Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry is a novel set in the 1960s, following Elizabeth Zott, an ambitious chemist living in a time when women were discouraged from pursuing careers in science. Elizabeth dreams of being a scientist, and manages to land a coveted job as a host on a TV cooking show, on the condition that she avoids talking about chemistry. Elizabeth uses the show as an opportunity to sneak chemistry lessons into her recipes, teaching valuable science concepts to housewives across the country in a way they can understand. 

The novel follows Elizabeth through the ups and downs of her career and personal life. She encounters many obstacles as a female scientist at the time, including sexism from male colleagues and pressures to marry and start a family. Her experiments in the kitchen cause multiple disasters. And while raising two mischievous sons and dealing with her unreliable husband, she fights to hold on to her dream job and research career.

The book touches on themes of gender roles, women's empowerment, and the challenges of balancing career and family life. But at its heart, it's a joyful celebration of chemistry and the wonder of scientific discovery. Through Elizabeth's eyes, mundane household objects like eggs, vinegar, and baking soda take on new meanings as they become the vehicles through which she shares her love of science. Lessons in Chemistry is ultimately an uplifting story of an extraordinary woman who revolutionizes her world, one chemical reaction at a time.