# Bonnie Garmus recalls early writing and the books that inspired her

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/lessons-in-chemistry-author-bonnie-garmus-i-wrote-my-first-novel-at-12-it-has-not-yet-found-a-publisher/
- Published: 2026-10-23T09:00:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T09:22:34+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/oct/23/lessons-in-chemistry-author-bonnie-garmus-i-wrote-my-first-novel-at-12-it-has-not-yet-found-a-publisher
- Topics: Culture

## Key points

- Bonnie Garmus wrote a novel at 12 that remains unpublished.
- Harper Lee and Louise Fitzhugh influenced her outlook and writing.
- She revisited *Little Women* while trekking in Nepal.

## Summary

Bonnie Garmus, author of *Lessons in Chemistry*, describes how books shaped her reading and writing, from learning to read *Fun With Dick and Jane* at four to being inspired by Harper Lee’s *To Kill a Mockingbird*. She says Harriet the Spy encouraged her to keep a notebook and taught her the importance of owning mistakes.

Garmus wrote her first illustrated book at five and a novel at 12, neither of which has found a publisher. She recalls rediscovering *Little Women* while trekking in Nepal, admires Joan Didion’s essays and is currently reading *May We Feed the King* by Rebecca Perry. She also names *The Virgin Suicides* and William Maxwell’s *So Long, See You Tomorrow* among books she values.

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