I thought I was prepared for this after reading Convenience Store Woman, but nope.

It explores similar themes - feelings of being an outsider, the pressures to conform, and going to extreme lengths to retain your individuality. Earthlings explores that territory in a much more disturbing and violent way, though. It's like something Chuck Palahniuk would write, if Palahniuk was a Japanese woman.

I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, but... just be ready for some stuff if you do.