This is already the author’s ninth book, which immediately became a “The New York Times” bestseller and was chosen as the best historical novel at the 2025 “Goodreads Choice Awards.” The creator states that she deliberately sought a new environment traditionally considered a male domain, where she could explore women’s experiences, and chose the space theme for this purpose.
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Research and authenticity of information
Before starting this project, the writer knew nothing about spacecraft and astronautics. However, T. J. Reid claims that she enjoys intensive research and information searching, so she consciously likes to dive into complex and unfamiliar topics. Preparing to write, the author visited the Johnson Space Center in Houston, toured the Apollo mission control center, and browsed old NASA documents from the 1970s about the mechanics of the spacecraft cargo bay doors.
To achieve authenticity and factual accuracy, the author sought help from unfamiliar professionals in this field. The most help in writing the book came from Paul Dye, the longest-serving manned flight director in NASA history. He dedicated many hours to the writer, explaining spacecraft mechanics, the specifics of the mission control center, and helping to technically and logically arrange the scenario of the space accident described in the book.
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Women in space in a historical context
The center of “Atmosphere” is Joan Goodwin, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, who in the 1980s decided to join NASA’s spacecraft program, which at that time opened its doors to women for the first time. The plot unfolds along two timelines: the early astronaut training phase and 1984, when one of the missions experiences an accident. Besides the direct NASA context, the book also tells a forbidden romantic story between Joan and another program participant, Vanessa Ford, in the homophobic professional environment of that time.
Book adaptation
The book has already attracted the film industry. It has been confirmed that the novel will be adapted by the filmmaking duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, best known as the directors of the film “Captain Marvel.”
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Prepared by Milda Gaulienė, “Baltos lankos”
According to sources: Time, People, Entertainment Weekly, NRP
