Today's Read Contributor Taylor Jenkins Reid, one of the most influential voices in contemporary fiction, has once again taken the literary world by storm with her latest novel, Atmosphere. Released in early June, the book quickly shot to the top of bestseller lists and has since solidified its place as the must-read novel of the summer. Known for her emotionally rich storytelling and sharp portrayals of complex women, Reid now ventures into new thematic and narrative territory by setting her latest work against the backdrop of NASA’s early 1980s space shuttle program.
Atmosphere tells the story of Joan Goodwin, a brilliant astrophysics professor at Rice University who leaves her academic career behind to join NASA’s Group 9 training program. The plot unfolds through dual timelines, beginning with a harrowing space mission gone wrong—Joan is working in Mission Control when disaster strikes the shuttle carrying her secret partner, astronaut Vanessa Ford. As the crisis escalates, the narrative flashes back to Joan’s earlier days: her decision to pursue astronaut training, the rigorous physical and emotional demands of the program, and the unfolding of a forbidden romance at the heart of it all. Through Joan’s eyes, readers experience the thrill of scientific achievement, the quiet terror of spaceflight, and the powerful bonds that form under pressure.
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The novel is a clear departure from Reid’s usual California settings and celebrity-focused plots. Instead, Atmosphere ventures into territory rarely explored in mainstream romance—space exploration, queer identity, and the role of women in STEM fields during a time when inclusion was far from guaranteed. Reid’s ability to seamlessly merge romance with historical fiction, while maintaining accessibility and emotional depth, has drawn widespread acclaim and sparked rich conversations among critics and readers alike.
Upon release, Atmosphere received enthusiastic media coverage and was named Good Morning America’s June Book Club pick. Book Riot called it “the biggest book of the summer,” praising its ability to weave technical detail into a human story without sacrificing momentum or heart. Reid’s fans, many of whom were drawn in by previous hits like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & the Six, embraced the shift in tone and subject matter, calling Atmosphere Reid’s most ambitious novel to date.
Critics have mostly lauded the novel for its immersive storytelling and emotional nuance. The Financial Times applauded Reid’s narrative confidence, though noted that the book occasionally glosses over deeper historical and technical intricacies in favor of character-driven drama. Others pointed to the sentimental undertones of the love story, which some felt slightly undercut the intensity of the larger themes. Still, the consensus has been largely favorable, especially in regard to Reid’s portrayal of a lesbian relationship grounded in realism rather than melodrama.
The novel’s depth is bolstered by Reid’s extensive research. In interviews, she has shared that the idea for Atmosphere came while stargazing with her daughter, which prompted a personal and artistic curiosity about the women who helped pioneer America’s space program. With guidance from former NASA flight director Paul Dye, Reid spent months learning the technical language of spaceflight and immersing herself in the day-to-day workings of Johnson Space Center to accurately capture the era.
A film adaptation is already in development, with directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, known for their work on Captain Marvel, tapped to bring the story to the screen. This early greenlight speaks to the novel’s cinematic quality and its timely, resonant themes of ambition, identity, and the costs of choosing one path over another.
With Atmosphere, Reid has not only delivered another compelling love story but has also expanded the scope of popular fiction by centering a female astronaut in a genre that often sidelines technical women in favor of glamour or tragedy. The book offers a rare blend of intellectual curiosity and emotional gravitas, making it both an engaging summer read and a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to risk everything for love and purpose.
As summer continues, Atmosphere remains a cultural touchstone—one that reflects the power of storytelling to inspire, challenge, and connect readers across generations. It cements Reid’s reputation as a literary force capable of transcending genre and geography while staying true to the emotional core that defines her work.
