How I missed out on reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus in the several years since its publication is a classic lesson in the old adage, Don’t judge a book by its cover, and also, a lesson in personal flexibility—that being that there are no doubt a plethora of other excellent books out there that I would love if I had bothered to read them, and sometimes that deprives me of valuable experiences. I heard Lessons in Chemistry was very good, but, eh . . . I thought. Not for me. I’m not into chemistry. The 1950s and early 60s don’t interest me as much as earlier times. It looks somehow . . . I don’t know . . . frivolous?
I’m happy to report that I was wrong on all counts. Well, maybe not the I’m not into chemistry part, but as it turns out, that doesn’t matter. I didn’t need to be into chemistry to appreciate chemist Elizabeth Zott’s deep love of it. I just needed to appreciate Elizabeth Zott, the wonderful protagonist of this deeply funny, tragic, and ultimately affirming story. And that was easy. As for my not being interested in the 1950s-60s, I think I took that period for granted because I am a product of it. I have few memories of my earliest childhood, and of those, most are sad. Those years have not been a time I willingly wish to revisit. It appears I prefer visiting earlier and more dramatic times—times that occurred before I was able to suffer through them in person.
As for the idea that the book was probably frivolous, I definitely derived that from the cover. And I wasn’t the only one. Three years ago, a reader named Lisa Wright posted a question on Goodreads, “Am I the only one who was furious about the pink chick-lit, rom-com cover on this book? It belittles the book in exactly the same way Elizabeth Zott is belittled!”
Bonnie Garmus, the author, answered: “I have to agree–and I’m the author! All I can say is, the publisher did let me have input and I told them I thought it looked like chick-lit (nothing against chick-lit but this book isn’t that). Still, publishers have a lot of experience knowing what an audience will respond to and they thought this was the best way. They’ve been great to work with; we just didn’t see eye-to-eye on this. You can google other covers from the other nations and see you if you think anyone else got a little closer–I think Germany and the UK both did a nice job. I have hopes that this cover will change for the paperback.”
The way I fell into reading this book
I went on a trip and forgot to bring my library book. The airport gift shop’s book selection was pretty slim. I didn’t see anything from my TBR list. The cover on the paperback version was slightly less frivolous in my very unscientific opinion than the hardcover I had entered in our public library collection. At least it featured something that looked like the periodic table in the background. I picked it up, sighed, and purchased it.
The book delighted me from the first page. When I read these lines: “Fuel for learning, Elizabeth Zott wrote on a small slip of paper before tucking it into her daughter’s lunch box. Then she paused, her pencil in midair, as if reconsidering. Play sports at recess but do not automatically let the boys win, she wrote on another slip. Then she paused again, tapping her pencil against the table. It is not your imagination, she wrote on a third. Most people are awful. She placed the last two on top.”
Bonnie Garmus had my attention on page one, and she had me laughing and crying and feeling every range of emotion throughout the delicious ride through the air from Reno, Nevada to Minneapolis, Minnesota and back again. I loved this book! Highly recommended.
Have you had this experience? Purposely avoiding something, whether a book or a movie or a sport or an activity, that you later found to be good or valuable? I’m sure I’ve done it a lot!
Luckily for me, this time I was given the gift of proving myself wrong.
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
I enjoyed it too. Your account did it justice.
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Thanks, Gloria! I’m having trouble formatting in the WordPress blog, but hopefully I got the message across. It was a delightful book and now I hear that the television series was also very good.
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Loved the book—love the review! So glad you enjoyed it and glad I got to share some reading time with you. Keep on writing ✍️
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Wasn’t that just another magical aspect of our friendship? Let’s go on vacation and read! 💞💞💞💞💞
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Oh, that’s so interesting Lori, you wrote the exact reasons why I haven’t read the book yet, even though I’ve heard good things. I thought the cover looked too chick-lit (I don’t like this term, but I can’t think of a better one.) I like reading books with depth, and connection to true stories of overcoming immense odds. Now you have me wanting to read it. Checking my local library tomorrow.
I recently read a Nature Book Club book that had me thinking it wasn’t going to be good, but I was surprised by how much I liked the story from our local author (“The Heart of My Soul: Tales of Five Generations at the Family Cabin” by Janet Kurtz). It also helped that Janet came to our book club meeting, she was a fabulous presenter and added so much to her book.
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I hope you enjoy it as I did, Rose! I will look forward to hearing back from you! I will look into the book by Janet Kurtz! It’s always so good to meet the authors. Our library had an author meet and greet with Bridey Thelen-Heidel a year ago and it was so moving. She had lived in our tiny town for a year when she was in high school and included her experiences in her beautiful memoir, Bright Eyes. Having her here was wonderful for all of us and we all loved her book.
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I don’t think I’ve ever bought a book because of the cover, but I probably have rejected a few because of it. I agree that the first cover doesn’t seem quite right. Even though I try not to judge others, I know I have sometimes fallen short in that regard. Misjudging food, books, and movies seems less wrong, but I’ve done all of those things too.
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I agree, Pete! We need judgement of course in this life, but it’s hard to weed out the pre judgement part, I think—prejudice. Thanks for your reply!
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I have been hearing really good things about this for a time now, thanks for giving me the final push to do so
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Oh, great Beth! I can’t wait to hear your response. 💞🧡💞
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I like that alternate cover! Loved the book, too. Looks like you are having a gorgeous fall. We were just out in New England. The colors were muted there due to drought. I guess we should have stayed in MN!
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It’s so much fun to share a love of books, Marie. The fall picture I ended with is from our driveway in Austin, Nevada. We don’t have that many trees, but we’re at a nice elevation so we get a few areas of golden glow that we cherish. Minnesota always puts on such an awesome show! 🧡🍁🧡
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It’s on my reading list, but I watched the series, and it was outstanding.
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I am excited to watch the series when I get the chance!
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You are going to love it. Brie Larson did an amazing job.
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This made me smile, smile, smile. I had the exact same reaction to the cover. I hated the look of it but when one of the book clubs that I drop in and out of chose it…I was sunk. Or so I thought! Love the insight you’ve shared about Bonnie Garmus’ thoughts! So interesting! And yup…a lesson for this reader. Try to see beyond the marketing/design…read the words, Vicki! xo! 💝💝💝
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I am surprised to have found out that it wasn’t just me! Interesting for us to think about as writers, too! Loved your cover for Surviving Sue! 💞
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Awww! I love that you love that pic. Sue on one of her few sunny days as a child. ❤️❤️❤️
Your post about “Lessons” is so timely. I’m really unsure about cover ideas for my project…waiting for just-right inspiration. Cover art matters!!!
Sending love! 🥰❤️🥰
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So true! 💞💞💞
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One of my favorite books! Great blog!
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Thank you, Vickie! I really appreciate your kind response!
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I enjoyed this book too – great review!
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Thank you, da-AL! It’s always a joy to fall in love with a new book.
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We enjoyed reading this book for book club, so the cover did not come into the choice. It’s a library book club so a collection of titles does the rounds among all the groups and each month we have no idea what to expect. This was a good discovery and made me laugh.
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Book clubs definitely help us discover books we might not otherwise have read. Such fun!
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wow thanks for sharing, Lori! Love the cover and it sounds like you can judge it from the cover alright! xx
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