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Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel | Bonnie Garmus
"Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America's most beloved TV cooking show. 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 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers.) The only man who ever treated her-and her ideas-as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He's also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry. But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it's the early 60s??) and the star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's singular approach to cooking ('take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride') and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching women how to cook, she's teaching them how to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist"--
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Sci.Cricketts
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Pickpick

A very emotional story in terms of what women have to do to fight to be heard. So many obstacles that could have been avoided if given the voice.

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perfectsinner

Finally starting my Christmas present

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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Have you ever read a book that drove you to utter rage… the want to throw the book across the room at the injustice against the characters? I am awestruck by this book, it pulled on all my emotions like I was a character right alongside Elizabeth. If you‘ve had this one on the back burner or a TBR do yourself a favor and just pick it up!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one! 3w
36 likes1 comment
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Deifio
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Borrowed from my mum. Can't wait to start!

julesG Enjoy! I really liked it 4w
19 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
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Happy Tuesday! Today's questions are inspired by several of my friends that are currently in the process of moving. It got me to thinking which is always a dangerous thing. Have a fabulous day! My answers:
1️⃣ April 2022 I sold my house in Asheville and moved to my lake house in SC.
2️⃣ Lessons in Chemistry

Want to play? @Eggs @dabbe @Read4life @Cupcake12 @BookmarkTavern @Susanita @TheBookHippie @Born.A.Reader @Ruthiella @AmyG @JenReadsAlot

BookmarkTavern Thanks for the tag! 💕 4w
GlassAsDiamonds It surprises me there aren‘t more thrillers / cozy mystery/ detective fiction featuring GRIZZLY moving related MURDERS … suppose the suspense would be limited 🤣 4w
Ruthiella Thanks for the tag! The last time I moved was 20 years ago. I‘m glad to be in one place for a stretch. Moving is stressful! 4w
See All 6 Comments
Eggs Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻 4w
AmyG Thanks for the tag! 😘 4w
dabbe Will do; thanks for the tag! 😘 4w
56 likes6 comments
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451Degrees
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Goodness I‘m not even 20 pages into this book and I am up in arms for Elizabeth!! Seriously the women before us had such an uphill climb trying to have a career without being belittled by men😠😤

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Bec_lectic
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Pickpick

I waited so long to read this and finally got the opportunity! A good story with some good characters. It‘s an anthem to all strong woman out there trying to pave their way in the world. I loved the science aspect of it as I work in a lab as well. The author dabbled a little bit about chemistry but not so much as to off put readers without an interest in Chemistry. Overall, just a good story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Birdsong28
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Out on 29/2/24!!

How beautiful is that😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Very tempted by this especially as it has brand new content from the author.

RebelReader Way better cover than the one I read! I saw the author in person and she hated the first cover too. 1mo
julesG Me, too. 1mo
40 likes2 comments
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Night_Reader
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Pickpick

3.5/5 🌟

On my second try with this book, I almost gave up after 100 pages (again), but persistence paid off as the second half improved. I understand the varied opinions – it's a book that evokes different reactions. I didn't have strong feelings either way, but I'm pleased the ending clarified a few things and enhanced my opinion of the book.

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Martta
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Pickpick

I loved this! Such a interesting combination of heavy themes and humor that made me smile. I would love to read more books like this! Characters were written really well and I felt the main character really inspiring.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one 🧡 2mo
Suet624 You‘re right. I wish there were more books like this. They‘re hard to find. 2mo
22 likes2 comments
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tjwill
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Pickpick

I read this for a book club and I‘m so glad I did. Elizabeth Zott, Calvin Evans, Mad Zott, amd Six-Thirty are all great characters with so much depth. I love how Elizabeth did the best she could despite the sexism of a male-dominated job (and society), and that she raised Mad to be uniquely herself.

