Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli [AKA Kathy fangirling over Simon]

~ Kathy H.

Review

Hi Munchworms!

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens AgendaSimon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda has been on my TBR for ages. I was planning on buying it eventually – you know, that’s what I say every time I really do want to read a book but my actual TBR goes first.. – but never did.

Then the trailer for Love, Simon came into my life and I was in love. Already. Immediately. Pronto. No going back. So when Kathy entered a bookstore and saw this novel, there wasn’t even one thought present in her brain. Why am I talking in third person? I just went ahead and bought it! Or, I went ahead and let the boyfriend buy it for me?

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 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 at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

The good

Here is me trying to decently give you guys my opinion on this book without going “JUST READ THE THING!“

First. Format. Switching between regular prose and mails, this novel really does read so fluently. Not only the format helps with that, but Albertalli’s writing in general is simply… well… amazing. I can read pretty fast, but I really felt like I was flying through Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda like no tomorrow. Even when I was trying to read slower because I wanted to fully enjoy Simon’s story. I did, but I still couldn’t read more slowly though.. It was written thàt good.

Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. 

Simon. Oh, Simon. I really can’t help loving this guy. His sass, sarcasm and humor spoke to me from the very start and I couldn’t get enough of it. His puns, way of handling things, thoughts… feelings… I lost myself in him, really felt like I was in his brain and could understand exactly why he was doing certain things, saying certain things.
That connection, people, is the connection I’d love to feel with every character out there. Unfortunately it doesn’t happen all that often but this time it did and I loved every second of it.

Nick, Abby and Leah are Simon’s best friends. I felt like Nick was… well, not really in the picture during this novel so I still don’t have an actual opinion on him? As for Abby and Leah, I definitely have to say my preference goes to Abby. She simply sounds more like my kind of girl – like, apparently she drives like a pro and women driving well? Amen to that! [I might be sick and tired of people saying women can’t drive; although, unfortunately in a lot of cases they’re right.. Now I’m doing it myself.. Ugh.]
Apart from that, Leah sometimes got on my nerves for not taking the bull by it horns and simply stating the obvious. I didn’t understand that side of her, but I can definitely see why someone would be like that. And, of course, she isn’t all bad! At all! Like, totally not!

The other thing that’s absolutely note-worthy is that you keep guessing who’s on the other side of the mails. I felt like I knew a couple of times, but ended up changing my mind every time and.. I loved it? It made Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda anything but predictable!

5

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I don’t have one negative thing to say about this novel except for… I really am looking forward to the movie?! Seriously, that’ll be one I have to see in the cinema. No doubt about it! I can’t even imagine it disappointing me. Feels like that’s impossible!
Unfortunately it only releases in Belgium on June 20th – like, seriously… – so I’ll be here, full of envy towards anyone seeing it now. Ugh.

As for the munches, Oreo truffles! The moment that was mentioned I just knew I had to try those out myself. So, of course, I did. 

And man, they were goooood! But they’re even better with white chocolate over them, just saying.

Have you read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda? What did you think? Planning on watching the movie?
Have you ever tried Oreo truffles?! Because you totally should.

 

Yep

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40 thoughts on “Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli [AKA Kathy fangirling over Simon]”

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  4. I’m so glad you liked this book.
    It’s one of my all time favorite and like you, I have to wait until June to see it here in Spain. I’v already watched the trailer 10 times and I spend a ridiculous amount of timetrying to convince my friends to come and see the movie with me once it releases.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Same! Definitely waaay up there when it comes to my favorites. 🙂
      Haha, I can totally relate although I only had to convince my boyfriend and that’s that. Now I even went as far as convincing him to go to the movie in Scotland when we’re there – which is in May so I’ll get to see it sooner! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I’ll probably be gushing about it everywhere, knowing me. I’m always wary of movie adaptions but I’ve seen so many bookworms freaking out about the movie as well that I just know it has to be good. Otherwise they’d be bashing it all over the place. 😛

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Those… munches…. omg 💛

    I recently read this book as well and I have since officially adopted both Simon and Blue (though I have to say, I personally relate more to Blue- that isn’t to say I didn’t really like Simon because I really did!)

    I totally agree on the writing. And man, this was just so pure and soft and omg 💛

    Great review!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m going to check it out right now! 😀
      IT IS! I cannot wait to see the movie, especially since people keep telling that they don’t mind the movie adaption AT ALL and that’s saying something coming from bookworms, haha.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Ikr! I hate it that it’s not going to be in theaters where I live, this is finally a movie I’m super excited for. I mean they had time to screen fallen and midnight sun but they can’t screen Love, Simon!!1!

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I totally feel you on that part. Normally I have to wait until June 20th but the boyfriend and I just booked a trip to Scotland for May and it’ll be released there by then so I’m HOPING it’ll still be in the cinemas when we get there. I’d gladly spend an evening in a Scottish cinema, haha. :’)

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I saw the movie this past weekend and it is awesome! It even lives up to the book. There are a few minor changes but they can easily be overlooked for how amazing it turned out! Also tried making Oreo chewy bars which are basically Oreos crunched and mixed into melted ​marshmallows​. They were delicious 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Wow, I haven’t read this book (despite the fact I got this book months ago), but wow, you’ve got me all so intrigued to read this one! Brilliant review 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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