Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

37 reviews

zoiejanelle's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

i read this per my aunt’s recommendation with zero knowledge of the book going into it. it is about the generation of women who came just after my grandmother, adult women in the late 50s and 60s who were on the precipice of the next great American feminist movement but still greatly impacted by WW2 social norms.

i did not expect this book to impact me so much! i love women’s fiction, but i tend to prefer more literary works than this. there was a very clear timeline and plot, which i appreciated, and though the book covered serious topics, the tone was mostly lighthearted. 

the POVs in this book were absolutely incredible. i LOVED getting 6:30’s perspective, and the type of head hopping that would normally
bother me was used very strategically and successfully! 

there was a HEAVY dose of found family here that i did not expect at all. i welled up in tears many times over during scenes where Mad and Elizabeth got to experience the love and support of their own little community. 

also, i SHOUTED when the

Vogue

reveal happened. Harriet slayed!!! Best character award!!! 

i can definitely see how this book lends itself to a TV series, which i plan on watching! overall, this was a really fun and interesting read outside my comfort zone. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Abortion, and Alcohol

ivi_reads_books's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Wonderfully unique characters which you will remember a long time after finishing the book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Rape

Moderate: Death, Blood, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcohol

icedlemonade's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Death of parent

Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide

Minor: Alcohol

gracefulraven's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Medical trauma and Car accident

abicaro17's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Ok this was cute. I was kinda skeptical because it's so popular but I enjoyed it! Elizabeth Zott is a chemist who by a series of mishaps becomes the star of a cooking show rooted in chemistry. The cast of characters and all their backgrounds were easy to follow and intriguing. The main themes of embracing change and perseverance despite what anyone says you can or can't do are both incredibly relevant but make sense in the story. I think my problem stems from the formatting/plot progression. I don't think this book really had a third act climax. What I would identify as the attempt wasn't even that climatic. I just think the book reads very flat and slow at times. I haven't seen the show so it might be different but the book would benefit from following traditional plot form. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

bookb1itch's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I can't believe it took so long for me to actually decide to read this book.  Everyone i know has loved it, and i really enjoyed the TV series, but the read was MUCH better than anticipated.  I love that the book was even more feminist than the TV series.  And there was more 6:30.  What a genius character, with uncanny intelligence and self-doubt.  In my Book Club, we discussed book-inspired tattoos and inthis book I found my choice:  

“The librarian is the most important educator in school. What she doesn't know, she can find out. This is not an opinion; it's a fact. Do not share this fact with Mrs. Mudford.”  Not that I am likely to get a tattoo anytime soon...

I did not expect so many laugh out loud moments, many of which were at the expense of Mrs Mudford (who turns out to be a little more likeable in the series.)

I will be recommending this to everyone I know who isn't also late to this party.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Alcohol

Minor: Vomit and Car accident

laurenbaggy's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, and Alcohol

flower_mail's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Minor: Body shaming

recycledartgirl2022's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

'

kaceymarie13's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A beautiful and heartbreaking story of a woman dealing with the reality of being a female scientist in 1950s America. Elizabeth Zott is a highly complex character who I think many women can relate to, regardless of their profession or social skills. I highly recommend this read to any woman who wants to feel equally infuriated and empowered. I could not put this one down. 

I would however encourage anyone interested in reading this book to check the trigger warnings, because some scenes in the book are incredibly intense and emotionally exhausting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Car accident, and Alcohol

Minor: Vomit