Into Space

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a story of adventure as well as romantic and familial love taking place during the 1980s.

Joan is a brilliant scientist and teacher. She applies to NASA and is accepted which sets her on a new and exciting path. Her goal is to be one of the first female astronauts.

Her training group includes many talented men and women. The women have additional pressure to earn their positions. Over time, Joan realizes that she has strong feelings for another woman in her training group, Vanessa.

Joan and Vanessa navigate their secret relationship. Meanwhile, Joan is also involved in caring for her niece Frances. Joan’s sister Barbara had Frances at a very young age, and is a self- absorbed mother. Joan’s role to Frances has often been a second mom.

Joan’s love for Frances was beautifully depicted. The description of love for a child as an “ache for every version…saying goodbye to the girl she used to be and falling in love again with the girl she was becoming” (68% into book) deeply resonated with my emotions around my own kids right now.

Eventually, Joan earns the opportunity to both go to space, and later to be part of Mission Control during Vanessa’s excursion. Vanessa’s mission does not go according to plan, which is the present day story throughout the book.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected to and really liked Joan’s character. She is strong, smart, pure and fiercely loyal and loving.