Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
by Becky Albertalli
Publication Date: April 7th 2015
Genre(s): YA, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT
Pages: 303
GOODREADS | AMAZON | INDIGO BOOKS
★★★★★
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.
After watching Love, Simon over a year ago, I finally picked up the book. The movie broke my heart yet warmed it and made me cry many tears. The book did exactly the same. A wonderful story, fantastic writing, and such raw, beautiful characters warrants a solid 5 stars. I’m putting it up there as one of my favourite contemporaries. I urge you all to check both the book and the movie out!
What I Liked
- Simon is a wonderfully flawed and realistic character. His troubles and thoughts were depicted so well. Initially he is self-absorbed, always thinking about himself, but by the end, he really matures.
- I love the portrayal of Simon’s internal struggles dealing with his sexuality and his personal growth, as well as his external struggles with friends, family, and society in general.
- This book was written SO well! There are so many passages I’ve bookmarked for later reference.
People really are like house with vast rooms and tiny windows. And maybe it’s a good thing, the way we never stop surprising each other.
- Not only does this book talk openly about LGTBQ+ issues, it touches lightly on so many other social issues as well. I absolutely adore that about this book.
- Simon and Brahm are tooooooooooo cute!
What I Didn’t Like
- Sometimes I found Martin to be seriously overreacting. It was pretty annoying at times.
- I know that’s probably the point, but come on—he was so upset and angry upon seeing Abby and Simon together even though he knew they were close friends!
- I also didn’t love Leah’s character. I understand her feelings at some parts, but other times, it felt like she was just being dramatic.
- I know she has her own story to tell though—I’ll have to pick up Leah on the Offbeat to find out more.
- This isn’t particularly something I disliked about the book, but something I think I prefer of the movie version (GASP, I know). The scenes where Simon comes out to his parents and family was just done so well and made me so much more emotional.
Special Comments
- It’s sometimes hard for me to pick up the book after seeing its movie adaptation, but I’m so glad I did with this one.
- In my opinion, both the book and the movie presented the author’s message beautifully!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read YA romance. Since it’s pride month, it’s the perfect time to read this if you haven’t!
The Jinxed Goblet 