Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Becky Albertalli

Apr 2015 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

Now a major motion picture: Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford! This edition includes new Simon and Blue emails, a behind-the-scenes scrapbook from the Love, Simon movie set, and Becky Albertalli in conversation with fellow authors Adam Silvera and Angie Thomas.

William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist

"A remarkable gift of a novel."—Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle

"I am so in love with this book."—Nina LaCour, author of Hold Still

"Feels timelessly, effortlessly now."—Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever

"The best kind of love story."—Alex Sanchez, Lambda Award-winning author of Rainbow Boys and Boyfriends with Girlfriends

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.

Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story—wrapped in a geek romance—is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.

Plus don't miss Yes No Maybe So, Becky Albertalli's and Aisha Saeed's heartwarming and hilarious new novel, coming in 2020! 

Ratings and reviews

I remember reading this book a few weeks ago, on the cover it seems like a normal book which I didn't think would be a LGBT book, My schools librarian actually recommended me this book, (I have permission to read these types of books). In the beginning I wasn't very hooked it seemed like a normal boring book, until I started reading this book more and more, I loved it! The romance in this book is so wholesome and cute! I was actually smiling while reading it and while writing this review right now. If you enjoy a nice LGBT romance book I recommend this for you! (It does have some inappropriate moments if you aren't comfortable with that) But overall this is a five-out-of-five book for me! I hope Albertalli continues the Simonverse stories WITH Simon as the lead character.

Simon Spier is gay, and not exactly out yet. The story opens with Simon being confronted by Martin, a classmate who has stumbled upon some email conversations between Simon and his anonymous internet friend, Blue. Martin threatens to out Simon and Blue unless Simon helps him get a date with the girl he likes. And thus, calamity ensues. We get to watch Simon and Blue falling in love (which is one of the most adorable things in the universe) and discovering what kind of person they want to be. Meanwhile, Simon has to deal with Martin (who is seriously annoying) and the chances of his friends and family finding out about his sexuality before he is ready. There are so many things to love about this book. The writing was quirky and funny and lighthearted, despite dealing with sexual identity and the acceptance (or lack thereof) of homosexuality in a high school setting. Important and serious topics were dealt with, but not in a way that made them feel like they were the only aspect of the book. Which is exactly as it should be. The LGBT aspects of the story were mixed right in with everyday things like discussions of Oreos and Simon's favorite singer, homework and drama rehearsal. Yes, Simon vs. is a story about a gay teen. But Simon is so much more than his sexual preference. Simon is....well, he's pretty much awesome. I think literally everyone can find something in Simon that they can relate to. Whether it's his sexual identity or his fear of his mom finding his dirty magazines, his odd sense of humor or his desire to be loved and accepted the way he is. Simon says things throughout the story that most of us have thought as some point in time, no matter our age, gender, race, or sexuality. Simon is in all of us. And he can help us to recognize that no matter who we are, we all just want a little happiness (and maybe some Oreos). I am normally someone who goes into a contemporary book kicking and screaming; I really don't enjoy romance and I have found very few contemporaries that I actually enjoy. But, boy oh boy, this one melted my ice cold heart. I still get a warm and fuzzy feeling thinking about Simon and Blue. I feel like they are friends of mine that I will never forget.

I watched the movie first (which I hate doing, always gotta read the book first) but the thing is: with movie adaptions, usually the closer the movie is to the book, the better the adaption but I kind of loved the changes in the movie; it didn't take anything away from the book, and the spin it had on other scenes just- worked (although I still prefer the book, no doubt). Anyway, it's an amazing story, honestly. I love Simon's character, it feels like he's somebody I went to school with, and I LOVE Bram in this, he has so much depth. Healthy, sappy, romantic LGBT novels like this are exactly what I hope for in novels and honesly it was executed so well, just. Wow, couldn't recommend this enough.

About the author

Becky Albertalli is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of William C. Morris Award winner and National Book Award longlist title Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (now a major motion picture, Love, Simon); The Upside of Unrequited; Leah on the Offbeat; the Simonverse novella Love, Creekwood; What If It’s Us (cowritten with Adam Silvera); Yes No Maybe So (cowritten with Aisha Saeed); Kate in Waiting; and Imogen, Obviously, a Stonewall Honor Book. Becky lives with her family near Atlanta. You can visit her online at beckyalbertalli.com.