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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i love elizabeth zott her perseverance and her intelligence is something everyone should aspire for
truly the hardships she faces throughout this relatively short book seem insurmountable but elizabeth really does lead by example that the insurmountable have some way through
also a major fan of six-thirty the absolute goat
what i also loved was that the relationship of elizabeth and calvin never diminished her and only emphasised her strengths without making love seem silly love is never so silly as it always seems to be portrayed
truly the hardships she faces throughout this relatively short book seem insurmountable but elizabeth really does lead by example that the insurmountable have some way through
also a major fan of six-thirty the absolute goat
what i also loved was that the relationship of elizabeth and calvin never diminished her and only emphasised her strengths without making love seem silly love is never so silly as it always seems to be portrayed
4.5
TW : rape, sexism, sexualt assault
i know that this book is neither scientifically or historically accurate but this was not my main goal when reading this book
i do feel like the synopsis is kinda misleading, as it isn't really that much about the cooking show but rather on Elizabeth Zott herself.
this book is very much character driven and not so much plot driven
i enjoy books about women in different historical period so i loved this one! it was very entertaining for me, and i also liked the writing style very much
each character is very much alive : Mad Zott has my heart.
i either loved them or hated them
i really hope that Bonnie Garmus puts out another book soon, because I really enjoyed this one !
also, very excited to watch the tv show with the one and only Brie Larson
TW : rape, sexism, sexualt assault
i know that this book is neither scientifically or historically accurate but this was not my main goal when reading this book
i do feel like the synopsis is kinda misleading, as it isn't really that much about the cooking show but rather on Elizabeth Zott herself.
this book is very much character driven and not so much plot driven
i enjoy books about women in different historical period so i loved this one! it was very entertaining for me, and i also liked the writing style very much
each character is very much alive : Mad Zott has my heart.
i either loved them or hated them
i really hope that Bonnie Garmus puts out another book soon, because I really enjoyed this one !
also, very excited to watch the tv show with the one and only Brie Larson
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Enjoyed this book very much!
Goodreads have to do something with half star rating cuz i need it
The book wasn't so good to rate it 4 stars but its not 3, looks bad.
So here it is 3.5⭐
The story follows Elizabeth Zott, a woman deeply passionate about science and chemistry, who views the world as a series of ever-changing chemical reactions. During her Ph.D. studies, she faces severe hardships, including physical assault and eventual expulsion "because she is a woman," stripping her of the ability to assert her discoveries. Eventually, she joins a research lab, where she steals equipment from the top researcher. Having developed a deep resentment toward men due to her past traumas, Elizabeth unexpectedly falls for Calvin—a man believed to hold grudges… or so everyone thinks.
I understand the author’s intent in highlighting the oppression women faced at the time, but the first half of the book felt fueled by personal resentment. Almost humorously, it seemed as if the author wanted to take a swing at every man in her path. While it’s true that women were subjected to physical and psychological oppression—expected only to clean, cook, and raise children—the book presents this as an absolute, which felt like an overgeneralization. After all, at some point in life, many women naturally desire domesticity.
Elizabeth Zott carried a strong sense of feminist pride, refusing to marry despite being madly in love, solely to preserve her identity and be recognized for herself rather than as someone’s wife.
Calvin, a man with a difficult past—an orphan yet not quite—shifted the focus to another marginalized group: children born out of wedlock, and orphans who were often exploited for fundraising without receiving real benefits.
The author repeatedly emphasized that Calvin and Elizabeth were soulmates, two halves of the same whole. However, I never truly felt their relationship reflected that. Their conflicts often played out through awkward situations rather than deep, meaningful struggles. I wanted to believe in their connection—I saw what the author was trying to convey—but I don’t think she fully succeeded, as this kind of relationship is incredibly difficult to portray convincingly.
That being said, the second half of the book was exceptional. Elizabeth’s character development was beautifully done—her journey in building a family with her daughter, Madeline, and navigating life as a single mother. She came to realize that no matter how much she valued independence, she would still need to let some people into her life. Her transition from a chemistry researcher to a TV cooking show host for housewives allowed her to leave her own mark, delivering the message: “Cooking is chemistry.” This phase of her life shaped her, giving her a voice to inspire women worldwide to pursue their dreams.
> “But I couldn’t. Can’t.” (be a heart surgeon)
“Why?”
“Because it’s hard.”
“And raising five boys isn’t?”
The addition of well-developed supporting characters was another highlight. Walter, the divorced father of a daughter who wasn’t biologically his, endured damaging rumors despite being one of the kindest men toward women—instinctively taking on the role of their protector. Harriet, the elderly woman who despised her narcissistic, controlling husband, perhaps saw in Elizabeth the woman she wished she had been. She embraced and cared for Madeline as if she were her own. And then there was Wakely, the young man who befriended the brilliant little girl, only to realize she was Calvin’s daughter—the same Calvin who had unknowingly shaped his life through nothing but words and letters.
The final section about religion was dreadful.
