Lessons in Chemistry served with Brownies

 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and served with Brownies 

This book has been everywhere!   I mean when it came out in April, i think most of the book community read it within the first 2 months.  BUT...  I waited for the library book and just finally checked it out.  

This is the story of Chemist, Elizabeth Zott.  It's the early 60's and women weren't scientist or at least not many women were.  Her male colleagues cannot get past the fact that she is a woman and an attractive woman.  She faces ridicule and even assault.  But, she isn't going to give up.  Along comes Calvin Evans, a brilliant Chemist who falls in love with her .  He recognizes her genius and the struggles she will face.  

Jump ahead (don't want to spoil this for you) and Elizabeth is now a single mother and is once again trying to be taken seriously in the science world.  She gets offered a cooking show and decides to use as as a platform to teach chemistry.  Her cooking show is about the science of food.   

It is hard not to love Elizabeth.  She is stubborn and determined and you are rooting for her.   The side characters are what really make the story.   Six Thirty , the dog is my favorite.  Of course he is super smart and we get to hear his inner thoughts.  You also have Mad, the daughter, Harriet, the neighbor, Walter, her TV producer and Mr. Mason who rows with her.   I hear the movie rights have been sold and I can completely see this coming to life on the large screen. 

Several times I did get frustrated with the amount of discrimination she faced.  I had to remind myself that this was the 60's but also wondered if women in science still feel this.   There is a pretty violent scene in the beginning with a college professor that I felt was slightly brushed over.  

Overall, this was a great read.  I would give it 4.5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2  

There is a scene where she makes brownies when she  is stressed.   There is a lot of food in the book but for some reason this one stuck with me.  I decided to make brownies but I have to confess that i don't

make brownies from scratch.  I have made them but to be honest the box brownies are just as good.   I'm all for making things from scratch when they are dramatically better but this...  nope.   

So I made box brownies and took them to work.   Everyone was happy!  the End.