From the Bookshelf of 2025 Reading Challenge…

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus

Start date: May 1, 2023

Finish date: May 31, 2023

Discussion: September 2025 Group Read

Why we're reading this: Group Read for May 2023
[close] Group Read for May 2023

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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of -14 topics — 187 comments total

September 2025 Group Read

The House in the Cerulean Sea: Pre-Reading Discussion
By Winter , Group Reads · 7 posts · 33 views

last updated Sep 17, 2025 05:32AM

The House in the Cerulean Sea: Reviews by 2025 Reading Challengers
By Winter , Group Reads · 4 posts · 29 views

last updated Sep 14, 2025 10:27AM

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What Members Thought

Jan 08, 2023 Barbara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: feminist, american, 2023-reads, contemporary-fiction

This book was an amazing surprise that I was somewhat prepared for. It is the story of Elizabeth Lot, a chemist, and single mother. The stories of the degradation of the contributions of women, in this case scientists, was not news to me. In 1968 I started university at an institution that was predominantly male, and primarily a college for engineering. The also had a strong fine arts, including architecture and drama, school. I was in liberal arts which was at that time small. I do remember one ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2023 Maria Luke rated it really liked it

I was 20% done listening to this audio book and was ready to throw in the towel. It was so frustrating reading about Elizabeth’s constant need to fight the sexism and double standard in science and, really, life, but I loved from that point on. I loved her straightforwardness, her quirky behavior and her attitude about raising a daughter in a time when it was difficult to be and/or raise a woman. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it. There is a tiny amount of language and sex if y ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 08, 2023 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, library-book

I saw a lot of buzz around this book this year and am glad I finally took the time to read it. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a wonderful job creating distinctive voices for the various characters. Even Six-thirty the dog had things to say. Though this book is fictional, it would be hard to come away from reading it without feeling sadness and anger at all the lost potential of women over the decades and centuries.

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 07, 2022 Anita rated it it was amazing

This was an amazing book on every level. The characters are so real (especially 630!) and there is a wonderful combination of humor, sadness, insights into life, and every possible emotion. The main character is a scientist who deals with the discrimination against women in the workplace during the 1950’s. As the story progresses, she ends up as a single mother who hosts a television cooking program. I would probably classify this as contemporary fiction. This one is definitely in the top 10 boo ...more

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