AvidReader25 I thought the miniseries did an incredible job bringing the book to life! 2mo
tjwill @AvidReader25 I don‘t have Apple+, so I haven‘t seen the series, but I‘ve heard good things! 2mo
AvidReader25 @tjwill We just got it and I‘m so glad I finally got to see it! 2mo
41 likes3 comments
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Martta
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Spoiled myself a bit today with chocolate cake as a desert after lunch. 🥰🍰

This book makes me smile! 😍

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Martta
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Lunch & book ❤️

Ruthiella Looks delicious 😋 2mo
17 likes1 comment
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Melkyl
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Pickpick

I went into this not really knowing what it was about. I knew it had been a buzzy book, and my book club picked it. It is much more serious than I expected from looking at the cover, and I really liked it. I think it is an excellent reminder to women today how hard women in previous generations had to fight to get us the rights that some of us take for granted.

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Shaaaannnn
Pickpick

10/10. I LOVED this book. I‘m not a chemist but I do have a degree in environmental science. I couldn‘t imagine what it would‘ve been like trying to get my degree in the year 1960. This is an important read that absolutely everyone should read. 💕

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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“Courage is the root of change—and change is what we‘re chemically designed to do.”

#Womeninscience
#NewYearNewBooks

One of my all time favorites 🔬🧡✏️ 🐶

Megabooks Agree! Watching the series with my parents and it‘s so good! Very faithful to the book. 2mo
Eggs Wonderful book 👏🏻👏🏻 2mo
74 likes2 comments
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Martta
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New book started 🤩

Megabooks Enjoy!! 2mo
21 likes1 comment
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Shaaaannnn

They were more than friends, more than confidants, more than allies, and more than lovers. If relationships are a puzzle, then theirs was solved from the get-go- as if someone shook out the box and watched from above as each separate piece landed exactly right, slipping one into the other, fully interlocked, into a picture that made perfect sense.

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ReadWithHannah
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Pickpick

Loved the storyline - a few twists, humour, and sadness. The fast speed of the book kept me engaged. My only criticism is that it is not realistic - it is only a story as this kind of feminism and female empowerment sadly never would have happened in the 60s. Then again, for me, the story would never have been as good without these aspects and Elizabeth‘s not so subtle tips on live TV. The narrator of the audiobook was perfect too!

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Just.Linds
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Pickpick

2nd book of 2024! So far have read some really great fiction with solid plot lines. Adored all characters in this and love that their were different point of views intertwined! Six-thirty has my heart and made me squeeze my pups extra tight💓

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ReadWithHannah
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Nearly two hours into my first audiobook of 2024 and I‘m hooked. I‘ve heard great things and it‘s already living up to them. Bring on a positive start to the New Year!

3 likes1 stack add
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bookandbedandtea
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And my winner is... Lessons In Chemistry 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I loved Elizabeth. And Six Thirty.

Sharpeipup Have you been watching the show? 3mo
bookandbedandtea @Sharpeipup No, I completely forgot they made a show! Are you watching? Is it good? 3mo
Sharpeipup I‘ve watched a few episodes and it‘s a pretty good adaptation. My non-reader friends are loving it! 3mo
27 likes3 comments
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Mximlay
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Pickpick

It took me a while to warm up to this book and get into the story. I‘m so glad I persevered because by a quarter of the way through I was hooked. As a non-male scientist I understand the world EZ was fighting to be part of. This story made me angry, happy, sad, frustrated, etc. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just.Linds What reading notebook is this? I love it! 2mo
Mximlay It‘s the Always fully booked reading journal from littleinklings 2mo
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TheSpineView
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#12DaysofChristmas @Andrew65

My favorite book in August was Lessons in Chemistry. Wonderful story and outstanding prose! Highly recommend. In my top 5 for the year.

Andrew65 Still to read this. 3mo
46 likes1 comment
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melissajayne
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My favourite book for March was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. #12booksof2023

Andrew65 I still have to read this. 3mo
16 likes1 comment
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PaperbackPirate
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May was so good I can‘t pick just one!

I read Lessons in Chemistry after the author came to my local bookstore. What an incredible woman, the story follows suit. Fun fact, she hates the cover! It‘s misleading, I agree.
The Wind Through the Keyhole was my final stop on my Dark Tower journey. Just a character from the series telling stories. But wow.
The final book I read in May was Becoming by Michelle Obama & it was also 5 stars amazing!

