Atmosphere

This was hard to classify, as it skirts the line between romance and thriller! I chose “romance,” but it’s so much more than that: intensely researched, deeply suspenseful! I had pre-ordered this a year ago and was thrilled when it arrived in the mail. A perfect excuse to stay home, curl up, and pathologically read. TJR is one of my favorite authors, and this one did not disappoint. Also, it has to have been a massive undertaking to write, as it is about astronauts going to space! This has everything: romance, thrills (it’s stressful sometimes), laughter, and tears. I experienced such a range of emotions reading it. Joan Goodwin is a professor of astrophysics and a doting auntie. She’s always led a quiet, lonely life, but is happy! Meanwhile, she has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. When she gets the opportunity to apply to be one of the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program, she jumps at the chance. She applies, and (out of thousands of applicants), makes the cut. In her class of candidates, she finds a group of best friends and a chosen family. Joining this team has changed her life. She finds purpose, friendship, and even romantic love. Then, in 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes instantly. I will say no more, but parts of this are HIGH STRESS in the best possible way. This was an ambitious book, and one that I enjoyed reading. I also loved the 80s nostalgia!