Questions About Lab Girl

by Hope Jahren (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (13)

I really want to read this book but I don't know how to. Could somebody help me?

Bruce Arthurs Hey, snarky folks, if you click on Ellie XD's profile, you'll see she lives in Dubai. Makes getting English-language books more difficult.

Here's a lin…moreHey, snarky folks, if you click on Ellie XD's profile, you'll see she lives in Dubai. Makes getting English-language books more difficult.

Here's a link to a "Living In Dubai" website for expats that might actually help: 8 Best Bookstores In Dubai. Good luck, Ellie.(less)

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I have a 14-year-old who is a veracious reader, incredible writer, and who has a very scientific mind. I am pretty sure I'm going to get her this book. Is there any content that would be inappropriate for a girl her age?

Hope Jahren I am so glad you asked that! The Junior Library Guild, which is a widely-used collection development service for school and public libraries, has asse…moreI am so glad you asked that! The Junior Library Guild, which is a widely-used collection development service for school and public libraries, has assessed Lab Girl as appropriate "For Grades 9 & Up" (rating = NH). To read more about the criteria that leads to an NH designation, read here:
http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/boo...

However, you know your child best. Lab Girl does not contain any depictions of sex, drugs or violence, but it does contain frank discussions of both mental illness and childbirth, as well as a generous amount of profanity. I hope this gives you the information you need, and thank you for writing!(less)

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I was very disappointed within the first 30 minutes of listening to this as an audio book because of blatant factual errors. First, Minnesota does not have snow on the ground 9 months, especially in Mower County. Second, power lines do not buzz in the dog days of summer because of humidity. It's the cicadas! I'm somewhat enjoying the book but am wondering what other misinformation is being perpetuated?

Connie The buzzing noise is corona discharge and it's louder when it's been raining or humid because water in the air increases the effect. Google corona dis…moreThe buzzing noise is corona discharge and it's louder when it's been raining or humid because water in the air increases the effect. Google corona discharge to see more info on how this works, but it's a real thing. These days with so many buried power lines it probably is more likely to be cicadas, but I definitely still hear both. And I have pictures from my parents' house in S MN with fresh snow on the ground in October and in May just from the last couple years alone, and the last bits can take even longer to melt off in the woodsy areas, even down south, so it's not like there are giant drifts 9 months a year, no, but the book doesn't say that there are. May be a tiny bit of literary exaggeration on that one but I'd hardly call it a "blatant factual error." Hope that info is helpful in your enjoyment of the rest of the book! (less)

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I've read Lab Girl already but...I'd like to know if an AUDIO CD will be published for this book? I love listening to CDs while putzing in the kitchen and my kids tell me I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to absorbing all the minutia of tech options though I have an IPhone and a Mac. This book deserves to be digested again.

Susie Yes, there's an audio version, read by the author but I wish I had read the book instead.…moreYes, there's an audio version, read by the author but I wish I had read the book instead.(less)

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I am considering this book for my church's book club. I need to know if there is any swearing or sexuality in the book as these are majorly frowned upon by group members?

Kelley Snorklefoxie There is some swearing. I don't usually like swearing as there are so many more descriptive words out there! Like calling a lady, real doll! A doll is…moreThere is some swearing. I don't usually like swearing as there are so many more descriptive words out there! Like calling a lady, real doll! A doll is an empty headed plaything. So much more fun, don't you think? Overall, one of the wonderful aspects, of this book, is a woman's perspective. Imagine being in a class of 50 students, in Quantitative Analysis, Chemistry. You look around and see two other girls. That was my class. If being in an Organic Chemistry lab. Yep three girls, rest men. Now imagine being in your career, trying to seriously get your name connected to accuracy, truth, valuable publications and contributions. What a struggle it is! There is a lot of that, in this book. I consider this extremely valuable for all people and especially parents of young girls. God created groups of us, with specific talents and women often feel pressured to not go into the scientific fields. After all, they have to blaze their trail, right to be what they were born to be. Rather like Jesus struggling to pass on his beliefs when no one knew who he was, isn't it.(less)

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