Andrew65 Two very popular books. 3mo
willaful I was so surprised to learn my mom had read because I would've thought the cover would turn her right off! But she probably saw a review of the British edition. ;-) (edited) 3mo
PaperbackPirate I see why now @Andrew65 ! 3mo
PaperbackPirate It‘s funny how a cover really can influence you, right @willaful ?! 3mo
42 likes5 comments
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kspenmoll
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Andrew65 This is one that has been on my TBR for too long, definitely one of the hits of the year. (edited) 3mo
Bookwormjillk Good one 3mo
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Smlambert725

“Courage is the root of change—and change is what we‘re chemically designed to do.”
#December2023

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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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A colleague told me this was in her Top 5 books of all time. I like her enough that I was willing to give it a try. After a few months of library holds and delays, I'm starting this today.

Bren912 This is a great read!! 3mo
Cupcake12 I really liked this. X 3mo
48 likes2 comments
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Chiperskee
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Making dinner can feel so monotonous but this idea gives new energy to a daily task.

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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

I‘m late to the party here, and maybe it‘s a case of right book right time, but this is one of the best books I‘ve read in ages. I don‘t normally go for ‘quirky protagonist‘ stories, but something about this one just works. Sure it‘s a bit obvious about its commentary on social norms especially around women and work, and maybe some plot points are a bit obvious, but it‘s a story told with a lot of heart, that really captured me. Loved it.

DebinHawaii It made my “best of” list this year. I really enjoyed it too! 3mo
ClairesReads @DebinHawaii glad to hear you loved it too. Any other great recs from your best of list? 3mo
DebinHawaii @ClairesReads Project Hail Mary (the audiobook) was a delight. I really enjoyed The Bandit Queens & Weyward too. 3mo
rubyslippersreads I‘m enjoying the book much more than the TV series. 2mo
ClairesReads @rubyslippersreads I haven‘t watched the series but I am avoiding it because I liked the book so much I expect it won‘t measure up 2mo
42 likes5 comments
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JackOBotts
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Using as my December #bookspin mood pick. This book was great. Highly recommend.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3mo
28 likes1 comment
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Bookwomble
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My food-chemist wife came home with this mug ?‍? Slightly more acceptable to use at work than her, "Sorry if my face said Fuck Off" mug ?

AmyG Ha! 4mo
Ruthiella 😂😂😂 4mo
Deblovestoread 😂💜 4mo
See All 7 Comments
julesG 🤣🤣 4mo
dabbe 🤣🤣🤣 4mo
Aimeesue 😂😂😂 4mo
Megabooks Love this!!! 😂😂😂 4mo
43 likes7 comments
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Ahw06
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Pickpick

My heart. This book takes you through so many emotions absolutely flawlessly. The way the author tackles some triggering subjects and flows effortlessly into the winding tale of the characters lives is incredible. This book definitely deserved the Book of the Year award it received last year.

I ended up purchasing a copy tonight before I finished and I‘m so glad I did!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Blueberry
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TheBookgeekFrau Holy moly that is long 😂😂 4mo
julesG Never noticed it was such a long sentence. 4mo
ShyBookOwl Whoa! 4mo
44 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This book had everything I love- science, feminism, found families, and food. Great read.

annahenke Such a wonderful book. 4mo
74 likes1 comment
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Djspens
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Pickpick

I doubt she knows as many words at Six-Thirty but she makes a cute book model! I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Yes, there were a few eye roll moments but I found it had a great message and was entertaining!

Jari-chan I'm sure she knows all the right words 😉❤️🐶 4mo
JenReadsAlot Adorable! 4mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one! Especially six-thirty 🐶 4mo
See All 6 Comments
ShelleyBooksie What a total cutie ♡♡ 4mo
AmyG Awww what a cute photo! 4mo
rubyslippersreads She looks like a mini Six-Thirty. 3mo
55 likes6 comments
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kricheal
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Starting this next 🎧

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It‘s soooo good!! 4mo
Megabooks Loved it! 4mo
rubyslippersreads I just got 3 free months of Apple TV, so I‘m looking forward to reading/watching. 4mo
kricheal @rubyslippersreads Yes! That's what finally pushed me to read it! I want to watch the show. 3mo
59 likes4 comments
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Megbert
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Pickpick

Hilarious, frightening, sad, heartfelt and powerful. I was a bit of a late bloomer with discovering this book but tbh the timing was great for me. Sometimes I wonder how far have we actually come with the #feminist movement and closed this book with a sob and deep cry by thinking not far enough! But onwards and looking forward to watching the tv series now.

