Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Debut Winner



Lessons in Chemistry

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

I'm really interested to read this one and hope I'm able to do it this month. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to see what other people think of it.

Kristie wrote: "I'm really interested to read this one and hope I'm able to do it this month. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to see what other people think of it."

Well I loved it!

I've been waiting for the hold to be released for a while now (at one point, I was 79th in line). Libby now says I am 18th in line, and my turn may take another three weeks.

I'm way behind my reading schedule and unfortunately haven't had time to read this yet.

I'm happy to see that, Lynn. :)

I think most of my friends have really enjoyed it, but a couple said they were disappointed as it wasn't what they were expecting and they found it slow or even boring. I think they were expecting more humor based on the blurb, so I have adjusted my expectations and I'm still looking forward to it.

I'm in the same place, Nike. I keep adding it to my plans for the month and not getting to it. Hopefully, this time I'll get there!

Currently reading it and I’ve liked it so far

I loved this book! I found the humor hilarious but there was so much more. Given the time period, I have a lot better understanding of the choices (or lack of) that my mom made. Ironically, my mom was reading it at the same time that I was and we had no idea we were both reading it. It made for some great conversations and reminiscing about the time period on her part.

Nyssa wrote: "I've been waiting for the hold to be released for a while now (at one point, I was 79th in line). Libby now says I am 18th in line, and my turn may take another three weeks."

My hold came in. I will start this coming weekend at the latest.

I read this yesterday and really enjoyed it. The main character is oddly captivating. It was a 5-star read for me.

I was able to get the audiobook, the narrator did a wonderful job portraying Elizabeth. I enjoyed this book and the issues that were covered are still relevant to this day. I kept rooting for Elizabeth to succeed.

i am almost finished with this book. so far, i really love it. i think it has great character development. so much that i find myself thinking, “what would elizabeth zott do?” when i’m faced with a predicament in real life.

That's such a compliment, Jessica!

I really want to read this, but just didn't have the time to read it this month. I'm keeping it near the top of my TBR to get to soon.