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Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel | Bonnie Garmus
"Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America's most beloved TV cooking show. Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers.) The only man who ever treated her-and her ideas-as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He's also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry. But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it's the early 60s??) and the star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's singular approach to cooking ('take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride') and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching women how to cook, she's teaching them how to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist"--
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MelHopton
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Pickpick

CW: rape
I had already listened to the audiobook before I read this, as I remembered it being entertaining. It was. The main character is brittle and very matter-of-fact, but oh so likeable. She navigated the patriarchal world of chemistry, finding then losing the love of her life, building a home laboratory and somehow ending up as a chef on a daytime cookery show. The brutal elements elevate this book into something really poignant. Fabulous!

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Readerann
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this enough to overlook the parts that bothered me. I‘m hard on books, though, so it‘s rare I love anything from start to finish. 😁🙄

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SarahBookInterrupted
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I had already read this before the season, but read it again and it was just as good as I remember. Listen to us discuss the book and compare it to the Apple TV series. They were definitely different. Listen anywhere you get podcasts or check out our YouTube page for both the podcast episode and the video one : https://youtu.be/3q7lcuRRvz0?si=tWgj5rWdzuvQURM6

29 likes1 stack add
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AshRob22
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Using my time wisely in the cutest little Airbnb!

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Donna Caldwell Author
Pickpick

Elizabeth Zott what a lady... I loved this book it made me smile and was a joy to read. Elizabeth was an extraordinary woman and scientist who lived on her own terms, with a brilliant mind who was way ahead of her time. Her approach to parenting was simply fabulous. I loved Six-Thirty and Mad and the dynamic between them all was hilarious. Her practical no-nonsense approach to everything was marvellous and like a breath of fresh air.

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JessBookNerd
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Kinda disappointed 🫠 #meh

TheLudicReader Agreed. I didn't get all the fuss. 3mo
27 likes1 comment
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S3V3N
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Mehso-so

Started out slow for me. I was going to put it down a couple of times. Something kept drawing me back. It got better.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one 🧡 3mo
S3V3N @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m going to try the series on AppleTV. Maybe I‘ll like it more. 3mo
36 likes2 comments
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S3V3N
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#WondrousWednesday @Eggs
Winter
Country
Both
Mountain
Juice
Waffles
Evening
Entree
Fruit
Fiction
Gum

Eggs Thx for playing 🥳 3mo
23 likes1 comment
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Decalino
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Mehso-so

I read this for book club and it just wasn't my cup of tea. Some terrible events in the early pages are handled with a jaunty tone that felt off, and that initial negative impression made it hard to accept a number of implausible plot points and unlikely coincidences later on. The story follows Elizabeth, a chemist thwarted by misogyny in the 1950s. It picked up a bit once she became the host of a cooking show, but still, not really for me.

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Sargar114
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Pickpick

I had to put this one aside to finish some buddy reads, but finished this in a fury once I picked it back up. Just loved this and the end and some of the notions presented at the end were thing I needed to hear/read at this moment. Funny how life works sometimes. Strong feminist themes with a lovely sense of humor. Highly recommend. Finished Poolside 😎

kspenmoll 🩷❤️🩵 4mo
22 likes1 comment
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peanutnine
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Pickpick

I'm not gonna lie, I almost bailed on this one. I got to about 25% because it was for my bookclub but the amount of terrible misogyny was a lot. After our discussion though I felt encouraged to continue and once our MC started her cooking show and made some good friends I enjoyed it a lot more. Honestly, the unconventional friendships were my favorite part. I can see why so many love this book and its, in the end, inspiring story. Soft pick for me

BooksNBowls The show is definitely worth the watch!! 4mo
peanutnine @BooksNBowls sadly I don't have apple tv 4mo
BooksNBowls @peanutnine aww man!! 4mo
See All 10 Comments
BooksNBowls @peanutnine I didn‘t read the book, so when the terrible thing happens it was a complete shock especially how they filmed it. Was it presented as a shock in the book? 4mo
peanutnine @BooksNBowls oh yes I was very shocked! 4mo
BooksNBowls @peanutnine it was quite dreadful to watch on screen 😳😢 4mo
peanutnine @BooksNBowls I bet! The audio was tough to listen to it being described 4mo
CBee @BooksNBowls I agree 100% - that part haunted me for days 😢😢😢 3mo
BooksNBowls @CBee I literally did not see it coming I was completely clueless to the story beforehand, so it was shocking. And the dog 😢😭😭 3mo
CBee @BooksNBowls it was shocking in the book, but I was absolutely SHOOK seeing it onscreen 😩 3mo
37 likes10 comments
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AileenRR
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Pickpick

