Novel Kicks Book Club: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Hello July. Welcome. It’s lovely to see you.

Dare I say it but the weather might have finally got the memo about it being summer. Oh no, have I gone and jinxed it now?

With July stretching out in front of us there’s the promise of long, lovely summer evenings in places like the garden or sat in your favourite comfortable chair with the sunshine streaming through the window. Maybe relaxing on the beach is more your thing, or you’re counting down the days to that long awaited summer holiday.

I have to admit, when deciding what book to pick this month, I considered doing Christmas in July and a festive story. However, I didn’t want to wish the warm weather away when it has only just arrived.

What a better companion to have than a good book. This month’s novel has been recommended to me by many people and I can’t wait to read it.

This month’s pick is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

Details about taking part in our book club are below but first, here’s a little about the book: 

Our ability to change everything – including yourself – starts here

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, she would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.

But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality.

Forced to leave her job at the institute, she soon finds herself the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six.

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. One molecule at a time.

How our book club works:

Anyone can take part whether you’ve already read the novel or will be reading along with me. The best thing is that you can do it from the comfort of your armchair/sofa/bed.

There’s a question in the comments to start off the discussion. I am looking forward to meeting you there.

About Bonnie Garmus: 

Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter and creative director who has worked for a wide range of clients, in the US and abroad, focusing primarily on technology, medicine, and education.

She’s an open water swimmer, a rower, and mother to two pretty amazing daughters.

Most recently from Seattle, she currently lives in London with her husband and her dog, 99.

Say hello to Bonnie on Instagram. 

Lessons in Chemistry was released by Penguin in May 2023. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Waterstones and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.