Bonnie Garmus
Bonnie Jean Garmus is an American author and former copywriter.
Biography
Garmus is from Seattle. She received her Bachelor's degree in creative writing/aesthetic studies from University of California, Santa Cruz. She has worked as a copywriter and creative director in the US, and has lived in Switzerland and Colombia. She currently resides in the UK.In April 2022, her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, was published. The Guardian noted its "polished, funny, thought-provoking story... it's hard to believe it's a debut". The New York Times commented on its "entertaining subplots and witty dialogue". Olimpia Mamula Steiner, a professor of chemistry, praised the book profusely: "Once you start it will be difficult to put down, as soon as you finish a chapter you immediately want to read the next one, it's almost addictive."
As of November 2023, Lessons in Chemistry had been sold into 42 territories and has a television adaptation on Apple TV+ starring Brie Larson. Éditions Robert Laffont published a French translation in May 2022 under the title La Brillante destinée d'Elizabeth Zott. Among the prizes Garmus has won are British Book Awards Author of the Year 2023, Waterstones Author of the Year 2022, the Paul Torday Memorial Prize for a first novel by an author over 60, and Forbes Magazine's 50 over 50 Europe, Middle East And Africa 2024. The book was shortlisted for the 2023 RSL Christopher Bland Prize.
Garmus enjoys open-water swimming and has rowed competitively.
In September 2024, Garmus' husband, David Erb, was a Jeopardy! contestant and went on to become a three-time Jeopardy! champion.
Awards and recognition
- British Book Awards Author of the Year 2023
- Waterstones Author of the Year 2022
- Barnes & Noble Book of the Year 2022
- ABIA International Book of the Year 2023
- The Queen's Reading Room selection
- Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards 2023: Breakthrough Author and Readers' Choice
Publications