Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I love this book so much! It’s such a beautiful addictive love story, it’s so honest and real and full of diversity, charm and feelings. From the very first page, the story just pulled me in and I could not put it down. I read it feverishly and finished it in one sitting, immediately wanting to go right back at re-read it all again! 

In short, it’s about sixteen-year-old Simon who has not yet come out as gay, but is trying to figure out how and when to tell his secret without the big drama.

“Sometimes it seems like everybody knows who I am except me.”

Instead, he shares his thoughts and feelings with his email friend “Blue”. The relationship with Blue grows more and more serious, and Simon soon wishes to know his real identity. But when the emails falls into the wrong hands, Simon gets blackmailed by his class mate Martin to fix him up with Simon’s friend Abby, and Simon’s life starts to get even more complicated.

The way Becky Albertalli writes is simply amazing. This is such a fast read, I felt like I was flying through this book (even though I tried to slow down, not ever wanting it to end). I loved the way you got to know Simon and Blue via their email correspondence and I also really enjoyed the mystery element of trying to figure out Blue’s real identity (even though I have to admit I kind of guessed at an early stage…).

And the characters, Simon, Blue, Abby, Leah and all the others, I don’t even know where to start… These characters are what made the story! I adored every single one of them as the story unfolded. Simon is quirky and sweet and has so much humor, sarcasm and sassiness you just love him immediately. And his friends were so amazing; sweet, fun and supportive. I also have to say something about his parents. The way Becky Albertalli portrayed them was so refreshing, that she allowed them to be both supportive and flawed, that their need to make a big deal out of something and be super-supportive and open-minded actually was the thing that kept Simon from coming out to them.

About ‘coming out’, Becky Albertalli really nails it when she makes Simon turn this around and say things like

“I actually hate when people say that [they feel secure in their masculinity]. I mean, I feel secure in my masculinity, too. Being secure in your masculinity isn’t the same as being straight.”

and

“Don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default?”

I could go on forever about how wonderful and amazing this book is, but all I really want to say is… go READ IT! It’s one of my all-time favorites ever! I love everything about it; the story, the characters, the beginning, the ending, the writing style, the humor, the emotions, the… everything! Just writing and thinking about it now brings on a big smile all over my face and makes me want to pick it up and re-read it right away.

Rating:
5 stars

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​Author info:
Becky Albertalli