Beautyland, penned by the acclaimed author Marie-Helene Bertino, is a wise and tender novel that explores the concept of feeling out of place in a world that should feel like home. At the same time as the Voyager 1 spacecraft embarks on its historic journey with the famed golden record, a baby with a unique perception of the world is born. Adina Giorno, though tiny and jaundiced, is instinctively drawn to warmth and light.

From her childhood, Adina understands that she stands apart from others; she harbors knowledge of a distant planet and possesses the extraordinary ability to communicate with her extraterrestrial kin via fax machine, sending them her observations of the curious and often perplexing behaviors of earthlings. As she grows, Adina navigates life among humans, continuously relaying her insights about their fears, wonders, and the delicate balance of existence.

In a critical moment, a dear friend persuades Adina to broadcast her messages to a wider audience, prompting her to question whether she truly is the sole observer from afar. Beautyland is not just a story of alienation and connection but also a profound examination of life's vulnerability and tenacity within the vast expanse of our universe. It is a novel that gives us a gentle, unforgettable alien whose experiences resonate deeply with our own.