Instant love for this one. Immediately started the Apple TV series, and while there are several changes, big and small, I‘m loving the show as well

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monkeygirlsmama
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Pickpick

Throughly enjoyed this story! Also appreciated the author interview at the end of the #audiobook. It provided such great insight as to how/why she wrote the book as she did. Garmus mentioned how Lessons in Chemistry is an offshoot of a previously started but uncompleted novel of hers. This made me hope that after the success of this one she'll go back to that original story to pick that thread back up. I think other readers would agree! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

monkeygirlsmama Has anyone here watched the Apple TV miniseries based on this book? I love Bree Larson, so I definitely want to check it out. I don't have Apple TV though. 4mo
AileenRR @monkeygirlsmama I‘ve started the show and it‘s different but still good 4mo
CBee @monkeygirlsmama I watched it and really liked it! 4mo
monkeygirlsmama @AileenRR @cbee Okay, cool. Good to know! There are several things I wanna watch that are on Apple tv. I may have to subscribe one of these days. I already have several streaming services already though. LoL 4mo
27 likes1 stack add4 comments
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EadieB
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Pickpick

#LessonsinChemistry #BonnieGarmus #BookSpinBingo #SeriesLove2024 #July2024

Elizabeth Lott is a chemist. She is a single mother who is the most beloved star of a cooking show called "Supper at Six." Her unusual approach to cooking "one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride" proves revolutionary. Elizabeth is not just teaching women to cook, she's daring them to change the status quo.

EadieB This is a laugh-out-loud funny book that will keep you in stitches until the end. It has unique characters that are easy to relate to. Bonnie Garmus' writing is very engaging and has a lot of emotional substance. I look forward to reading Bonnie's next book. If you love books that are funny and emotional, then you will love this book. I highly recommend this book 4mo
DieAReader 🥳Great! 4mo
Lesliereadsalot I thought the tv series was way better! 4mo
EadieB @Lesliereadsalot I‘ll have to watch that! 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4mo
47 likes5 comments
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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

This one came highly recommended to me and I am so glad that I finally picked up my copy! I literally read it in one sitting! Of course, I loved Six-Thirty and Mad. And while I am not into either cooking or chemistry, I loved Elizabeth‘s passion for both. While not unpredictable, it‘s certainly engaging from start to finish! I loved the characters and I‘m curious to check out the TV adaptation now!

CBee I really liked the TV adaptation 😊 4mo
TorieStorieS @CBee I‘m watching the first episode now!! 4mo
CBee @TorieStorieS hope you like 😊 4mo
TorieStorieS @CBee Well they took some licensing with the casting and details, but I am enjoying it so far! I never would have imagined Six-Thirty as a doodle! 4mo
CBee @TorieStorieS I didn‘t imagine that either! 4mo
56 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Eggs
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“Some things needed to stay in the past because the past was the only place they made sense.”

A truly wonderful book🧡

#Orange

#CoverLove

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks One of my favorites 🧡🧡🧡 4mo
Eggs Absolutely 💯 4mo
75 likes1 stack add2 comments
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shortsarahrose
Panpan

I liked Six-Thirty, but the rest of this book was a hard pass for me. #UnpopularOpinion but I found this to be a condescending, preachy, emotionally manipulative, white-feminist fantasy. It beats you over the head with how horrible structural misogyny is, yet can be overcome if you are good enough and smart enough. I never connected to the Zott/Evans romance, a couple odd food-shame-y moments, and anachronisms. Finished just to complain about it.

Karisimo Totally agree!!! 4mo
35 likes1 comment
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Sargar114
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I feel the same about two boys! Loving this book, it‘s got Gilmore Girls energy

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Roxanareads
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Pickpick

I watched the TV series first which prompted me to read the book. An unlikely love story between two extraordinarily unique characters that are both emotionally damaged. The eclectic mixture of characters and side storylines created a wonderful book that is unforgettable.

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shortsarahrose
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“Frask looked back, shocked. ‘Same,‘ she said limply.”

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shortsarahrose
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“‘Flip-outs,‘ he insisted, getting in his car. ‘Yesterday one of my kids hit the other with a shovel.‘”

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BookmarkTavern
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Mehso-so

Elizabeth‘s life is sent into turmoil after her love is tragically killed, she discovers she‘s pregnant, & she‘s fired from her chemistry research job because of the pregnancy. She decides to pursue her love of chemistry in another way - a cooking show.

