I started this book because of the praise I read and heard, and largely because it was narrated by Julia Whelan, who I enjoy. I did not understand it was a love story, not a genre I normally read. Wow, sitting in my office listening to the final chapters, I was in tears. Take a good read to have that effect! No spoilers, I’ll only ask the question; tears of sadness or tears of joy?
I received the following recommendation, so I am giving it a go.
If you’ve ever looked at the stars and felt a pull toward the unknown, Atmosphere is your next essential read. Taylor Jenkins Reid, the master of the “modern classic,” takes us back to the high-stakes world of 1980s NASA. This isn’t just a story about space travel; it’s a deeply intimate exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and the quiet courage it takes to be “the first.”
The Hook: We follow Joan Goodwin, an astronomy professor who dares to leave her quiet life to join the first class of female astronaut candidates. Amidst grueling physical tests and the stifling sexism of the era, she finds an unexpected, life-altering love with a fellow trainee.
The Payoff: You should read this book for its “science with a soul.” Reid manages to make technical NASA protocols feel as thrilling as a countdown, all while weaving a heart-wrenching narrative about the gravity of human connection. Whether you’re a space nerd or a lover of epic character dramas, Atmosphere will leave you breathless, reminded that the most vast frontiers aren’t in the sky—they are within ourselves.
Big bonus, narrated by Julia Whelan.
- Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Historical Fiction
- Rich
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Big bonus, narrated by Julia Whelan.