Spotlight: Lessons in Chemistry

I finished listening to the audiobook of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and narrated by Miranda Raison last week and absolutely loved it. The writing was so crisp and funny. The characters were striking and appealing. I spoke about the story with such enthusiasm that the 12-year-old agreed to listen to some of it with me in the car — a first!

The book takes place in 1950s and ’60s California and focuses on Elizabeth Zott, an uncompromising and whip-smart scientist. Her chosen career is unusual for the times, and she faces obstacles from belittling behavior (like being mistaken for a secretary) to sexual assault.

We follow Elizabeth through the ups and downs of her early career and life. She falls in love with a fellow scientist who has trouble understanding why she doesn’t want to get married. She has a child out of wedlock. She is recruited to host a local afternoon cooking show for housewives. It is in the last scenario that Elizabeth really shines. To her, cooking is chemistry, and she spend more time discussing chemical bonds and reactions than recipes. In refusing to talk down to her audience, Elizabeth inspires the women around her and exemplifies a generation who fought for the rights and acceptance that many of us enjoy now.

Other things you can find in this book:

• A kid named Mad

• A dog named Six Thirty

• Odes to rowing

• Men who absolutely underestimate women and men who do not

This is Garmus’s debut, which has already made a big splash. I’m very happy to jump on the bandwagon. I hope to see more from her pen soon.