atmosphere by taylor jenkins reid
sunday books #2
“Being human was such a lonely endeavor.”
quick breatherrrr before I review this one, because I ended up choking on my own tears. let’s all just take a minute to appreciate how taylor jenkins reid is an amazing storyteller who’s never steered us wrong. and although I’m sometimes not a fan of lgbtq+ romances—not because I’m homophobic, hold your horses—but because I like to relate to the romance I’m reading and imagine myself as the female lead (even though I’m happily married). still, there’s just something about the characters tjr writes that stick with you and makes even the toughest crowds love her books.
so today, sunday, the second sunday of book recommendations since my rebrand, we’ll discuss atmosphere, her newest novel, and in my opinion, her best yet??? ok, maybe not—carrie soto will always have my heart—but this one is a close second.
“In all of her time spent watching others, she hadn't picked up on this part of falling in love, that someone could look at you as if you were the very center of everything. And even though you knew better, you'd allow yourself a moment to believe you were worthy of being revolved around, too.”
and so if you find yourself in the literary world, you know about this book. most book clubs are reading it, and many of my goodreads friends have it either on their want-to-read pile or currently reading. isn’t it just so amazing, the community and discussion a good book can create?
about the book:
joan goodwin has been fascinated by the stars for as long as she can remember. quiet and thoughtful, she’s happy with her life as a physics and astronomy professor at rice university and as the devoted aunt to her sharp-witted niece, frances. that is, until she spots an ad looking for the first women scientists to join nasa’s space shuttle program. suddenly, joan’s dream of going to space feels within reach.
chosen from thousands of hopefuls in the summer of 1980, joan starts training at houston’s johnson space center with a unique group of candidates: hank redmond, a top gun pilot; john griffin, a laid-back scientist; lydia danes, a no-nonsense mission specialist; donna fitzgerald, a warm soul with secrets; and vanessa ford, a mysterious aeronautical engineer who can fix or fly just about anything.
as these astronauts bond and prepare for their missions, joan discovers a passion and love she never expected. this new perspective makes her rethink everything she thought she knew about her place in the vast universe.
then, in december 1984, during mission sts-lr9, everything changes in a heartbeat.
“Happiness is so hard to come by. I don't understand why anyone would begrudge anyone else for managing to find some of it.”
my thoughts:
from the very first page, this book grabbed me—even though i’m not usually into space stuff. as a taylor jenkins reid fan, i can say she did way more than tell a love story. she blended nasa jargon, ambition, grief, and resilience into something truly beautiful.
some of the space terms went over my head, but the characters stayed with me—especially joan and her niece, frances. their quiet, steady bond was the emotional heart of the story. joan’s fearless love for frances made her romance with vanessa even more powerful, especially in the male-dominated world of nasa where their relationship risked everything.
the story opens with a dramatic event that hooked me instantly, then rewinds to follow joan and her astronaut candidate friends through their journey. the tension kept me on edge, and the ending had me crying rivers.
besides the thrills, there are so many gentle, tender moments—joan’s secret relationship with vanessa and her loving care for frances were highlights for me.
overall, it’s fast-paced, emotional, and unforgettable—definitely one of my favorite reads of 2025.
to ponder after reading:
how does joan’s quiet, steady bond with her niece frances shape her character and influence her journey, both personally and professionally?
in a male-dominated nasa of the 1980s, how do joan and the other women astronauts navigate the systemic barriers they face?
joan’s romance with vanessa challenges her understanding of love and identity. how does this relationship redefine joan’s sense of self?
the story opens with a dramatic event and then rewinds to build suspense. how did this narrative choice affect your experience reading the book?
atmosphere is as much about ambition and resilience as it is about love. how do joan’s sacrifices highlight the tension between chasing dreams and personal relationships?