Atmosphere

 Atmosphere is on of those books that I would have let slip by.  It was talked about on every show and on every best book list.  But again I ahd to read it for my book discussion group so I bit the bullet and dove in.

So glad I did.  It turned out to be a very entertaining and interesting story.  Looking back at a time when women were still not given equal rights with men.  They were not paid the same rate that men were.  They were still expected to be the houseewife and mother.  They were not really supposed to want a career especially one that wold get in the way of taking care of the home and being there to welcome your husband home from work.

Joan Goodwin wants to break all those barriers.  She has always been in love with the stars and fascinated with the planets and the sky.  She is not interested in the life her parents and sister think she should lead.  She goes to flight school and becomes an astronaut.  She is thrilled to actually be flying and practicing for a space mission. She is also very good, calm and level headed in the control room.  

Until there is a catastrophe and her best closest friend is in danger up in space with her crew. Joan finds out how important relationships and friendships can be. She also finds out how important family is .

It was a very compelling story and also there were many facts about space and the space program.