Atmosphere

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere is a sweeping, emotionally charged novel set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program. The story follows Joan Goodwin, an astrophysics professor whose dreams of becoming an astronaut come true when she is selected for NASA’s first cohort of female candidates. As Joan endures the grueling demands of astronaut training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, she forges deep connections with her fellow trainees—especially Vanessa Ford, an enigmatic aeronautical engineer with whom Joan develops a secret, life-changing romance. The novel masterfully blends technical detail and historical authenticity with a heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and the sacrifices required to pursue both love and greatness, particularly for women and queer individuals in a restrictive era. Reid’s signature style—intimate character work woven into a richly researched historical setting—makes Atmosphere a poignant meditation on the boundaries we push, both in outer space and within ourselves.