It’s been one year since Bonnie Garmus published Lessons in Chemistry, and it’s still receiving accolades today. The book follows Elizabeth Zott, a dedicated and hardworking chemist who finds herself tasked with hosting a cooking show in the 1960s.

The book utilizes both humor and serious themes to achieve balance - a recurring pattern throughout the book and throughout chemistry itself.
I recently spoke with Bonnie Garmus about some of the themes she wades into, our shared love of rowing, and the lovable character Six-Thirty, who is Elizabeth’s loyal dog. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
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Lessons in Chemistry was published by Doubleday.
Marginalia was produced at KMUW Wichita and is part of the NPR Podcast Network.
- Mark Statzer and Torin Andersen - engineers
- Lu Anne Stephens & Haley Crowson - editors
- Haley Crowson - producer
- Karlee Cooper - marketing coordinator
- Beth Golay - host