By Marcus Ashcroft · started 63d ago · Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A 1960s chemist becomes the unlikely star of a daytime cooking show that becomes a feminist movement. Bring page numbers if you have them, but vibes are welcome too.
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 86
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 36
I annotated so heavily the margins ran out. The pacing wobbles in the third quarter but the payoff earns it. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 46
Perfect winter read. Or summer. Or any month, apparently. Whoever flagged the recurring water imagery — thank you, I can't unsee it now. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 86
I annotated so heavily the margins ran out. There's a generosity in how the author treats even the awful characters. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 36
Perfect winter read. Or summer. Or any month, apparently. The dialogue is doing about four jobs at once. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 86
I annotated so heavily the margins ran out. The pacing wobbles in the third quarter but the payoff earns it. Five stars from me.
❤️ 36
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Already lent my copy out twice.
❤️ 76
I came in skeptical and left completely won over. The pacing wobbles in the third quarter but the payoff earns it. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 46
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. I loved how little it explains itself. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 76
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 111
I came in skeptical and left completely won over. The pacing wobbles in the third quarter but the payoff earns it. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 61
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. Already lent my copy out twice.
❤️ 101
I came in skeptical and left completely won over. The prose does that trick where it's plain until suddenly it isn't. Five stars from me.
❤️ 61
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. I loved how little it explains itself. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 61
Finished this one in two sittings and I'm still turning the last chapter over. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 111
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. The dialogue is doing about four jobs at once. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 111
I came in skeptical and left completely won over. The prose does that trick where it's plain until suddenly it isn't. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 71
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 71
Finished this one in two sittings and I'm still turning the last chapter over. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 61
