Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a delightful blend of historical fiction and women’s fiction that has captured the hearts of many readers. If you loved this book, you’re probably on the hunt for more novels that offer a mix of compelling characters, witty writing, and thought-provoking themes. Here are 15 books that promise to deliver just that.
Books Similar to Lessons in Chemistry Bonnie Garmus
1. The Rosie Project
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a heartwarming and humorous tale about a socially awkward genetics professor who creates a scientific survey to find the perfect wife. What he doesn’t expect is Rosie, a woman who defies all his criteria yet captures his heart. This book is perfect for those who enjoyed the quirky and intelligent characters in Lessons in Chemistry.
2. Where’d You Go, Bernadette
Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette is a satirical and witty novel about an agoraphobic architect who goes missing, leaving her teenage daughter to piece together the mystery. The book’s unique narrative style and sharp humor make it a great follow-up read.
3. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine introduces readers to Eleanor, a socially isolated woman whose routine life is disrupted by an unexpected friendship. This novel’s exploration of loneliness and human connection will resonate with fans of Lessons in Chemistry.
4. The Atomic City Girls
The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard is a historical fiction novel set during World War II, focusing on the women who worked on the Manhattan Project. The strong female characters and historical backdrop will appeal to readers who enjoyed the scientific and historical elements in Lessons in Chemistry.
5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a non-fiction book that tells the story of the woman behind the HeLa cells, which have been vital to many scientific breakthroughs. This book’s blend of science and human interest makes it a compelling read for those who appreciated the scientific themes in Lessons in Chemistry.
6. The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees is a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s South, featuring a young girl who finds solace and family among a group of beekeeping sisters. The strong female relationships and historical setting will appeal to fans of Garmus’s novel.
7. The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale is a gripping tale of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France who each embark on dangerous paths to resist the German occupation. The strong, resilient female characters and historical context make it a must-read.
8. The Book Thief
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is a poignant and beautifully written novel set in Nazi Germany, narrated by Death and focusing on a young girl who finds solace in books. The historical elements and emotional depth make it a great choice for fans of Lessons in Chemistry.
9. Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies is a darkly comedic and suspenseful novel about three women whose lives unravel amidst secrets and lies. The strong female characters and witty writing will appeal to those who enjoyed Garmus’s style.
10. The Help
Kathryn Stockett’s The Help explores the lives of African American maids in 1960s Mississippi and the young white woman who tells their stories. The book’s exploration of social issues and strong female voices will resonate with readers of Lessons in Chemistry.
11. Educated
Tara Westover’s memoir Educated chronicles her journey from growing up in a strict and abusive household to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The themes of resilience and the pursuit of knowledge make it a compelling read for fans of Garmus’s novel.
12. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows’s The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a charming novel set in post-World War II England, told through letters between a writer and the quirky residents of Guernsey. The historical setting and engaging characters will appeal to readers who enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry.
13. The Light Between Oceans
M.L. Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans is a heart-wrenching tale of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who find a baby adrift in a boat and decide to raise her as their own. The emotional complexity and moral dilemmas in this novel will captivate fans of Garmus’s storytelling.
14. The Alice Network
Kate Quinn’s The Alice Network is a historical novel that intertwines the stories of two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in World War I and an American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947. The strong female characters and historical intrigue make it a great follow-up read.
15. A Gentleman in Moscow
Amor Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow tells the story of a Russian count who is sentenced to house arrest in a grand hotel for decades. The novel’s rich historical detail and engaging protagonist make it a must-read for those who loved the depth and wit in Lessons in Chemistry.