In the end, the first half of the book carried a raw, heavy darkness—one that gradually unraveled, allowing Elizabeth’s character to evolve, painting her life with new colors as she embraced motherhood and a changed perspective on life.
The book wasn't so good to rate it 4 stars but its not 3, looks bad.
So here it is 3.5⭐
The story follows Elizabeth Zott, a woman deeply passionate about science and chemistry, who views the world as a series of ever-changing chemical reactions. During her Ph.D. studies, she faces severe hardships, including physical assault and eventual expulsion "because she is a woman," stripping her of the ability to assert her discoveries. Eventually, she joins a research lab, where she steals equipment from the top researcher. Having developed a deep resentment toward men due to her past traumas, Elizabeth unexpectedly falls for Calvin—a man believed to hold grudges… or so everyone thinks.
I understand the author’s intent in highlighting the oppression women faced at the time, but the first half of the book felt fueled by personal resentment. Almost humorously, it seemed as if the author wanted to take a swing at every man in her path. While it’s true that women were subjected to physical and psychological oppression—expected only to clean, cook, and raise children—the book presents this as an absolute, which felt like an overgeneralization. After all, at some point in life, many women naturally desire domesticity.
Elizabeth Zott carried a strong sense of feminist pride, refusing to marry despite being madly in love, solely to preserve her identity and be recognized for herself rather than as someone’s wife.
Calvin, a man with a difficult past—an orphan yet not quite—shifted the focus to another marginalized group: children born out of wedlock, and orphans who were often exploited for fundraising without receiving real benefits.
The author repeatedly emphasized that Calvin and Elizabeth were soulmates, two halves of the same whole. However, I never truly felt their relationship reflected that. Their conflicts often played out through awkward situations rather than deep, meaningful struggles. I wanted to believe in their connection—I saw what the author was trying to convey—but I don’t think she fully succeeded, as this kind of relationship is incredibly difficult to portray convincingly.
That being said, the second half of the book was exceptional. Elizabeth’s character development was beautifully done—her journey in building a family with her daughter, Madeline, and navigating life as a single mother. She came to realize that no matter how much she valued independence, she would still need to let some people into her life. Her transition from a chemistry researcher to a TV cooking show host for housewives allowed her to leave her own mark, delivering the message: “Cooking is chemistry.” This phase of her life shaped her, giving her a voice to inspire women worldwide to pursue their dreams.
> “But I couldn’t. Can’t.” (be a heart surgeon)
“Why?”
“Because it’s hard.”
“And raising five boys isn’t?”
The addition of well-developed supporting characters was another highlight. Walter, the divorced father of a daughter who wasn’t biologically his, endured damaging rumors despite being one of the kindest men toward women—instinctively taking on the role of their protector. Harriet, the elderly woman who despised her narcissistic, controlling husband, perhaps saw in Elizabeth the woman she wished she had been. She embraced and cared for Madeline as if she were her own. And then there was Wakely, the young man who befriended the brilliant little girl, only to realize she was Calvin’s daughter—the same Calvin who had unknowingly shaped his life through nothing but words and letters.
The final section about religion was dreadful.
In the end, the first half of the book carried a raw, heavy darkness—one that gradually unraveled, allowing Elizabeth’s character to evolve, painting her life with new colors as she embraced motherhood and a changed perspective on life.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting going into this book, which was book of the month for SFBC but I trust those women to have good taste.
It quickly became known to me that this was a TV series, and I had absolutely no clue because I had only ever heard of the book and never the show. I plan to watch the show now that I’ve read the book though!
The start of this book was exactly how I expected and I was here for it, absolutely ecstatic wondering what was going to happen next and if Elizabeth Zott would change her mind on the you-know-what and then the leash happened…
I don’t think I’ll be able to look or think of a leash and not remember this book.
Elizabeth Zott is brilliant and beautiful and quirky but “Mad” really? Elizabeth Zott, that’s all you could think of? Wow. I guess it was fitting though.
I definitely enjoyed the book, it was cute and quirky and was all about #GirlPower
This book was on my TBR for 10 months before I finally read it, so it should consider itself lucky as other books have been on there for years lol
It quickly became known to me that this was a TV series, and I had absolutely no clue because I had only ever heard of the book and never the show. I plan to watch the show now that I’ve read the book though!
The start of this book was exactly how I expected and I was here for it, absolutely ecstatic wondering what was going to happen next and if Elizabeth Zott would change her mind on the you-know-what and then the leash happened…
I don’t think I’ll be able to look or think of a leash and not remember this book.
Elizabeth Zott is brilliant and beautiful and quirky but “Mad” really? Elizabeth Zott, that’s all you could think of? Wow. I guess it was fitting though.
I definitely enjoyed the book, it was cute and quirky and was all about #GirlPower
This book was on my TBR for 10 months before I finally read it, so it should consider itself lucky as other books have been on there for years lol
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
simply made my heart very happy. what a great book. extraordinary pacing, the way each thread tied together - chef’s kiss.