Hello.

This is Inside the Cover, your locally produced show for bibliophiles.

Do you enjoy a book with a message?

Do you like dogs?

Do you enjoy a book with a storyline that is thoughtfully and carefully woven together over a long period of time?

Do you like a book with a bit of mystery?

Do you favor subtle humor?

Do you enjoy a book with interesting or quirky characters?

Are you a fan of rowing for exercise?

Then I think that tonight's book Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus might become a favorite for you.

It is now time to go inside the cover.

Bonnie Jean Garmus is an American author and former copywriter.

She was born in Riverside, California, on April 18, 1957.

Lessons in Chemistry was published in April of 2022, and it is Garmuss debut novel.

The book quickly became a bestseller, remaining on the New York Times bestseller list for more than a year.

It has been translated into 40 languages.

I finished my copy on September 17, 2023.

By the way, the book has been adapted into a series for Apple TV that premiered October 13 starring Brie Larson.

As I noted earlier, this book is filled with interesting and quirky characters, somewhat reminiscent of the works of Frederick Bachman, which we have reviewed on Inside the cover.

The heroine is Elizabeth Zott, a truly unique woman.

Zott is a brilliant chemist who, because of her gender, doesn't get the opportunity she has earned in academe or industry.

An unexpected turn of events finds her as the host of a nationally syndicated cooking show Supper at Six, where she uses chemistry in the kitchen and the kitchen as a platform to encourage women to push the boundaries.

As a reporter for Life magazine wrote, “Despite what Elizabeth Zott will tell you, Supper at Six is not just an introduction to chemistry.

It's a 30 minute, five day a week lesson in life and not in who we are or what we're made of, but rather who we're capable of becoming.

” By the way, I thought it very interesting that when it came to the science element of the book-- and it is quite significant-- Garmus bought a book on eBay and taught herself basic chemistry from the fifties.

Other characters include 6:30, a German shepherd who failed K-9 school but becomes a beloved member of the Zott family and who ultimately uses his police training to become a hero.

There is Calvin Evans, a lonely, brilliant Nobel Prize nominated chemist who grew up amidst tragedy and hardship.

Who falls in love with Elizabeth Zott.

There is Madge Zott the precocious daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth.

There is Reverend Wakely, a Presbyterian minister who learns a lot about faith in humanity from Elizabeth and Madge Zott.

There is Walter Pine, the television producer, who brings Elizabeth to television and who in turn learns a huge lesson from her: Just do what is right.

There is Harriet Sloane, Elizabeth's neighbor, who learns to think for herself.

And thanks to Elizabeth, leaves an abusive marriage.

And there is Avery Parker, who we come to learn is a significant part of this story.

The story, of course, revolves around Elizabeth Zott And I think Zott comes from Garmuss his own life experiences.

Zott had a difficult childhood, was a victim of sexual abuse, workplace discrimination and academic fraud.

Nevertheless, she follows her heart and her mind to triumph in the end.

A fascinating and wonderful character who made me laugh, smile and nod encouragingly.

Tonight's book has been Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

I want to thank my longtime friends, Tim and Karen in Columbia, Missouri, for this recommendation.

That's our show.

I hope to see you next week or somewhere sometime, looking for that next good book.