Book Review: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Title: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Fiction
Pages: 303
Publisher: Penguin
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "It's a weirdly subtle conversation."

"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 the 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 of happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's ever met."

My Rating: 4/5

So let me start out with this book is cute. It's adorable. And you might not think that based on the description, but it's got a lot going for it. Blackmail, a secret pen pal, friend drama, etc. I think that this story is an important one about the pressure of coming out and how society has come to a point where we should be confident with who we are sexuality. That being said all over the world there are jerks, some places more so than others. I hope that in North America most people feel comfortable coming out with who they are, but with the change in leaders in certain may change that. Sorry to pour salt in the wound there America, but Canada's afraid too sooo...... Besides that, this book was cute. I enjoyed it and would read another book by Becky Albertalli.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

So I'll start this in the only way I know how. This book was cute. There were parts of it that infuriated me. Like closed mind jerks and blackmailers, but overall I thought that it was a sweet read. And in the sweetness, there was a point, messages. How everywhere in the world there are people who will not accept someone's sexuality which is ridiculous, but sadly true. I thought that the setting of a high school in Georgia was perfect. It is known in the South there is quite a problem with acceptance overall. I don't know how accurate that is and don't want to claim that I'd know because I've never been, but it's rumoured I should say. I think that this story was incredibly sweet and interesting to read. 

Characters:
Simon: I thought that he was an interesting character to read from. Someone coming out and figuring out how those around him will see him after revealing part of his life. I think he was a sweet character to read about, especially as we watch him fall in love with Blue and get to know who he really is.

Bram: I loved how shy he was and how much we found out about him. He is so sweet, and I can't even imagine Simon with someone else. Perfect first boyfriend material.

Nick: What an awesome guy! I do wish that he had been more intune with Leah's feelings.

Abby: Super outgoing and fun? The perfect gal pal.

Leah: I loved her attitude and understood her way of thinking. I think that she felt so much rejection that it was hard for her to deal with Simon coming out to someone new.

Nora: She reminded me of my sister the way she is so quite and keeps to herself. It was kind of heart breaking but also amazing to see her be a rockstar in the end.

Alice: Supportive older sister for the win.

Martin: There is no excuse for the way that he was acting. It's crazy that he thought it was at all acceptable. Jerk!


Moments to Remember:

Final Line: "Maybe I want it to be."


Thanks for reading,
Sidny