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

Taylor Jenkins ReidKristen DimercurioJulia WhelanTaylor Jenkins ReidCornerstone Digital

20th Century

Best of 2025

Editors Select

Genre Fiction

Historical Fiction

Literary Fiction

Women's Fiction

Heartfelt

Thought-Provoking

Aviation

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

Most relevant

I love TJR’s books, but I am not particularly into NASA or space, so I wasn’t sure if this book would appeal to me. I’m so silly to have doubted it! The story is gripping from chapter 1, and the love between the characters is so well written - relatable yet also aspirational. I especially loved the relationship between Joan and Francis, and the complicated situation with the sister, Barbara. I definitely recommend this book, 10/10!