I appreciated the story, but I really disliked all the POV hopping. (Except you Six-Thirty, you‘re a delight.) I did love the family Elizabeth built for herself & Mad was charming. 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

BookmarkTavern CW 👇🏻 5mo
BookmarkTavern Chapter 3 sexual assault, Chapter 33 attempted sexual assault, and general warning for brief references to past suicide (edited) 5mo
peanutnine I'm on chapter nine of this one right now for my bookclub and finding it really hard to want to pick back up 5mo
BookmarkTavern @peanutnine I thought about bailing a couple times too, but this was a book club pick for me as well! Honestly, I enjoyed it a lot more once Elizabeth was actually working on the show. 5mo
69 likes4 comments
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shortsarahrose
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“‘A moment where *you* are your own priority. Just you. Not your baby, not your work, not your dead Mr. Evans, not your filthy house, not anything. Just you. Elizabeth Zott. Whatever you need, whatever you want, whatever you seek, reconnect with it in that moment.‘ She gave a sharp tug to her fake pearls. ‘Then recommit.‘”

27 likes1 stack add
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shortsarahrose
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“‘References could be a problem,‘ he added, stepping out into the hall.
‘Coattails,‘ Frask whispered.”

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kellock
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Pickpick

What a wonderful book this was

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one 🧡 5mo
13 likes1 comment
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kellock
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Next up . . . Another recent 99p purchase. Must. Stop. Buying. Them.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one 🧡 5mo
14 likes1 comment
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Birdsong28
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#UkKindleDailyDeal
Grab this while you can. One of the best books I have read in the last few years and it is finally here for 99p!

@trishb @Cathythoughts @Oryx @squirrelbrain @julesG @RebelReader @Andrew65

squirrelbrain Thanks for the tag - I read it before it was even published! 🤪 5mo
32 likes1 comment
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chig22
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Pickpick

👍

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Margot0817
Mehso-so

While I can see the book is well written, but definitely not life changing, this book is not for me because if it's topics. It's full of toxic feminism that says"I can do whatever I want while also never being wrong. I will also not accept any kind of constructive criticism whatsoever." The author also clearly has a hatred for God that's so repetitive it makes me what to scream "YEAH WE GET THE POINT." The book has good bones, but, overall, YUCK

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Maggie4483
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Pickpick

What‘s the rule? Match your purse to your pants and your book to your big dumb cup?

This was a soft pick for me. The story was engaging, but it sometimes felt like Elizabeth Zott was a caricature of a smart person - like a hot, sad, female version of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. I just felt like she was unrealistically obtuse. I loved Mad and Six-Thirty, though.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one 🧡🐾 6mo
Lcsmcat I had the same feeling about E‘s character. Smart women can have people skills. Most of us do. That really bothered me. 2mo
25 likes2 comments
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Judybskt
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BookmarkTavern Wonderful choice! Thanks for answering! 6mo
16 likes1 comment
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Agabriv
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Pickpick

Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in a time where women weren‘t allowed to be any other thing than a housewife. She encourages other to look for more. She raised Mad in a way that allowed each other to learn and gave her tools to know how she should make her path in this world.

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Blh87
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Pickpick

What a fun reminder of how infuriating it is to be female! This book was incredibly frustrating and very sad, but it was very good.

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Therewillbebooks
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Spring is upon us and what better way to celebrate than to add to our TBR? This month we decided to add a “dad bio“ and a bestseller to our TBR but the real question is did we add just two books? Lots of fun this week, with a great list of books discussed. Matt's question to everybody is, “Are we at a TBR tipping point?“ As always thanks for listening and supporting us!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XqrWylOjG1cKCYS6aqcow

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Blh87
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Just a potato puppy (even though she is 7) appreciation post. She‘s a cuddly snoozy suzy. We love our Justice Ginsburg❤️

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Mshookquilts
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Pickpick

This may be the best book I‘ve read this year and was a delightful compelling surprise. Elizabeth Zott is a focused chemist of high intellect who falls in love with another equally brilliant scientist. At his death she finds herself pregnant and without a job. A story of a strong woman who has learned to survive and make true friends despite the cruelty around.

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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/9MabKSZ-Ph0

Enjoy!

33 likes1 stack add
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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One of my favorites! I loved Six-Thirty 🐶🧡🐾

Gosh this has been a long and exhausting work week 😬 one more day!!

