Atmosphere: A GMA Book Club Pick

A Love Story

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio, Julia Whelan, Taylor Jenkins Reid

GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

“Thrilling . . . heartbreaking . . . uplifting . . . the fast-paced, emotionally charged story of one ambitious young woman, finding both her voice and her passion.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

“NASA? Space missions? The ’80s? This is a collection of all the things I love.”—Andy Weir, author of Project Hail Mary and The Martian

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 easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted 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, it all changes in an instant.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting listeners to iconic times and places, creating complex protagonists, and telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love—this time among the stars.

©2025 Taylor Jenkins Reid (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Thrilling . . . heartbreaking . . . uplifting. . . Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel, Atmosphere, is the fast-paced, emotionally charged story of one ambitious young woman finding both her voice and her passion as she fights to become one of the first female NASA astronauts in the 1980s. You’ll barrel through this electric novel, rooting for the women to not only succeed in the space program but to soar. A pitch-perfect ending . . . I loved it.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

“NASA? Space missions? The ʼ80s? This is a collection of all the things I love. . . . Great story, excellent research and accuracy, and a thrilling conclusion.”—Andy Weir, author of The Martian

Absolutely incredible

This might be TJR’s best book yet. Beautiful, lovely, and deeply moving while also incredibly engaging intellectually. The characters were so dynamic and real, and the narration was perfection. I loved every minute.

Great adventure and love story

This book has the right stuff in the best possible way. And good narration all around.

Practically Perfect

This, wow, this is my new favorite book by THE TJR, which is a mighty statement because I have loved all her books.
*It's not overwritten - she doesn't drag this book out endlessly for a quota. Each sentence matters. Each character has weight.
*The story is exciting
*I have not cried this much over a book since Okay for Now
*I was captivated- the entire time, never bored, my mind didn't wander
*First book I finished in under 48 hours in years
*Everything I hoped for
I was so excited this plot was about astronauts - and it LIVED up to those hopes and far exceeded my expectations. The sheer research she must have undergone for this one.
Truly, Reid could write about a phone book and I'd be here for it. She can do no wrong.


New Current Line Up for TJR Favorites:
Atmosphere
Daisy Jones and The Six
Carrie Soto is Back
Evelyn Hugo
and
Malibu Rising

Concept 6/5
Setting 5/5 (nothing is overly descriptive, which works well)
Characters 5/5
Plot 5/5
Coherence 5/5
Romance 4/5
Would I re-read 100%
Audio Reader 5/5
Audio Speed 1.7x

Verdict- To Infinity and Beyond

4.5⭐️s Atmosphere and Taylor Jenkins Reid Soar

Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best—spinning a sweeping, emotionally charged tale of love, life, identity, and yes…space. It’s titled a love story, but it feels like so much more, making Atmosphere a triumph. Taylor Jenkins Reid proves once again that she can make the air around her stories electric.

Outstanding!

Absolutely the best book I read of 2025! A compelling story, relatable, characters, real family situations feelings, the desire to be loved and find belonging and a home. It was breathtaking and has left me speechless.

Caught off guard

Loved the book. Julia Whalen is always amazing. I did not expect the relationship of the 2 women. Otherwise fantastic.

Wonderful story!

I loved everything about this book! It makes you think about our small part in this vast world and how love in any form is worth giving it all!

Never felt so invested in a book about space

Yes! So good. Happy and heart wrenching. Wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was so much better

Absolutely loved!!

The connections between God, space, humans, love…written so beautifully! 5 star read from TJR!

So good!

Beautiful story and great character development. Taylor Jenkins Reid does not disappoint in this novel❤️