Goodreads says, "Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.
Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easy-going even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.
As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.
Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.
Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars."
Joan Goodwin has always been interested in space. As an astrophysicist professor, it's been her life's work, so when NASA is looking for females to join their space program, she jumps at the idea of joining such a prestigious organization. However, once she gets there, she she realizes that things are still very sexist at NASA in the 1980s. As she gets to know the other scientists training, she realizes that some, more than others, are ready to help women break into the field. She also befriends other women in her program, such as Lydia and Vanessa. The more the group works together and gets to know one another, the more they feel like family. Meanwhile, Joan has to balance her personal life with such a demanding career; it isn't easy and her personal life is anything but that as well. Reid also flashes back to a space disaster in 1984, which keeps readers flipping the pages to find out what happens to these interesting and beloved characters. Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest novel, Atmosphere, is a heart-pounding tale that her legions of fans will surely enjoy.
I really loved the character of Joan from the beginning of Atmosphere. Her complex relationship with her sister, Barbara, and her niece was central to the story. Barbara is insufferable, and Joan often has to pick up the pieces of her disastrous life. Also, Joan's friendships with her colleagues at NASA are portrayed very well, and I think Reid effectively captures the sexism that women often face in this field. As readers get to know Joan better, they realize that her love life is far from easy. When combined with her demanding career, this leads to a lot of conflicts for her.
While I am not the biggest fan of space-themed novels, I think Reid did a fantastic job bringing it to life in Atmosphere. There were various parts that kept me in suspense and readers can tell Reid did a phenomenal job researching what it takes to work at NASA. My only complaint with Atmosphere is that it took a while for me to get hooked and feel connected to the characters. But once Reid hooked me in, I was glued to the story.
I listened to the audiobook of Atmosphere and as always, Julia Whelan hit it out of the park. There were other chapters narrated by Kristen DiMercurio, who also did a great job depicting Vanessa. They both did an outstanding job.
So, if you are looking for a beach read that is a bit different than the usual fare, look no further. Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere is out of this world.
I'm next in line for the Libby audiobook and am quite excited to listen. I haven't been able to listen to a TJR audio since Daisy Jones, but have become a huge fangirl of Julia Whelan - so I'm expecting this one to be a great listening experience if nothing else, haha ...
ReplyDeleteI actually love space-related books, and of course it's TJR! Great review, I can't wait to read this one!
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