My first 5/5 star book for 2023! I loved “Lessons in Chemistry” and have already recommended it to several friends. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, is great. She’s a beautiful, quirky, no-nonsense chemist in the 1950s. See the problem? She’s a beautiful, female chemist in the 1950s. Elizabeth doesn’t understand why any of that should matter though; as long as her work is solid and her brain is contributing to science, why should her looks and gender matter at all? Thus begins Elizabeth’s journey. I found this book hilarious at times, literally laughing out loud. At other times, though, it’s sad and I was getting teary. By the end of the book, I was so emotionally attached to Elizabeth that I felt like I lost a friend when it was over. And that, to me, is the sign of a great author! I loved the supporting characters as well. Bonnie Garmus described them all perfectly, from the nosy-neighbor-turned-nanny-turned-best friend Harriet, to Walter Pine, to Calvin Evans. And just to add a cherry on top, there’s a dog....who doesn’t die! I won’t give away any spoilers because I know a lot of people who still are on their library’s wait list for this book, but trust me, it’s worth it! I can’t say enough good things about “Lessons in Chemistry.” For me, it deserved every award it was given and more. If you are wanting a good book with a main character you will grow to love, pick this one up.