Yes, I Finally Read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Published by Balzer + Bray on April 7th, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover
Source: Gifted
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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 Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. 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.

My Thoughts:

Warning: Please read full content and side effects before heading into this book

Side Effects include but are not limited to:

• Facial pain (from smiling)
• Epic (book) Hangover
• Heart palpitations
• Abdominal Pain (from laughing)
• Syncope, infrequent, starting at about page 1 (from all the swoons)

If symptoms persist, please contact the author and/or re-read immediately. 

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!)

 

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Tell me your thoughts

• Have you read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda? If so, what side effects did you suffer from, if any?
• If not, (WHY?) does it sound like something you’d enjoy?