10 Books to Read If You Love Lessons in Chemistry
If you loved Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, you’re likely drawn to stories featuring smart women in fiction who bravely face societal challenges. This bestselling novel, set in 1950s and 1960s America, centres on Elizabeth Zott—a brilliant chemist navigating a male-dominated scientific world. Elizabeth’s journey, from a scientist undermined by sexism to a TV cooking show host who uses science to empower women, has captivated readers worldwide. Its unique blend of feminist historical fiction and sharp wit has sparked interest in books like Lessons in Chemistry that celebrate resilience, intellect, and defiance of outdated gender roles.
In this post, we’ll explore 10 books to read if you love Lessons in Chemistry. Each recommendation shares core themes found in Garmus’s novel: intelligent, resourceful female protagonists confronting and overcoming oppressive societal norms. Whether you seek Bonnie Garmus similar books in voice or spirit, or more tales of smart women in fiction making their mark in restrictive times, this list has you covered.
Introduction to “Lessons in Chemistry” and Its Popularity
Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a fiercely intelligent chemist working in a time when women were rarely taken seriously in science. Set during the 1950s and 1960s—a period steeped in conventional gender roles—Elizabeth’s brilliance is frequently dismissed, and she faces relentless workplace discrimination. Despite these obstacles, she refuses to conform.
Her breakthrough comes in an unexpected form: hosting the TV cooking show Supper at Six. There, Elizabeth ingeniously weaves scientific principles into everyday cooking lessons, empowering a generation of women to think critically and question societal expectations.
Elizabeth Zott stands out as an exemplar of smart women in fiction: resilient, witty, and unapologetically ambitious. The novel’s mix of feminist historical fiction and sharp humor resonates deeply, making Lessons in Chemistry a touchstone for readers craving narratives about women who defy roles and reshape their worlds. As a result, Bonnie Garmus similar books—novels with smart, determined women and historical feminist themes—have surged in popularity among fans wanting more stories like Elizabeth’s.
What Are These Book Recommendations Based On?
The 10 books recommended here build on the foundations that make Lessons in Chemistry such a powerful read. These selections focus on:
- Feminist historical fiction: Stories set in historical periods that foreground women’s struggles, achievements, and agency, often filling gaps where women’s roles have been overlooked or minimized.
- Smart women in fiction: Female protagonists with sharp intellects and strength, who challenge gender norms through courage, innovation, or activism.
- Themes of resilience and empowerment: Narratives where heroines display grit and defiance in the face of systemic gender bias, discrimination, or cultural restrictions.
- Stylistic or tonal similarities to Bonnie Garmus: Engaging storytelling often marked by wit, strong narrative voices, or inspiring messages that uplift women’s voices and intelligence.
These picks showcase women across different geographies and historical moments, all fighting to carve their own paths in male-dominated or oppressive societies. Whether it’s through science, literature, activism, or personal transformation, these books extend the legacy of Lessons in Chemistry by shining a light on smart women in fiction who refuse to be sidelined.
10 Books to Read If You Love Lessons in Chemistry
1. The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (2017)
Genre: Nonfiction, Historical
Themes: Workplace injustice, resilience, activism
One-Sentence Review: A gripping true story of courageous factory women whose fight against corporate neglect revolutionized workplace health and safety.
What You Can Expect: This narrative nonfiction chronicles early 20th-century American women working with radium-laced paint in factories. Despite suffering from mysterious illnesses, these women—often young and poor—band together to expose negligence and demand justice. Their resilience against corporate and societal dismissal echoes Elizabeth Zott’s tenacity in Lessons in Chemistry. This is a powerful tale of female workers transforming their suffering into activism and systemic change, told with vivid, engaging prose.
For readers seeking books like Lessons in Chemistry focused on female resilience and scientific contexts, The Radium Girls offers a real-life counterpart. It’s a testament to true heroines who fought for recognition and safety in a hostile, male-dominated industrial world.
2. The Power by Naomi Alderman (2016)
Genre: Science Fiction, Feminist Dystopia
Themes: Power dynamics, gender, societal upheaval
One-Sentence Review: A provocative reimagining of a world where women gain a literal, electrifying power that flips patriarchal systems.
What You Can Expect: This speculative novel explores what happens when women develop the ability to generate electricity, challenging existing power hierarchies. Its multi-perspective narrative across diverse characters and geographies examines power’s potential for both liberation and tyranny. The book’s sharp, energetic tone and feminist critique make it a standout among Bonnie Garmus similar books, offering complex, smart female leads who are far from passive.
The Power is a compelling choice for those who appreciate books like Lessons in Chemistry for their feminist inquiry and bold storytelling about women reshaping society’s rules.
3. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray (2021)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Passing, ambition, societal constraints
One-Sentence Review: A moving portrayal of Belle da Costa Greene, a Black woman navigating race and gender barriers to curate J.P. Morgan’s rare book collection.
What You Can Expect: Set in early 20th-century New York, this dual-authored novel follows Belle, who passes as white to survive in elite circles. Her story touches on intellectual ambition, secrecy, and the brutal racial and gender biases she confronts. The prose is accessible yet rich with historical detail, echoing the nuanced portrayal of an intelligent woman carving space in a restrictive world—as Elizabeth Zott does.
Fans looking for feminist historical fiction centered on smart women in fiction overcoming both racial and gender oppression will find much to admire here. It’s an inspiring addition to the canon of Bonnie Garmus similar books.
4. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (2020)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Grief, motherhood, creativity
One-Sentence Review: A lyrical reimagining of Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, whose quiet strength profoundly influences literary history.
