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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Simonverse, #1)

Becky Albertalli

Start date: June 1, 2018

Finish date: June 30, 2018

Discussion: Monthly Bonus Reads

Why we're reading this: June Bonus Read- Gay Pride Month
[close] June Bonus Read- Gay Pride Month

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What Members Thought

Jul 17, 2017 *TANYA* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Cute, quick read. It was funny and at times nerve wrecking because I too wanted to know who Blue was. Pretty phenomenal music mentioned as well.

47 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2018 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: award-winning, booktubeathon-2018, debuts, 2018, series, audiobook, young-adult

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a YA novel about a gay high school junior who has yet to come out to his family and friends. Simon’s peaceful existence is threatened when a classmate discovers his flirtatious emails with another boy and decides to blackmail him into playing matchmaker with his friend Abby. As the story unfolds Simon becomes more enamored with the mysterious “Blue” even without knowing his true identity. Albertalli does a fine job of capturing the hearts and minds of teenage ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2017 Ariel rated it it was amazing

Yes

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2018 J L rated it it was amazing

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is included in my list of must-read-YA-novels because of the hype of its screenplay adaptation that CAME OUT last March, and the fact that it's queer themed. Becky Albertalli tells a story of a not-so-openly gay teenager, Simon Spier, who is being blackmailed by Martin Addison after his email thread with Blue, a boy he met on Creeksecrets Tumblr: ground zero for Creekwood High School gossip, falls into his hands. Taking advantage of Simon's fear of unintentional Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is included in my list of must-read-YA-novels because of the hype of its screenplay adaptation that CAME OUT last March, and the fact that it's queer themed. Becky Albertalli tells a story of a not-so-openly gay teenager, Simon Spier, who is being blackmailed by Martin Addison after his email thread with Blue, a boy he met on Creeksecrets Tumblr: ground zero for Creekwood High School gossip, falls into his hands. Taking advantage of Simon's fear of unintentionally betraying Blue, Martin obliges Simon to help him talk to his crush, Abby. Simon submits to what his extortioner wants until a monumental twist of his life comes after Abby turns down Martin.

After I finished reading this book, I think Albertalli's my fave novelist so far. Coming out is the most overwhelming episode in the coming of age for the LGBTQIAU+ members, and that's less likely to be excluded from queer themed YAs. What makes Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda different from other YAs I have had read is its exceptionally sweet storyline and positive vibe, despite bullying and other forms of humiliation against queer folks are exhibited.

The main character, Simon, isn't really my favourite. But the way Albertalli built his personality made the story flawlessly flow, and perfect. Plus the roles played by supporting characters in the book made it cuter. No kidding, I'm in love with this book, and there are a lot to love about it. However, the first narrative started with a dialogue between Simon and Martin that turned my enthusiasm down to continue reading, WHICH could never question Albertalli's story-telling skill or that of other novelists. Just that I don't feel comfortable when a story starts with a dialogue. I like it when they start with a narrative about the characters' background and smoothly connecting it with the story's real time. So the first chapter got me asking who Abby and Martin were in Simon's life. Another thing is about his dog's breed which wasn't revealed until page 40.

I love the way Albertalli makes Simon's voice connected to every reader's heart. When I thought that boy from school musical was Blue, Simon happened to have the same feeling, and that recurred when my intuition switched to another character. Alice, Simon's sister, has a static character, but never does it restrain her from being so lovable. There may be a few spotlights for Leah, yet she seems interesting. How lucky are we, we'll know her more in the sequel: Leah on the Offbeat.

There's also a chapter where Simon's intoxicated, Albertalli effectively makes me believe I listen to someone who had had a little bit too much. She did an impressive job in making me laugh my arse off reading that part. I also liked the headspinning but decent reactions of Simon's schoolmates after his coming out, and cringed at the extremely stupid and evil ones.

This novel isn't only about every gay dude's struggle with coming out and falling in love, but also about giving ourselves a chance to know more about the people around us, and see how natural, irrefutable, and wonderful even the most eccentric thing about them.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and found only a few grammatical errors which were only in the dialogue, but who cares as if we always speak in formal English, and I think it would be odd to hear teenagers speak that way. So this book deserves a 5 out of 5 stars. ...more

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Apr 25, 2020 Of Butterflies & Books rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book very much. Maybe it was just all the hype around it that I didn't love it as much as most people, but I enjoyed the characters and the way they spoke with each other. I hope to continue reading this author's work. ...more

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Nov 18, 2016 Loeka rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-e-books

I have no idea how I finished it this fast, but I loved it so I don't really care. ...more

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Mar 19, 2018 Miriam rated it liked it

3.5/5

La verdad que me ha parecido un libro muy simple pero a la vez divertido. He disfrutado mucho más las partes de los correos entre Blue y Simon que el resto, que por el contrario se me hicieron más aburridas. Aún así es un libro que tiene muchas reflexiones que más de uno debería aprender.

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Feb 17, 2017 Camilo Silva rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

2017 (3 Estrellas)
It was neither bad nor good
It was just OK
No fue un mal libro
Tampoco uno excelente

2018 (4 Estrellas)
Luego de releer este libro mi opinion a cambiado muchisimo y estoy feliz diciendo que le subo una estrella al libro porque es genial!

2019 (5 Estrellas)
Este libro de a poco ha logrado robarse mi corazón y convertirse en una de mis historias favoritas. Me parece tan inteligente, tan realista dentro del universo que genera y con un humor maravilloso.
Amo este libro.

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