Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus

But weathering is called weathering for a reason: it erodes.

It’s one thing to be brilliant, but to be brilliant without opportunity—that was something else.

“One thing I’ve learned, Calvin: people will always yearn for a simple solution to their complicated problems. It’s a lot easier to have faith in something you can’t see, can’t touch, can’t explain, and can’t change, rather than to have faith in something you actually can.” She sighed. “One’s self, I mean.” She tensed her stomach.

Your relatives can’t make you important or smart. They can’t make you you.” “What makes me me, then?” “What you choose to do. How you live your life.”