Have you ever picked up a book with zero expectations and ended up surprised by how deeply it stuck with you?
That’s exactly what happened to me with Atmosphere.
This book crossed my feed, probably because I read a lot and share a lot of Book of the Week articles. It was highly rated. It was outside my normal lane. So I figured, why not. I’m glad I did.
From the very first page, the Author’s Note pulled me in. Taylor shares a personal story about the stars and how they shaped her life. That hit home. My dad taught me a very similar lesson growing up. I miss those nights, standing outside, staring into a dark sky, learning constellations, dreaming big. Back then, I wanted to be a pilot. Space fascinated me. That single page hooked me.
What This Book Is Really About
At its core, Atmosphere is an intriguing story set during the early days of the space shuttle program, told through the eyes of a female astronaut fighting for her seat in space. It’s about ambition, pressure, sacrifice, identity, and yes, love. Strip away the NASA suits and it’s a human story. A love story at heart.
Why It Hit Me Emotionally
This book brought back memories of my younger self. Looking up at the stars with my dad. Wondering what was possible. I found myself rereading passages, especially toward the end. That doesn’t happen often for me.
I couldn’t fully relate to the direction the love story took, but it made me reflect on my relationship with Melisa and on family in general. Love is love. Family dynamics are family dynamics. We all deal with them in one way or another. That’s what makes the book relatable even if the story itself isn’t your life.
Drive, Pressure, And Earning Your Seat
I absolutely related to Joan’s dedication to her goal. She was locked in. Becoming an astronaut wasn’t a hobby. It was the mission.
That felt familiar.
Building Window Ninjas came with pressure, setbacks, trial and tribulations. That’s part of the process. Same with astronauts. Same with any goal worth achieving. Nothing great comes easy, and this book reinforces that truth without preaching it.
Sacrifice And The Cost Of Building Something Meaningful
I’ve been making sacrifices my entire life. Some welcomed, some not. And here’s the truth most people don’t like to talk about. Sacrifices aren’t always celebrated by friends or family.
Entrepreneurship has cost me friendships, time, and mental clarity. It has also given me the ability to build the life I want to live and financial freedom. I didn’t experience the same identity crisis Joan goes through, but I understand it. It takes time to become who you truly are and allow the world to see it.
Leadership And Loneliness
This book carries an underlying loneliness, and that part was real for me.
When you’re a little out of the norm, whether it’s how you think, how you live, or how you chase goals, loneliness shows up. Leadership is lonely. Success can make people drift away. Maybe it’s lost relatability. Maybe it’s growth. Probably both.
How do I deal with it now? I try to be kind. I try to do the right thing. I lift people up. It’s hard, especially when you see people slipping because of their mindset and attitude.
Life is hard. Life is also rewarding. If you live it right, happiness follows.
Why This Book Hit Me Now
Twenty-year-ago Gabe wouldn’t have related to this book the same way. My ambition has evolved. I’ve captured a large portion of the life I once envisioned. I’m still ambitious, just not as aggressive as I was at 25 or 35. This book met me exactly where I am.
The Lesson I Walked Away With
Love and building the life you dream of living are intertwined. The book validated many decisions I’ve made. It didn’t challenge my beliefs, but it reinforced something important. We all go through personal, professional, and family challenges. Becoming yourself takes time.
Golden Squeegee Rate
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Golden Squeegees.
I didn’t love the politics woven into parts of the book, but the story was fantastic. It kept me hooked. I didn’t want to put it down. I would reread it, and I already have another Taylor Jenkins Reid book in mind.
This is a great beach read. A great Audible listen in the car. A great pick if you want to be entertained and reflect at the same time.
Grab this book. Enjoy it. It will put a smile on your face.
“An open mind is a smart mind.
A disciplined mind creates the life you dream of.”
This book proves both.
Atmosphere reminded me that life is a series of choices, relationships, challenges, and love. The sooner you stop resisting those truths and start working with them, the better your life becomes.
Keep Shining.
