Right from the start we meet Joan, Donna, Lydia, and Vanessa, all women with diverse backgrounds, all women who qualify to enter the space program at NASA. The year is 1980. Before Sally Ride and before women went to space. These women must prove themselves... to the powers that be in NASA and to the men sitting next to them in the classroom. (It's a familiar story in that way) But what isn't familiar is the NASA program and the training that goes into it. What isn't familiar is a love story that is forbidden in many ways, and especially if you're going up in space.
Taylor Jenkins Reid does an amazing job creating these complex characters in an equally complex world that she somehow opens up to us so that we are in that world learning what goes into the making of an astronaut. She packs so much information in that I have to look back at the book to remember it's only 337 pages. It's not dry information, it's exciting. She makes you understand why these women want to do this...
And then there are the relationships, because no matter what job you have, if you work alongside people there will always be relationships. We get to know these characters. Really get to know them. Which really makes their lives matter to us, the readers. And then there are a few relationships that really shine in this book, that make this book more than a ride into space.
First, Joan has a niece that she's "basically" raised since birth. Joan's sister is, well, you'll find out. Let's just say she isn't really the best mother. In her defense, she got pregnant at a young age. Joan is her niece's rock. Their story is a special one in the book.
Then there is the story of Vanessa and Joan. I didn't expect that...
"Happiness is so hard to come by. I don't understand why anyone would begrudge anyone else for managing to find it." ...Joan to Vanessa in Atmosphere
Slowly developed in the story is this friendship that changes into something bigger, something amazing, something very special. It's slow and shy at first. Then it evolves into the love story that everyone roots for. But this is 1980 and things aren't as open as they are now. There are stigmas and things that must be kept secret, especially at the white button down shirts office at NASA. So, their forbidden love story takes place behind closed door and out of the way places. It truly is wonderful how Taylor Jenkins Reid develops this love story. It's so touching that you really have to ask yourself, why would anyone object to two people loving each other?
So Atmosphere navigates the story of going into space with the relationships of the people behind it. Joan and Vanessa is one part of the story, Joan and her niece are another part, the NASA program is another story and the other people training to become legitimate astronauts are another part of the story (and believe me there are more people to get to know besides Joan, Vanessa and Joan's niece Frances). The book is good. Taylor Jenkins Reid draws you in with her wonderful writing. The characters are wonderful and so is the plot. Atmosphere isn't a page turner as in a thriller where you desperately have to know what's going to happen next. It's a book that you'll enjoy spending time with, getting to know everyone and maybe even learning something on the way. And the ending... well, the ending... you'll just have to read it to experience that!
It's a book I would definitely recommend. I think it would be an interesting book club read too. Lots of good material to talk about...
Published by Ballentine Books and released on June 3rd, 2025
I give Atmosphere 4 spaceships!
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