Welcome to Litsy!

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. Also, it made me laugh.5⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This wasn't what I was expecting when I picked this up, but I enjoyed it.😀

Really liked the first half of this book, then found I was glossing over some of the scientific terminology as it felt repetitive.
However, I liked how there were knock on effects from different story lines, and how it tied up.

Witty and funny - and sometimes sad - story of a 60s female chemist and her untraditional path to TV stardom as the host of a cooking show. Also: chosen family, an intelligent dog, lots of feminism.

Since joining Litsy, I've tried reading more contemporary novels, this being one of them. While enjoyable (almost thoroughly so), I felt a little preached to by Elizabeth, though she was teaching the ladies in the 60s, not this jaded and worn-out 57-year old. I did laugh out loud at parts, found it jarringly sad in parts, and discovered Six-Thirty to be my favorite character (a dog, of course). All in all, a fun-kick-ass-woman read with 💜 and 💪.

This definitely lives up to all the hype. A feminist novel through and through. It is witty, honest and thought provoking. An excellent debut novel, I‘m already looking forward to seeing what Garmus will do next.

I‘ve heard great things about this one!! It‘s high on the tbr stack!

#MarchMagic
#AboutScience

👨‍🔬 🧪🔬

Loved this book!
Love my new Starbucks PSU mug too!

“He listened politely, then commented on her trousers - called them a bold choice. She looked at him surprised, then congratulated him on his own bold choice. There was a tone.” There is indeed a tone - it‘s smart, snappy, witty and a little angry. I very much loved this, and recommend falling for the hype!

New book and a free afternoon to ride my bike to a café and sit and read and people watch.
We‘re not quite there yet - but spring is in the air and I‘m feeling a tiny bit giddy ??⛅️

Currently reading. Only about 90 pages left to go and really enjoying it! What are you reading right now?

Book club pick. It's intriguing... ace cover and nice colours.
Bonnie was in Bath the last few days, signing books. I've not managed to get to see her as I saw Margaret Atwood last night after work

I am LOVING this. My coworker‘s been on me to read it, and my hold finally came in: much like Remarkably Bright Creatures, I‘m sorry it took me this long! Elizabeth is amazing and I adore her. 🥰😍 #lessonsinchemistry #bonniegarmus #librarianpick

I think this was decent read but it was a tad longer than it needed to be. I have yet to understand why it was on all the most popular lists.

Today was way to stormy to swim so I sat on the beach and felt the awesome power and seaspray whilst I listened to Lessons in Chemistry. I love Six Thirty 🥰

Such a beautiful story. At first I was frustrated with how some of the behaviors described in this book seemed so drastically over-dramatized. I thought to myself “there is no freaking way people acted like this.” I quickly realized I was shocked and disgusted because people really DID act this way and it‘s so hard to fathom. This book did a wonderful job in reminding us why women are badasses and deserve every piece of recognition. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ok I get the hype. “No-nonsense” 1960s single mom, precocious child, celebrity rise, canine narrator, all in quaint, confident prose. But (like the ? for “Supper at Six”): who is the audience? Everywoman, based on book sales. Opposing sexism & celebrating women‘s work always need retelling, but this feels fluffy? Paddle pressure when I wanted power 20s. P290 “That‘s what the audience needed to see: a woman who both demanded respect & got it.” 2022

5⭐️ I really liked this book and just flew through this. I think that the book really worked was that the book had a very quick pace to the plot. And it helped that Lizzie was extremely likeable and that there were definite villains. I really loved the sign off that Lizzie had for her show: “Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.” #2023 #fiction #historicalfiction #bookclub #bookreview #bookstagram #feminism

#nominatedforgoodreadsaward #marchmagic @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Power to the ladies!

Summer
Coffee
Blue
Peony
Beach
Coffee
Clue

Tagged

@Eggs - thanks for the tag! #wondrouswednesday

1. Sweat pants from PINK. Combine those with my favorite knit sweater and a cozy blanket and that‘s my go-to cozy reading outfit!

2. I typically only read one book at a time.

Thanks for the tag! @TheNeverendingTBR

I tag @bookaddictsguide @book.jedi

@TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday

Didn‘t really think this book was gonna pique my interest at first, so I‘m a little late on this trend. After hearing so many raving reviews about it and finding out it won an award on Goodreads, how could I not give it a shot? I‘ve been known to love a good feminist agenda comedy every once in a while, so I‘m feeling very optimistic!

I liked this book but did not love it. I had many of the same issues I‘ve seen in other reviews: the cover doesn‘t match the seriousness of the story which is definitely not laugh out loud funny. Elizabeth Zott is smart and resilient but can be one-dimensional at times. And the first third of the book is incredibly sad. On the plus side I loved Six Thirty the dog.

