Atmosphere

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a sweeping, emotionally resonant literary novel that blends historical fiction, science, ambition, and human connection against the high-stakes world of NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s.

The story follows Joan Goodwin, a brilliant and quietly determined astronomer who is selected to join a groundbreaking new class of astronauts at a time when space exploration—and women’s roles within it—are rapidly evolving. As Joan trains alongside fellow candidates, including the magnetic and fiercely driven Vanessa Ford, the novel explores friendship, rivalry, sacrifice, love, and the profound cost of chasing greatness.

Set between Mission Control, astronaut training facilities, and the vast unknown of space itself, Atmosphere examines what it means to dedicate your life to something larger than yourself. With Taylor Jenkins Reid’s signature emotional depth and character-driven storytelling, the novel captures both the wonder of space exploration and the intimate inner lives of those daring enough to leave Earth behind.

Rich with historical detail, scientific realism, and powerful interpersonal dynamics, Atmosphere is a moving tribute to curiosity, resilience, and the courage it takes to reach beyond the limits placed on us—by society, by fear, and by gravity itself.