Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Now a major motion picture: Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford!
William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist
"A remarkable gift of a novel."--Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle
"I am so in love with this book."--Nina LaCour, author of Hold Still
"Feels timelessly, effortlessly now."--Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever
"The best kind of love story."--Alex Sanchez, Lambda Award-winning author of Rainbow Boys and Boyfriends with Girlfriends
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out--without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.
Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story--wrapped in a geek romance--is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.
Plus don't miss Yes No Maybe So, Becky Albertalli's and Aisha Saeed's heartwarming and hilarious new novel, coming in 2020!
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Community Reviews
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Simon vs has received some (well-deserved) love from the community and many readers since it's publication. It's been on my radar for quite some time - but I can't really give you a reason why I haven't read it until now. However, I'm glad I didn't because I truly believe I read this at the right time.
Simon of course, made this book for me. He is honest, adorable, hilarious and just so... awesome. He has such a big heart and is one of the sweetest characters I have read about in a while. My heart broke for him and the situation he was thrust into regarding Martin, but all in all I think he handled it pretty well.
His email interactions with Blue was one of my favorite parts. Simon is such an honest character, but seeing him be 100% himself was a blessing. It's not like he hides who he is per se, but is able to just SHOW MORE of himself to Blue.
I also loved the family dynamic. The family is hilarious and all up in everything, and it made for some comical scenes. I do, however, think Simon is lucky to have such a strong support system, especially in his location. Not many get such support (anywhere) and I loved it.
Now, as for Blue. Dude, I had NO IDEA who he was until RIGHT BEFORE we found out. I actually went back to reread a few scenes because I wanted to see if there was something I missed, or if Ms. Albertalli was just that good at being subtle.
And well, it was both.
Seeing those two together just made me smile. It's adorable and sweet and ugh. Too cute for (more) words. This is definitely a couple I would LOVE to revisit and check in on.
All that being said, I loved the message(s) throughout the book. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is empowering and brilliant and a MUST READ. I highly recommend it!!
(BIG THANKS for Gail for gifting me a copy!)
I remember this was cute and well-written and funny and did a great job of addressing homosexuality because it is finally a character who isn't totally freaked out that everyone will disown him if/when he "comes out."
Except the whole coming out thing doesn't really scare me. I don't think it scares me. It's a giant holy box of awkwardness, and I won't pretend I'm looking forward to it. But it probably wouldn't be the end of the world. Not for me.
That is so refreshing to read. It's refreshing to read about a gay character who is not an outcast and who has great friends and a great family and who is funny but not just to be "the character who has to be funny because he's gay." This is not to say that there shouldn't be books that show the other side of this - just not every.single.one.
I am a heterosexual female. BUT if I WERE a gay male, I would want my parents to be just like Simon's.
"Good," she says. They look at each other again. "Anyway, we have something for you."
"Is it another awkward anecdote about me breast-feeding?"
"Oh my God, you were all about the boob," my dad says. "I can't believe you turned out to be gay."
"Hilarious, Dad."
"I know I am," he says.
Great book.
4 Stars
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