8 likes1 stack add
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HettyG
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Pickpick

You think this book is going to be fluffy and silly and humorous until you find yourself recognizing parts of your own life in it and crying.

I doubt many men have read this book, my own husband would never deign to read anything like it (never mind, I‘ve left him) but more should. I‘m glad I gave in to the hype, it‘s worth it. 💜

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one!! 4mo
38 likes1 comment
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SaunteringVaguelyDownwards
Pickpick

Read for our faculty book club! I've seen the praise and critiques from this group, and did agree with most of it, but in the end I did find it an enjoyable read.

SaunteringVaguelyDownwards I have to say, though, that I actually like what the TV series is doing better than the book! Recasting Harriet as an educated black woman fighting for the community and having her call out Elizabeth for her privilege helps expand the feminist message, and seeing how Harriet and her husband negotiate the primacy of their careers mirrors the struggles I imagine Elizabeth and Calvin would have had if he had lived. 4mo
9 likes1 comment
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BookNAround
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I‘m probably the last person on the planet to read this but it‘s for one of my book clubs this month so I‘m finally getting around to it. (They likely chose it to reread before watching the show because I can‘t imagine too many are coming to it new like I am.)

robinb It‘s quite unique. 😊 4mo
Librarybelle I‘ve yet to read it! Maybe I‘m the last person…😂 4mo
Bklover have it on my kindle and still haven‘t read it. 😊 4mo
75 likes3 comments
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Judybskt
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1. I talk to myself when I‘m home alone.

2. Tagged. Loving the tv series too.

@TheSpineView #two4tuesday

TheSpineView Loved the book but have not seen the TV series. 4mo
Judybskt @TheSpineView it‘s really good! 4mo
15 likes2 comments
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Coleen
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Pickpick

I folded to the pressure on this one, mostly because I knew the TV series was being released. I typically avoid books with covers such as these, since I can only do rom-coms every so often. I knew this one was supposed to be not exactly in that genre, but with a more serious undertone. Wouldn‘t say I loved it, but I liked it. May get some backlash for this, but even though I liked Six-thirty‘s name, I felt the dog was an unnecessary character.

julesG I honestly hate the US cover. Both the UK and German editions are much more appropriate. 4mo
julesG Have a look at @Lindy's post with the different covers: https://litsy.com/p/aWlXdGVHcDVS 4mo
Tamra My thoughts changed on the cover. Initially I hated it for the incongruity, but then I realized it‘s a good fit because the MC is critically judged for being a woman, especially an attractive one. Assumptions & and all that….. (edited) 4mo
tpixie @julesG oh! @Lindy found even more covers! Fun! I had only seen the US UK in German ones previously. @Coleen I agree the US looks too much like a romcom Once I looked at it closer, I did appreciate the beakers in the glasses and the pencil in her hair. But the US cover otherwise misrepresents the book! 4mo
27 likes4 comments
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HettyG
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He thought about the people who designed these dresses; how, like bomb manufacturers or pornography stars, they had to remain vague about the way they made their livings.

Calvin

This book is giving me eye rolls but also lots of chortles and so far the chortles are outweighing the eye rolls 😏

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HettyG
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She looked down on him like a battlefield medic assessing whether or not he was worth saving.

Elizabeth Zott 🤘🤘🤘

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HettyG
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I am giving in to the hype surrounding this novel and TV series….. if I hate it I will absolutely be blaming all you Litsers. I don‘t know why I don‘t get one of the cute covers on my kindle, some whim of the Amazon robot gods I suppose.

steph_phanie I hope for your sake you enjoy it! It was one of my least favorite reads of the year. 😬 4mo
Djspens I just started it, grudgingly gave in to the hype. Mainly because I do want to watch the series, and the book must always be first lol! (edited) 4mo
22 likes2 comments