With Love, From Old Town is a monthly subscription service where members receive one new release a month that is more-often-than-not signed. We focus on debut or sophomoric novels, generally within the genre of literary fiction. You can sign up to join With Love with a 6 or 12-month subscription.

Toward the end of each month, we will get a glimpse into the selection process for With Love by sharing Program & Partnerships Coordinator Amanda’s monthly newsletter to subscription members. October’s pick was Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. 

Dear Readers,  

Although this book is not a debut, it is a much-acclaimed new book from the author of cult favorite, Convenience Store Woman! Earthlings is about a child named Natsuki who doesn't quite fit in with her family, and her best friend is a toy hedgehog named Piyyut who has explained to Natsuki that he is here from a foreign planet to help save the Earth.

On an annual family vacation, Natsuki also begins to wonder if she perhaps is an alien too. It makes sense right? That's why she doesn't fit in, why she gets ignored at school, and scolded so much at home. As she grows, she becomes increasingly unnerved by the society she is growing up in and the idea that women are meant to be essentially just "baby factories."

Natsuki wants more out of life, and Earthlings explores what it means to be happy in a stifling world, and how you find yourself. As you read this delightful book, you too might begin to wonder what the whole point of life is and maybe learn what more is out there for you too.

What mysteries of the universe would you solve, if you were given the chance?

We hope you enjoy this book as much as our staff has, and look forward to sharing in the excitement for this book online and on social media with the hashtag #OTBTBR (Old Town Books To Be Read) and by tagging us with @oldtownbooks. Happy reading!

With Love,

- Amanda Robinson
Program & Partnerships Coordinator

Photo and blog contribution by Amanda Robinson. Edited by Shannon McCarthy.