#SpringSkies
#AnimalPOV

Teresereading Loved the book and the series on Apple TV 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Teresereading I don‘t have Apple 😩 8mo
Jari-chan I liked the book mainly because of Six-Thirty 🤭 8mo
See All 7 Comments
Eggs Phenomenally touching 🙌🏻 8mo
Teresereading @Jari-chan sadly6.30 doesn‘t feature as much in the series 8mo
DebinHawaii Such a long week! 😵 I loved the book & Sux-Thirty was my favorite too! 🐕 💜 8mo
89 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Kristelh
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TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Looks fantastic!! 8mo
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MaleficentBookDragon
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Pickpick

While this book took me much too long to finish, it was not the book‘s fault. It lived up to the hype for me. I laughed and cried many times. And fueled my female rage a bit. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have been in a reading slump for the past two months. I steamed through January but then lost my mojo in February. I had surgery last week and thought I‘d be nonstop reading but I didn‘t until Monday. Then I started really getting into it. Hopefully I‘m back.

Avanders Hope surgery went well!! And I hear you re slump… I feel like I‘m kinda coming out of a year-and-a-half slump! 8mo
Cortg Wishing you a speedy recovery! I‘ve been in a reading slump which is unusual for me, but I‘m crushing the audiobooks for some reason. 8mo
MaleficentBookDragon @Avanders thanks. I think it did. I just read the new Wayward Children book this afternoon and plan on starting The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong tonight so I‘m hoping my slump is gone. 8mo
See All 8 Comments
MaleficentBookDragon @Cortg thank you. Usually audiobooks help me through slumps but I‘ve been listening to You Love Me for over 3 months! I should DNF it but I just can‘t give up on Joe (or actually Santino as narrator). If all else fails I‘ll start the Murderbot Diaries on audio again. They are always fun. 8mo
Avanders Nice! Yeah it can definitely depend on the book these days… it‘s much harder to just “push through” than it was a couple years ago! And glad to hear surgery … likely went well ☺️🙏🏽 (edited) 8mo
Gissy Have a soon recovery ♥️ 8mo
TheLudicReader Hope you recover quickly and find your reading mojo again soon! 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks My book also looks like this! Get well soon ❤️‍🩹 8mo
72 likes8 comments
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kricheal
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Pickpick

I am so obsessed with Elizabeth Zott. 5 stars #audio #9 #2024

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xicanti
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I‘m loving LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, just like the friend who leant it to me promised I would! It‘s one of those stories I can fall right into and fully inhabit, though I don‘t find it as funny as the jacket copy says it is. I mean, there‘re funny bits here and there, but on the whole I don‘t find sexism gives me a lot to laugh at. 🤷‍♀️

Elizabeth would disapprove of my Spice Tailor supper, but it‘s so tasty I ain‘t even sorry. These kits are delish.

sarahbarnes Such a great book! 8mo
xicanti @sarahbarnes it really is. I‘m sad just didn‘t have time to finish it tonight. 8mo
BiblioLitten That looks like chole (chickpea curry)! 5mo
xicanti @BiblioLitten it is! It‘s my favourite. 5mo
42 likes4 comments
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Sci.Cricketts
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Pickpick

A very emotional story in terms of what women have to do to fight to be heard. So many obstacles that could have been avoided if given the voice.

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perfectsinner

Finally starting my Christmas present

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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Have you ever read a book that drove you to utter rage… the want to throw the book across the room at the injustice against the characters? I am awestruck by this book, it pulled on all my emotions like I was a character right alongside Elizabeth. If you‘ve had this one on the back burner or a TBR do yourself a favor and just pick it up!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one! 9mo
38 likes1 comment
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Deifio
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Borrowed from my mum. Can't wait to start!

julesG Enjoy! I really liked it 9mo
19 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
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Happy Tuesday! Today's questions are inspired by several of my friends that are currently in the process of moving. It got me to thinking which is always a dangerous thing. Have a fabulous day! My answers:
1️⃣ April 2022 I sold my house in Asheville and moved to my lake house in SC.
2️⃣ Lessons in Chemistry

Want to play? @Eggs @dabbe @Read4life @Cupcake12 @BookmarkTavern @Susanita @TheBookHippie @Born.A.Reader @Ruthiella @AmyG @JenReadsAlot

BookmarkTavern Thanks for the tag! 💕 9mo
GlassAsDiamonds It surprises me there aren‘t more thrillers / cozy mystery/ detective fiction featuring GRIZZLY moving related MURDERS … suppose the suspense would be limited 🤣 9mo
Ruthiella Thanks for the tag! The last time I moved was 20 years ago. I‘m glad to be in one place for a stretch. Moving is stressful! 9mo
See All 6 Comments
Eggs Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻 9mo
AmyG Thanks for the tag! 😘 9mo
dabbe Will do; thanks for the tag! 😘 9mo
56 likes6 comments