40 pages • 1 hour read
Lab Girl
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Book Brief
304
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
United States • 1990s
2016
Adult
18+ years
1240L
Super Short Summary
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren chronicles her journey as a geobiologist, from her Minnesota childhood to her professional career, reflecting on her bond with colleague Bill Hagopian. The memoir blends her life story with insights on plant biology, illustrating parallels between human and plant life. Sensitive topics include mental health struggles and experiences with sexism in the scientific community.
Inspirational
Informative
Contemplative
Emotional
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
78,822 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Hope Jahren’s Lab Girl explores the botany world through her personal journey, blending science and memoir. Reviewers appreciate her poetic prose, passion for plants, and candid insights into the struggles of female scientists. Criticisms often point to occasional narrative digressions and repetitive themes. Overall, the book is celebrated for making science accessible and emotionally resonant.
Who Should Read Lab Girl?
Readers fascinated by the intersection of science and personal narrative will relish Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot or The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert will appreciate Jahren's blend of memoir and botanical exploration. Ideal for those who enjoy deep dives into science with a human touch.
78,822 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
304
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
United States • 1990s
2016
Adult
18+ years
1240L
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