This historical fiction story follows Elizabeth Zott and her challenges as a scientist in the 1960‘s. It has a love story (not a romance though), has a lovable cast of side characters and an awesome dog. The first third of this book is difficult to read, to the point I almost DNF‘d. The story pivots though and becomes a very different story. I enjoyed a lot of this story, but it is a little all over tonally. 3.5⭐️ CW⬇️

This book got off to a rough start. Despite the cover blurb, I didn‘t find it “laugh-out-loud funny.” As a woman in my 50s who has faced my share of sexism in the workplace, it made me tired. And angry. And tired of being angry. Yes, we‘ve made gains since 1960. But we‘re going backwards. It irritates me when young women in my office shy away from the word “feminist,” saying we don‘t need to be that anymore. Yes. We do. Keep fighting. ⬇️

February #BookSpinBingo

I completed 10 books this month along with keeping up with MiddleMarch & Clarissa. My favorite was Lessons in Chemistry. 4 books completed are on the #1001books list & 5 count for #ReadingTheAmericas2023!

#ReadingStats #MonthlyStats

My reads for February 2023. The standout by far is Lessons in Chemistry. Just adored this book for a multitude of reasons. My book club discussion was lively! 8 of these books were buddy reads. #bookclub #janeandtheexcellentreadalong #goldenagecrimeclub #nunlit #pemberlittens #diversecozy #sundaybuddyread
The last 5 books were my choices. Killing of Innocents I have not finished so it is going into March.

Well, huzzah! We were sitting watching TV tonight when we heard a noise out front and my #llwbs box was in the door when we went to see what it was. Only two+ weeks later and it definitely looks like it's been through some stuff. But hooray! And thank you so much, @AmyG - it's wonderful and so perfect for bathtime self-care. The candle and soap smell amazing and the books are perfect. Thank you so much and I hope your trip is going great.

https://www.waterstones.com/events/search/author/5216171?utm_source=wsweeklyB270...

Such a struggle with this one. Maybe I will have to revisit it another time, but I just didn‘t care for it. It was slow to start and I just could not get into the characters‘ stories.

Always be yourself. Unless you can be Elizabeth Zott, then be Elizabeth Zott! I loved this character. This is a brilliant book.

That tiny dot is Bonnie Garmus. Excited to hear her (if not see her). Fab venue at Seattle library too.

This was a good read, but oh, did that book make me angry because of all the injustices the protagonist has to endure.

So far so good! I need to finish putting my books back in my freshly painted bookcase.

You‘ve never met anyone like Elizabeth Zott before. She‘s a chemist, a mother, a tv personality and someone who knows her own mind. What a character! An interesting read and you‘ll find yourself rooting for her successes.

Okay Littens. Please select your favourite cover! Going strictly by cover appeal, I would pick up #6 first (the German edition) and #2 second (the Italian edition).

I had put off reading this because of the cover, even though it was on lots of “best of 2022” lists, including Barack Obama‘s. My mistake! Loved the main character so much! And the humour. And the early 60s setting. And the clever dog. And the fierce feminism. So good!
Audiobook read by Miranda Raisin includes an interview with the author at the end.

Friday Reads February 17: feminism; friendships between women; queer comics

https://youtu.be/T1y-1yQq5mk

Men I Trust - Tommi Parrish
Frizzy - Ortega & Bousamra
Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus
Sometimes They Sang - Helen Potrebenko

I loved this book. I don‘t quite agree with some of the descriptions of it, as parts of the story made me angry just as often as other aspects made me smile, but it was a great story. The distinctive personalities of the characters were wonderful, and it again made me truly appreciative of the women who paved the way for me to lead the independent life I do.

#LitsyBookClub #audiobook

Families aren‘t meant to fit on trees.

I‘ve really been looking forward to this one, and I started listening to it on my evening walk.

#LitsyBookClub #audiobook #audiowalk

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Oh, how I love this book! The plot, the characters, the real 1950s feel. Having grown up in the 50s, it felt so real. It‘s at heart a love story, but love on many levels. Absolutely recommend.

This is a great book about a brilliant female chemist in the early 60's bumping against not only the glass ceiling but the inability to reach the glass ceiling because of being woman in a perceived male world. This tells why the fight for womens rights & feminism was so important. Highly recommend for a history lesson & the sheer brilliance of how the author tells the story of Elizabeth Zott's struggles and persistence that make you cheer her on.

Book 19

I listened to Lessons in Chemistry, a fun novel with feminist themes. Set in the 1960s, chemist Elizabeth Zott finds herself as a single mother hosting a cooking show. The characters are endearing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My sister recommended this book and I really enjoyed it. The story was good and I liked Elizabeth Zott‘s character. She was strong, opinionated, informed and thoughtful. A couple of things that made this book delightful was that we heard the voice/thoughts of other characters, even the dog 6:30. It was a nice addition to the book. Also, the side characters were all well developed and either lovable or deportable. The end left you satisfied too. 👍

New month, new book. Please join us in reading this month‘s selection. Questions? Ask @Graciouswarriorprincess . #litsyevents