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Synopsis: 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.
Can I give this book more than 5 stars? Honestly, I think Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda isn’t just one of my favorite YA reads of 2015, but one of my favorites of all time!
If I bought every book I wanted my house would look something like this:
Since my husband would probably divorce me if it ever came to this, I’m very choosy about which books I add to my permanent collection. I think I might be asking for this one for Christmas though. Yes it’s THAT good!
Simon has an almost perfect life. He’s a good student, has a wonderful group of friends, and a loving and supportive family (although his parents do embarrass him at times by trying a little too hard to be cool.) He even gets along with his younger and older sisters. So what could possibly go wrong? Well, Simon has discovered he’s gay but he hasn’t told anyone. He’s met the mysterious “Blue” online and they’ve been happily emailing each other. One day he mistakenly leaves one of his emails up on a school library’s computer and before he knows it he’s being blackmailed. The rest of the story follows Simon as he deals with the blackmailer, and tries to discover who Blue really is.
I wish I had a best friend like Simon in high school. He’s funny, clever, and unashamedly loves Harry Potter. Despite not having found the right moment to come out to his family and friends, he’s remarkably secure in his own skin. To give you an idea of his outlook on life, here’s one of my favorite quotes:
“Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn’t be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.”
While Simon is secure about himself, the elusive Blue is not, and the email exchanges between the two are hysterical as well as touching, as Simon becomes increasingly determined to meet Blue in person. Once they do (this is my only spoiler), it is well worth the wait.
The story is from Simon’s POV, but there’s a few backstories going on which deal with his family and friends and their relationships. All of these are tied to Simon and his development. Without them he wouldn’t be the incredible character that he is. Above all, this is a realistic exploration of the changes that teens go through as they mature.
This easily could have turned into one of those old over the top after school specials that used to be on tv. Please tell me I’m not the only one who remembers those? It never does though. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is simply an adorable story of two teens in love who happen to be gay. Nothing I can write here can possibly do this book justice. All I can say is if you read YA fiction, or even if you don’t but have ever considered it, I strongly suggest you pick up this book. Okay. I’m really doing this to all of you:
and this:
and a little of this:
Now I’m going to try to tempt you with a few more quotes from this wonderful book.
~ “The way I feel about him is like a heartbeat–soft and persistent, underlying everything.” ~
~ “I mean, I feel secure in my masculinity, too. Being secure in your masculinity isn’t the same as being straight.” ~
~ “Sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me.” ~
~ “Did you just tell us you’re gay?” Asks Nick.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” He says. Abby swats him.
“That’s all you’re going to say? Okay?”
“He said not to make a big deal out of it,” Nick says. “What am I supposed to say?”
“Say something supportive. I don’t know. Or awkwardly hold his hand like I did. Anything.”
Nick and I look at each other. “I’m not holding your hand,” I tell him, smiling a little.
“Alright”–he nods. “But know that I would.” ~
*”What’s a dementor?”
I mean, I can’t even.
“Nora, you are no longer my sister.”
“So it’s some Harry Potter thing,” she says.*
