I haven’t written about a book I’ve read in a long time.

That’s despite me reading two or three books simultaneously (one or two from the fiction, one or two from the non-fiction, and one from the religious categories- plus listening an Audible book (light story, delightful to accompany my driving.)  I admit that for the past three years, my participation in the Audible segment has been furloughed, since I wasn’t able to drive for nearly three years, until my son’s birthday, this past 4^th of July.

But, the book that I finished a few nights ago (or was that really considered to be early  morning) at 3 AM was a gift from my son, Daniel (the one whose birthday was on the 4th) and his spouse, Stefanie, for my birthday.  It seems to have been a Good Morning America selection, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (published by Doubleday).

The protagonist is Elizabeth Zott, a character living in the early 1960s.  Where, she makes the career choice of going for a chemistry PhD and studying abiogenesis.  But, as was wont in those days, women were stymied; and as Elizabeth encounters it, male professors felt they could take sexual liberties with their female students.  And, those that didn’t often stole their data and repressed their careers.  Which is why Elizabeth never got her PhD.

Nevertheless, she demonstrates courage, intelligence, and the ability to communicate effectively.  While staying opinionated, funny, and confrontational.  She finds the love of her life (after a confrontation with him); yet, instead of marriage, they cohabit (which was certainly not an acceptable practice in the 1960s), and then loses him to a freak accident.  I won’t go into how her employer (both the male executives and the “think tank” for which they work) attempt to chop her down and how she finds alternative methods of compensation- but I can guarantee you that you will love the story.

There were three passages in this book worth memorializing.

“Chemistry is change and change is the core of your
belief system.  Which is good because that’s what we need more of- people who refuse to accept the status quo, who aren’t afraid to take on the unacceptable.  But sometimes the unacceptable-- your brother’s suicide, Calvin’s death—- is in fact, permanent, Elizabeth.  Things happen. They just do.”

“…whenever you feel afraid, just remember.  Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.  So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge.  No more holding yourself back.  No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve.  And, no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to be dormant, ladies.  Design your own future.  When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change.  And then get started.

“Please call me Elizabeth.  And you are family, Avery.  Madison understood this a long time ago.  It’s not Wilson she put on the family tree—it’s you.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You’re the acorn”

Avery, her eyes a watery grey, took in some distant point across the room.  “The fairy godmother acorn,” she said to herself.  “Me.”

I vote you get the book (buy or library).  Especially if you are a woman- because this is a valiant tale promoting Women in STEM.  Something for which the world needs more.

Enjoy the great read.

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