Atmosphere
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • From the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.
“Thrilling . . . heartbreaking . . . uplifting . . . the fast-paced, emotionally charged story of one ambitious young woman, finding both her voice and her passion.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women
“NASA? Space missions? The ’80s? This is a collection of all the things I love.”—Andy Weir, author of Project Hail Mary and The Martian
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Time, NPR, People, Good Housekeeping, them, Marie Claire, Seattle Times, Book Riot, Library Journal, Chicago Public Library, She Reads, Denver Public Library
Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.
Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.
As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.
Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.
Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, creating complex protagonists, and telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love—this time among the stars.
- Pages
- 337
- First published
- June 3, 2025
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Reviews
Finished September 16, 2025
Finished September 16, 2025
I don’t even know that to say, I am beyond words. TJR just has a way with words. I went through so many phases reading this book the first a couple chapters I was loving it and then during the middle I struggled to connect to the stories and the characters because of the time skipping around. I thought I wasn’t going to end up loving the book because of that. But slowly as Vanessa and Joan started to fall in love I started to fall in love with them too. By the end of the book I didn’t want to let them go. So far every TJR book I have read started out with me questioning if I even liked or felt a connection to the characters and cared about their love story but they always end with me sobbing uncontrollably. I am in fact not even remotely okay right now Oh and also fuck Barbra.
Finished August 26, 2025
*“I was circling two hundred miles above the Earth, and all I wanted was to get home and see you. Do you understand that? Do you understand that I don’t care how big or small this world is, that you are the center of mine? Do you understand that, to someone, you are everything that matters on this entire planet?”* What I loved: ✿ nerdy lesbians in love go to space ✿ chosen and found family dynamics ✿ astronomical prose Though this book wasn't bad by any means (I don't think TJR is capable of writing something bad) I was a little underwhelmed by most of the characters and the story. The most interesting aspect for me personally was the biological relationship between Joan and her niece, and I so wanted more from that part of the story line. There was something so incredibly precious about Joan's love and commitment for her niece. Trigger warnings: Death, Homophobia, Abandonment, Vomit, Sexism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Miscarriage [✿ Connect with me on instagram ✿](https://www.instagram.com/bookbestie_storm?igsh=aTh6eTZ6dGwxMXpy&utm_source=qr)
Started July 2, 2026 · Finished July 10, 2026 · Read 2 times
Such a good book, I loved the space aspects, the time jumps, the anticipation. THE ENDING! The last 50 pages were so good, and just I have no words to describe my feelings. I’m crying and happy. I really liked the characters in this book, it showed them learning, growing, communicating, caring for one another, becoming a team and so much more. I loved Joan and Vanessa’s story, and how they cares for Frances. I would definitely recommend.
Started August 19, 2025 · Finished August 21, 2025
This is the first book in a long time that as soon as I finished I wanted to start it over and read it again. So well written, this should be adapted to film ASAP! it reminded me a lot of "For All Mankind" on appleTV (highly recommend that show if you enjoyed this book). Once again I feel like these characters exist in my world and want to root for them like I would any other celebrity. There were some characters I loved and some I hated, but it felt so realistic. The perfect blend of scifi and romance, absolutely loved it! 10/10! 🌶️ 1/5 Not really spicy, but has a big focus on emotional intimacy that was really refreshing. The main relationship in this is complex and heartwarming. Such a beautiful read ❤️
Started August 1, 2026 · Finished August 2, 2026
Started March 31, 2026 · Finished April 3, 2026
Finished March 2, 2026
I wasn't expecting this to make me cry....several times, but it did. I really enjoyed that this honored the badassery of the women astronauts that helped to claim their spots within NASA and the space industry. These women weren't just reaching for the stars they were bulldozing paths for all the future girls who wanted to grow up just like them! Watching Vanessa and Joan learn each other, challenge each other, and ultimately find a balance that defied NASA standards was powerful! This was powerful, unforgettable, and tender!
Started July 9, 2026 · Finished July 11, 2026
Started August 28, 2025 · Finished September 2, 2025
Finished June 10, 2025
- adventurousemotionalhopefulFast-paced
Finished July 16, 2025
too busy crying to write a review right now 😭
Finished June 22, 2025
