Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Published: January 12, 2015
Genres: YA, Contemporary
Goodreads
"White shouldn't be the default any more than straight should be the default. There shouldn't even be a default."
Normally, I don't trust romance books, or even most contemporary books. They stir up bad memories about Nicholas Sparks, and now, I'm shuddering at the mere mention. It doesn't fit my usual taste--no dark twists, horrifying secrets, or human limits tested. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, however, surprised me.
In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Simon Spier, gay Harry Potter fan, faces his share of high school drama when a classmate blackmails him into putting in a good word with Abby, friend, cheerleader, and theater colleague. The classmate, Martin, finds Simon's e-mail conversation with Blue, an in-th-closet boy Simon met online. The mystery (Blue's identity) was easy to guess, but no one's trying to sell this as a suspense thriller anyway.
Is it a life-changing book? Probably not.
Will it be the new Hamlet, Hamilton, or Crime and Punishment? Doubtful.
Is it funny? Hell yes.
It's the type of book for curling up on the couch when you need a break from studying for that chemistry final, when you need to forget and just laugh. The title itself is an inside joke. It dragged a smile out of me more than once.
Thankfully, Albertalli did not fall into the same trap as several YA authors by trying too hard to be philosophical. She doesn't sound preachy, like she's trying to hammer some message into our little brains. It makes the message stronger without sounding like a cheesy PSA. Plus, no eye-rolling.
Just out of curiosity, is Tumblr bigger and more widely used in high school than I remember?
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is worth the read. And when you go out to get this book, pick up a pack of Oreos.
Greg Berlanti has been chosen to direct a movie adaptation of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Before you get excited, filming has not yet begun, and the movie's release may not be for a few years.
Becky Albertalli is a licensed clinical psychologist, though not practicing at the moment. Her second book, The Upside of Unrequited, is scheduled for release April 11, 2017, and if Albertalli's humor stays strong, I look forward to reading it.
Genres: YA, Contemporary
Goodreads
"White shouldn't be the default any more than straight should be the default. There shouldn't even be a default."
Normally, I don't trust romance books, or even most contemporary books. They stir up bad memories about Nicholas Sparks, and now, I'm shuddering at the mere mention. It doesn't fit my usual taste--no dark twists, horrifying secrets, or human limits tested. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, however, surprised me.
In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Simon Spier, gay Harry Potter fan, faces his share of high school drama when a classmate blackmails him into putting in a good word with Abby, friend, cheerleader, and theater colleague. The classmate, Martin, finds Simon's e-mail conversation with Blue, an in-th-closet boy Simon met online. The mystery (Blue's identity) was easy to guess, but no one's trying to sell this as a suspense thriller anyway.
Is it a life-changing book? Probably not.
Will it be the new Hamlet, Hamilton, or Crime and Punishment? Doubtful.
Is it funny? Hell yes.
It's the type of book for curling up on the couch when you need a break from studying for that chemistry final, when you need to forget and just laugh. The title itself is an inside joke. It dragged a smile out of me more than once.
Thankfully, Albertalli did not fall into the same trap as several YA authors by trying too hard to be philosophical. She doesn't sound preachy, like she's trying to hammer some message into our little brains. It makes the message stronger without sounding like a cheesy PSA. Plus, no eye-rolling.
Just out of curiosity, is Tumblr bigger and more widely used in high school than I remember?
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is worth the read. And when you go out to get this book, pick up a pack of Oreos.
Greg Berlanti has been chosen to direct a movie adaptation of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Before you get excited, filming has not yet begun, and the movie's release may not be for a few years.
Becky Albertalli is a licensed clinical psychologist, though not practicing at the moment. Her second book, The Upside of Unrequited, is scheduled for release April 11, 2017, and if Albertalli's humor stays strong, I look forward to reading it.
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