About

ATOMIC ANNA is Rachel’s second novel. The New York Times Book Review said, “The novel is masterfully plotted.” The LA Review of Books called it “propulsive and intimate.” In a *starred* review Kirkus wrote, “The book is an incredible achievement… As ambitious as a Greek tragedy and just as lyrical and unflinching.” In a *starred* review from Publishers Weekly the editors wrote, “Barenbaum burnishes her reputation as an up-and-coming talent with this audacious time travel story…. Barenbaum dares greatly, and succeeds.” The novel is longlisted for the Massachusetts Book Award, was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award, and was named an Honor Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries for their 2022 Fiction Award
Rachel’s debut, A BEND IN THE STARS, was named a New York Times Summer Reading Selection and a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. It is also a Boston Globe Bestseller.
Rachel is a prolific writer and reviewer whose work has appeared in publications such as the LA Review of Books, Harper’s Bazaar, and more. She has been a Scholar in Residence at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute at Brandeis and Ucross. She is a graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator. She founded and runs the popular podcast, Check This Out, which is produced and sponsored by the Howe Library and features new and diverse writers. She has degrees from Harvard in Business and Literature and Philosophy. She lives in Brookline, MA and is an elected Town Meeting Member.
Rachel’s literary agent is Eve Attermann at WME. Her film rights agents are Elizabeth Wachtel and Nicole Weinroth also at WME.