A five-star week

A book and a movie that both jumped to the top of my 5-star list

Hey y’all,

I hope you’ve had a good week. I seem to be fully recovered from surgery, so I’m happy about that. Leonard has done a good job playing nurse…which mostly involves sitting on my lap and preventing me from writing.

Mom, you don’t need to reach that keyboard, right?

I’ve also gotten some time to read and to watch some TV, so I thought I’d bring you the best of what I’ve read/watched lately. It’s been a rare week. I managed to not only read a book that earned my 5-star rating but also watched a movie that did the same.

A stellar weekend read

First up, let’s talk books. And yes, I know I’m behind on this one. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was everywhere last year and was a New York Times #1 Bestseller, but I had picked it up last year, read the first couple of chapters, and then put it down. I think I just wasn’t in the mood for that type of read at the time. (#moodreader)

But then this week, I saw it sitting on my nightstand and decided to give it another try. I was hooked quickly this time and finished it in two days. If you’re into audiobooks, it was also very well done on audio. I jumped back and forth between my hardcover copy and the audiobook from the library, which is one of my favorite ways to read these days because I don’t have to stop reading if I have to get in the car or go for a walk. :)

About the book:

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. 

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.  

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

This is one of those books that has such a unique voice that you know only this particular author could write this particular story. Elizabeth Zott made me think of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory in many ways because she’s brilliant but doesn’t pick up on social cues.

However, the interesting thing about her not picking up on social cues is that the cues she’s not understanding are the ones that in her time (the early 1960s) kept women “in their place.” She just cannot see why she should have to be treated any differently or have any less opportunity because she’s a woman. Why can’t she wear pants? They’re practical. Why should she get married? What purpose does that serve? But she’s not bucking against those things to make a political statement, she just truly doesn’t understand why people would be so illogical about gender.

I loved seeing the world through her perspective because it underlines how absurd all those discriminations were/are. Not just that they were wrong but that they didn’t make logical sense.

However, as much as I liked Elizabeth, my favorite character was her dog, Six-Thirty. You’ll have to read to find out why he’s named that, but he actually gets his own point of view in the book. Dog POV. Yes. Normally, this would be cheesy or wouldn’t work for me but he was my FAVORITE. I loved seeing the world through his intelligent doggie mind.

So, if you are one of the few people who didn’t read this book last year, I highly recommend you give it a try. It was a delight. (But give it a little time. I think it took me until around the 20% mark to really get hooked.)

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Something to watch for Oscars weekend

Usually, when I recommend books or movies, I try to find ones that you haven’t heard about everywhere. But for today’s newsletter, I’m just going to lean into the “you’ve heard about it everywhere” theme—because if you’re anything like I am, sometimes hearing about things EVERYWHERE makes you not want to watch them because you figure it’s being overhyped.

I’m here to tell you that one movie that you’re hearing all the Oscar buzz about deserves all the hype (at least in my humble opinion.)

My husband and I watched Everything Everywhere All At Once last weekend (streaming on Showtime) and…wow. I went in not knowing what it was about. If I had known it was a multiverse plot, I would’ve watched it sooner because y’all know I love a multiverse or time loop or anything that plays with that kind of trope.

For the first fifteen minutes of this movie, we had no idea what was going on. My husband paused it and turned to me and said, “I have no idea what’s happening, but I’m totally in.” I laughed, saying I felt the same way. The start was disorienting but compelling. You couldn’t look away.

But soon after that, they give you insight into what’s happening. I’m not going to give anything away beyond that, (and don’t watch the trailer. I was going to post it above but it gives away too much. Go in mostly blind if you can.) But what I will say is that the movie perfectly nailed that line between being an action-packed, special effects show and a character-driven family drama. I am a character-driven reader/watcher/writer, so I’m often disappointed by action movies because it’s all plot and explosions and little characterization, but this one found that sweet spot in between.

Don’t watch it when you’re sleepy though. You need to pay attention. :)

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Something steamy to read…

I’d also like to give a quick happy release day shoutout to my fellow erotic romance author, Adriana Anders. Y’all know I’m picky about my erotic romance, and Adriana is one of those authors whose books I know I can count on to give me a steamy, well-written read.

I have not read this newest one yet, but I read book one in the Camp Haven/Kink Camp series, Hunted, and really enjoyed it. Possession is book two, but you can jump into the series anywhere.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you have a great weekend!

What have you read or watched lately that was fantastic?

*Book links are affiliate links (Amazon, Libro.fm, and/or Bookshop.org), which means I earn a small commission if you buy through my links. Also, I receive advanced listening copies of some audiobooks through Libro.fm’s Influencer program. However, all reviews and opinions are my own.