The Wait Is Finally Over—Taylor Jenkins Reid’s New Exciting Novel Has Arrived!

      When we hear the phrase "Taylor Jenkins Reid's new novel," not much else needs to be said. We’re instantly invested because three things are guaranteed: we’re about to be taken to an epic time and place, become deeply engaged with an intriguing and complex female protagonist, and fall hard for a romantic narrative that is sure to be both sweeping and heartbreaking. These are the components we seek while crafting our summer reading lists, making the highly anticipated release of Jenkins Reid's ninth novel, Atmosphere: A Love Story, even more thrilling. Our sun loungers are calling.

      Set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle program, Atmosphere, which is available now, takes readers on an exhilarating and emotional space journey. The story centers on Joan Goodwin, a physics and astronomy professor who becomes one of the first female scientists to join NASA's Space Shuttle program. While she trains to become one of the few individuals to travel to space, Joan embarks on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and unexpected love that challenges everything she thought she understood about herself.

      With a film adaptation already in development, Atmosphere is poised to be one of the summer's biggest releases, if not the year's, solidifying Jenkins Reid—known for beloved works like Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo—as a literary powerhouse. This novel follows a self-imposed three-year hiatus for the author, but that much-needed time off provided Jenkins Reid with the opportunity to craft her next successful story. Here, we converse with the author about why she chose NASA for her next romance, her vision for the film, and her decision to step away from BookTok.

      After your debut novel, you released books at a rapid pace—nearly one each year. Following the publication of Carrie Soto Is Back in 2022, you mentioned needing a longer break before your next project. Why did that break seem necessary, and what did you concentrate on during that time?

      The writing of Soto made me reflect on my work-life balance. It’s a story about a woman with a singular focus on achieving her goals, which critiques her relentless pursuit leading to an imbalanced life. She over-prioritizes some areas while neglecting others, and the book expresses a wish for her to recognize this. After writing that, I had to introspect and understand that I was doing something similar, albeit differently.

      My aspirations were always based on internal metrics rather than external validation. I never aimed to be the best; instead, I wanted to ensure everyone was happy with me. This needed reflection made me decide to take a break. I declared, "I won't publish for three years. I’ll take the necessary time to figure out the essence of my next book. I'll allow myself to conduct thorough research without feeling rushed, and meanwhile, I’ll relax and spend time with my family."

      While I've been working on this book, I also saw the release of the Daisy Jones TV show, which kept me engaged. However, I took vacations, traveled with my family to Europe, rented a beach house in Malibu to unwind, and allowed myself to feel a bit bored and recharge. This has significantly impacted not only my enthusiasm for writing (because I now have the energy for it) but also my gentler approach to life.

      It's interesting that you mention boredom, as that can be a tough and frightening experience for many, often leading to burnout.

      That’s certainly true for many today—especially in America. We equate our value with productivity. People often ask, “What have you accomplished today?” We view ourselves as hardworking individuals, and relaxation feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. That internal dialogue telling me, “You’re not doing enough,” can be overwhelming, and I’m trying to counter it. It feels like a game of Whac-a-Mole—each time I dismiss one thought, another pops up. By caring for ourselves, we create space for joyful moments and have more energy to tackle the necessary tasks with joy. It’s like the adage that when you stop searching for love, you might find it; learning to relax can enhance your productivity.

      When did you realize you were ready to begin writing Atmosphere? Did you have a specific timeline, or was it more flexible?

      I knew it wouldn’t be the usual two-year cadence I had before. Once the story started taking shape, I recognized I wanted to write about female astronauts, but I needed to research NASA to truly understand how to structure the story. Initially, I had a concept of a solitary voice communicating with people on a ship, but I wasn’t sure of the time period or events. I allowed myself ample time to let the story develop rather than rushing to produce something immediately. I always knew the protagonist's name was Joan and that she was an astronaut, which set the foundation for everything else.

      What led you to choose the 1980s Space Shuttle program as the ideal backdrop for Joan's