Finished: Lessons in Chemistry (Garmus) I don't know why it took me so long to read this book, but I'm so glad I finally did. It really resonated with me and I enjoyed it so much. Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant chemist who works in a lab as a tech, because due to tragic circumstances, she was unable to complete the college education she needed to earn the title of chemist. Calvin Evans is a brilliant, Nobel prize nominated chemist who works in the same lab, but has his own space as he was the most sought after university graduate in the country when he was applying for jobs. Oh, did I mention that it's the 1950's and Elizabeth faces every male-dominated scenario you can imagine in the workplace? Though Calvin and Elizabeth clash over "stolen" test tubes at first, they quickly bond over their shared love of all things chemistry, and of proving their shared theory about abiogenesis, which states that life arose from simplistic, non-life forms. After several years, and lots of spoilers about their story which I won't share here, Elizabeth no longer works at the lab, but hosts a cooking show on television. Everything she cooks and all the choices she makes while cooking have a scientific reason, which she explains to all the housewives across America who are watching her show, soaking up her every word. She speaks to them like they are more intelligent than most people think they are, especially the men of the 1950's, and encourages them to "change the status quo" with the respect she shows them. There is so much rich story between Elizabeth and Calvin and 6:30 and rowing and their "chemistry", that I grew to love both characters. Both have risen about heartbreaking childhoods, stories which are integral to the entire book. It's definitely a book that deserves the accolades it received.  Love, love, LOVED it! :-)