, marriage, or children but a dedication to her craft and her one true love, chemistry. She finds her brilliance finally being recognized by another top scientist in their field. They are very much alike; he is also pragmatic and practical with his unrestrained passion usually directed towards chemistry. They end up falling madly in love. Not too much later, she finds herself suffering a great loss and with child, both things her practical planner self did not see coming. She takes the “lemonades” she is served and is able to take her love of cooking, strictly using the principles of chemistry, to become a female icon and empower women everywhere to believe in themselves the way she believes in herself. And that is where the true adventure begins.
Tasty little nuggets…
If you are one of the few people who have not read the book yet, I don’t want to spoil it for you. So I am just going to share a few of my favorite nuggets of magic that Bonnie Garmus spins for us in her fabulous tale of Elizabeth Zott.
“Once a research chemist, Elizabeth Zott was a woman with flawless skin and an unmistakable demeanor of someone who was not average and never would be.” (Garmus, p. 3)
“It is my experience that far too many people do not appreciate the work and sacrifice that goes into being a wife, a mother, a woman. Well, I am not one of them. At the end of our thirty minutes together, we will have done something worth doing. We will have created something that will not go unnoticed. We will have made supper. And it will matter.” (Garmus, 2022. p. 217)
“Throughout the process, Elizabeth, her face serious, told her viewers that they were up for this difficult challenge, that she knew they were capable, resourceful people, and that she believed in them. It was a very strange show. Not exactly entertaining. More like climbing a mountain. Something you felt good about, but only after it was over.” (Garmus, 2022. p. 235)
“She strode to her easel, marker in hand. CHEMISTRY IS CHANGE, she wrote. “Whenever you start doubting yourself,” she said, turning back to the audience, “whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and changes is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.” (Garmus, 2022. p. 360)
Buy or Borrow?
This one is totally a BUY! I’ve already read it through twice and will definitely be adding it to my yearly reread list.
Where can I get this deeply thoughtful book, you may ask?
Find a hard copy in your local library in the Fiction section (IBSN: 9780385547345). In my area, Stanislaus County in Modesto, California, you can download the Library app and get everything in a one-stop shop. I cannot say enough about how great this app is for really taking full advantage of everything our local libraries have to offer.
Get the audiobook. If your local library uses apps like Cloud Library or Hoopla, you can connect that app to your library card and check out the Audiobook for FREE!
You can download the book through Audible which is subscription based. They offer a free seven day trail period and you can also purchase individual books through the app if you prefer not to have a subscription service.
You can also buy the eBook through Apple Books or again, you can also get it FREE from your local library if they use Cloud Library or Hoopla!
You can buy it directly from Penguin Random House on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
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