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Atmosphere

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Atmosphere

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrated by: Kristen Dimercurio, Julia Whelan, Taylor Jenkins Reid
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

AN EPIC NOVEL SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE 1980S SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS WE GO TO LIVE AND LOVE BEYOND OUR LIMITS.

In the summer of 1980, astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin begins training to be an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond; mission specialists John Griffin and Lydia Danes; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer. As the new astronauts prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined and begins to question everything she believes about her place in the observable universe.

Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.

Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers 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.

'Tipped to be this summer's big read' Sunday Times

'Quite possibly our favourite TJR novel yet...Even if you're not a big space fan, you can't help but fall for this cosmic tale.' Cosmopolitan

'An ambitious novel that explores human limitation, sacrifice and the essence of love itself.' Woman & Home

©2025 Taylor Jenkins Reid (P)2025 Penguin Audio

 20th Century Best of 2025 Editors Select Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Aviation

Editorial Review

You can’t deny the gravitational pull
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s talent is awe-inducing: both her ability to tell deeply human stories, and the research and detail that she pours into her novels, effortlessly orienting the listener in time and place. In Atmosphere, we are in Houston in the 1980s, embarking on NASA’s space exploration program with its first wave of women scientists and pilots. Joan, an astronomer, is eager to become one of the first women in space, but she’s also enjoying the ride of discovering her own capabilities and growing her relationships with her fellow candidates. We jump between Joan’s early time in the program and December 29, 1984, when Joan is on the ground in Houston serving as capcom on a space mission, and something goes horribly wrong. The alternating timelines drive the suspense, as does the blossoming relationship between Joan and fellow candidate Vanessa, who is on the shuttle in 1984. Performed by Julia Whelan and Kristen DiMercurio, this book won’t let you go once you’ve entered its orbit. —Katie O., Audible Editor

Critic reviews

Tipped as the read of the summer
A richly drawn page-turner ... It would take a stony reader to turn away from its pleasures ... Melding action thriller emergency with star-crossed romance ... I'd be lying if I said my eyes weren't wet by the end
Quite possibly our favourite TJR novel yet ... Even if you're not a big space fan, you can't help but fall for this cosmic tale
A breathtaking, quietly staggering tale of female empowerment, desire, and our place in the universe
Is there a popular fiction writer alive who conveys falling in love better than Taylor Jenkins Reid?
You'll see this one on every sun lounger this summer
An ambitious novel that explores human limitation, sacrifice and the essence of love itself
Takes you on a journey to show the lengths we go to for love. Sure to be a must-read
Atmosphere is at once epic and intimate, heart-wrenching and hopeful. It's an escapist novel of the best kind with a final few pages that will leave you utterly breathless
Moving, pacey and a read that will stick with you
All stars
Most relevant
This is so far my favourite book of hers in terms of character chemistry. What this book also does incredibly well is how interesting it makes it to be inside the head of the seemingly “uninteresting” Joan. The subplot of the complicated family dynamics was done to perfection and all the flaws of it hit me hard!

The narration and production was flawless and made the story even better to listen to!

Once again I’ve ugly cried finishing a TJR book!!

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Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again. This one is just another example of her great writing and beautiful imagined and nuanced characters. So beautiful to set a love story against the wonder of space. Great narration. This story filled me with hope.

A beautiful story about love

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Joan’s dreams of becoming an astronaut become a reality while she supports her sister in raising her beloved niece. During the process she learns about herself.
I absolutely loved this!!

Fascinating descriptions of space travel especially the challenges facing the first women astronauts

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this is a gorgeous read yet again from a brilliant author. What a great insight into a different part of our world with stunning characters and a wonderful storyline. I enjoyed every minute of this book could not put it down and sad to be finished.

a stunning story full of love

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A brilliant combo of (what I presume are) facts, wonder, forbidden love and team work. Just wish there had been an epilogue. I think it finished too abruptly but then again, what do I know! Fantastic writing and narration.

Captivating

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