What You Can Expect: Set in Renaissance England, this emotionally rich novel gives voice to Agnes, a woman overshadowed by her famous husband. The writing is poetic and immersive, exploring the depths of motherhood, loss, and resilience. Agnes’s intelligence and emotional strength provide a poignant portrait of a smart woman in fiction whose contributions have traditionally been ignored.
For readers who appreciate feminist historical fiction with strong female leads portrayed through lyrical and intimate storytelling—qualities found in Lessons in Chemistry—Hamnet offers a moving reflection on feminine strength in history.
5. The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (2020)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Women’s healthcare, crisis courage, female solidarity
One-Sentence Review: A gripping medical drama that highlights the bravery of women protecting life during the 1918 flu pandemic.
What You Can Expect: This novel follows a nurse and her all-female team working in a maternity ward in Dublin during the 1918 influenza outbreak. The story captures themes of caregiving under pressure and female camaraderie. The protagonist’s intelligence and moral strength mirror Elizabeth Zott’s resilience, positioning this as a strong pick for fans of smart women in fiction in historical contexts.
The Pull of the Stars broadens the scope of feminist historical fiction by spotlighting women’s critical roles in healthcare and crisis, appealing to readers seeking books like Lessons in Chemistry for their themes of empowerment and courage.
6. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (2020)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Language, gender bias, intellectual curiosity
One-Sentence Review: A fascinating exploration of a woman’s struggle to preserve language and voice in the male-dominated world of lexicography.
What You Can Expect: This story centers on Esme, a woman involved in compiling the Oxford English Dictionary who notices the exclusion of words related to women and domestic life. The novel reveals gender bias within academia and celebrates Esme’s intellectual curiosity and quietly defiant spirit. The richly detailed historical setting and lush prose enrich this portrait of a smart woman in fiction battling patriarchy with words.
Readers seeking feminist historical fiction with a focus on women’s intellectual empowerment will find this novel a rewarding complement to Lessons in Chemistry, particularly among those hunting Bonnie Garmus similar books with a strong narrative voice.
7. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (2022)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Themes: Unlikely friendship, grief, resilience
One-Sentence Review: A heartwarming tale of a widowed woman and an octopus forming an unexpected bond that leads to healing and discovery.
What You Can Expect: This contemporary novel features Tova, an elderly woman characterized by wit and independence. Blending humor and emotional depth, the story explores resilience and intelligence in later life. Though contemporary rather than historical, its emphasis on smart women in fiction and emotional strength aligns with themes in Lessons in Chemistry.
As a fresh take on womanhood and wisdom, Remarkably Bright Creatures offers readers a tender, insightful journey that complements the strength and heart found in Bonnie Garmus similar books.
8. The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict (2017)
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction
Themes: Women in science, erasure, partnership
One-Sentence Review: A powerful reimagining of Mileva Marić’s life, highlighting her scientific genius overshadowed by her famous husband.
What You Can Expect: Set in early 1900s Europe, this novel explores the complexities of academic rivalry and gender bias through Mileva’s eyes. As a physicist herself, she struggles for recognition in a male-dominated field, embodying the intellectual courage of smart women in fiction. The narrative tone is elegant and thoughtful, appealing to fans seeking books like Lessons in Chemistry for their scientific and feminist themes.
The Other Einstein illuminates the oft-forgotten contributions of women in science, resonating strongly with readers inspired by Elizabeth Zott’s narrative of defiance and intelligence.
9. Circe by Madeline Miller (2018)
Genre: Mythological Retelling, Historical Fantasy
Themes: Female agency, transformation, isolation
One-Sentence Review: A mesmerizing feminist retelling of Circe, the iconic witch who defines her own destiny against immortal gods and monsters.
What You Can Expect: Reimagining Greek mythology with a fresh feminist lens, Circe delves deep into the character’s journey of self-discovery, power, and exile. The novel’s lyrical, immersive prose and focus on female agency put it firmly within the domain of Bonnie Garmus similar books that foreground smart women in fiction. Circe’s isolation and transformation echo the defiant, boundary-pushing spirit of Elizabeth Zott.
For readers seeking mythic scale and poetic storytelling alongside feminist themes, Circe offers a rich complement to Lessons in
10. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich (2020)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Activism, indigenous rights, endurance
One-Sentence Review: Inspired by real events, follows an Ojibwe woman’s fierce fight to protect her community’s land and sovereignty in 1950s America.
What You Can Expect: Set in mid-20th-century America, this novel centers on themes of activism, cultural identity, and female resilience. The protagonist demonstrates courage and intellect in confronting systemic injustice, embodying the essence of smart women in fiction. The narrative is expansive and compassionate, blending personal and political struggles in a rich historical setting.
The Night Watchman is essential for readers drawn to feminist historical fiction spotlighting determined women activists—ideal for those hunting books like Lessons in Chemistry that explore social change through personal strength.
Conclusion
The lasting appeal of Lessons in Chemistry lies in its vibrant portrayal of Elizabeth Zott: a brilliant, resilient woman who refuses to be confined by her era’s gender expectations. This novel’s fusion of feminist historical fiction, humor, and a smart female lead has inspired many readers to seek similar stories.
The 10 books to read if you love Lessons in Chemistry recommended here expand on these powerful themes. Each features smart women in fiction navigating restrictive societies, breaking barriers in science, activism, literature, or personal empowerment. Whether through real-life stories or imaginative retellings, these titles celebrate female resilience, intellect, and agency.
For fans wanting books like Lessons in Chemistry or Bonnie Garmus similar books rich with feminist spirit and inspiring narratives, this list offers a diverse array of compelling options. Dive into these works to continue exploring stories where women challenge the status quo and shape history with courage and intelligence.
Explore these powerful tales and keep the conversation alive about women’s enduring impact on history and society.
