[Book Summary] Lessons in Chemistry—Bonnie Garmus

Rating: ★★★★☆

I had been hesitant about writing this summary (and rating it) because the audiobook is intertwined with a personal story. 

"Are you studying Chemistry?"

An unexpected question sparked some tingles here and there then became a wildfire. Or in Hotel Transvelnia's term, we "zinged" at our first sight. Because of it, I borrowed the audiobook Lessons in Chemistry.

Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans (both Chemists) met at a research institution. And later, they fell in love because of an unexpected incident. Just like fate. At least that's how I feel about mine.

In a later chapter, as Elizabeth Zott reflects on her relationship with Calvin, she says "Calvin and I had chemistry. It's not just chemistry." The coincidence is that a close friend also told me that about the girl and me. We had chemistry.

It's not just how our stories are similar. How Elizabeth views herself is how I viewed myself until three years ago. I took myself and my work seriously. But now, not so much about myself. Elizabeth has been serious about herself—a Chemist, not a performer or entertainer dressed in a tight apron—throughout the book.

Calvin left a remark that resonates with me deeply. I have a rough quote here for your reference.

"This world is not fair. If you play and assume it is, you are going to lose."

But Elizabeth doesn't listen to Calvin. She stands her ground firmly from page one of this book and doesn't change at all till the back cover of it. Even if she faced financial burdens, she decided to cut the one and only income she had.

It's easy to conclude that sheer determination can get you wherever you want to land your feet. But if you have to survive, if Elizabeth's daugher weren't so smart and had special needs, of if Elizabeth didn't have a good neighbor to be the daycare, the story may end very differently.

The next audiobook I'll summarize has something beautifully said. I'm quoting it here.

"You dread because you are afraid of losing control. But the truth is that you don't have control. All you have is anxiety."

A side note here: Elizabeth self-taught herself in libraries. She was fortunate to live in a place with decent book supplies. It'd be even more challenging if she had lived in Washington DC close to the Northwest One Neighborhood Library. Learn more about this library? Check out this audiobook! [Book Summary] Overdue—Amanda Oliver