October ‘25 Pick
Book Recap: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set against the daring ambitions of NASA’s early shuttle era, Atmosphere follows astronomer-turned-astronaut Joan Goodwin as she navigates the pressure cooker of training, a secret love that risks everything, and a catastrophe unfolding in space. When disaster strikes during mission STS-LR9, Joan faces the hardest choice of all — bearing witness from Earth while fighting to save the woman she loves among the stars
Get Atmosphere here:
Week 1 Discussion Questions (Chapters 1–7)
What were your first impressions of Joan? Did anything about her surprise you right away?
How did the opening scene make you feel — curious, tense, inspired?
Which character stood out to you the most so far, and why?
What do you think the author is trying to set up or make us notice in these first few chapters?
Were there any lines or moments that stuck with you after reading?
Week 2 Discussion Questions (Chapters 8–13)
How does this section explore the idea of identity shaped by external validation, and where do we start to see her reclaim her own narrative?
How do the settings in these chapters mirror the protagonist’s emotional state, and what scenes illustrate this parallel most vividly?
Where do we witness the protagonist beginning to establish boundaries, and do you feel those boundaries are empowering or reactionary in this section? Why?
How does the author use memory and perspective to complicate the truth, and what effect does this have on your trust in the narrator or supporting characters?
Do you think the protagonist is reinventing herself out of necessity, trauma, or ambition? What moments in these chapters best support your interpretation?
