A huge thank you to @fsgbooks for sending me an ARC of Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino, which quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year. This book follows Adina, an alien, as she dutifully faxes her observations about life on Earth back to her home planet superiors, starting during her childhood.

This book was so tender! Adina is highly sensitive, and her observations on what it means to be human were so funny and wholesome. Her relationship with her single mom evolves beautifully over the years, and the way Adina narrates everything from teen jealousy and bullying, to crushes and friendship, love, and loss feels so achingly real.

This one made my cry at the end, and it wasn’t forced, it was perfect. I loved it so much. Highly recommend! Even if you aren’t really a sci-fi person, don’t let that hold you back. Yes, Adina is an alien, but at its core, this is a deeply human story.
.