Book Review: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Obviously this book is very hyped and has been on my radar for quite a while, but my motivation to pick it up only increased after I watched the trailer of Love, Simon. I definitely want to watch the movie and I had no intention of doing it without reading the book first. And it really didn’t disappoint.

Simon is such a relatable teenager – confident but also insecure, irritated at his family’s irrational rituals but also loving them so much, totally trusting his best friends but still not wanting to share his secret with them, crushing so hard on a boy and trying to look for him everywhere. He can also be a little stupid and clueless at times but does eventually realizes and corrects it. But what I really loved about him was that he is never scared or ashamed about his sexuality, just about coming out. The book is full of humorous and beautiful dialogue about his dilemma. I absolutely totally adored all the emails he shared with Blue, they get to know and understand each other so much even while being anonymous, it’s just so endearing. As the book went on, I really wanted to read more of their interactions. I’m usually not good at guessing, so it was very much fun to discover who Blue was at the same time as Simon and I 😍😍😍 that scene.

I totally fell in love with Simon’s family too. They are bizarre and quirky but so loving and supportive. It was also great to see such fun sibling interactions. Simon’s dad apologizing for making insensitive jokes was a very important and well written scene. It was also wonderful to see such super supportive friends and teachers who totally took down anyone trying to insult Simon for being gay. I really liked Abby a lot, for being such a sweetheart and an awesome buddy. Leah and Nick were fine but I didn’t really form any attachments to their characters.

In the end, this book is so cute and adorable and hilarious while also being sensitive and emotional. I absolutely fell in love and now, can’t wait for the movie to release fast enough. Everyone should read this book because I promise you, it will make you smile.

I have to mention this – there is a certain mall and it’s parking lot carnival that Simon tells Blue about and I couldn’t stop laughing (with tears flowing btw 🤣🤣🤣) because I lived across the street from the said mall for more than 18months and have seen the said carnival numerous times. It was just too hilarious to see a place that I spent half my free time at mentioned in such a lovely and popular mainstream book. Now, I’m waiting to see if it’ll show up in the movie too 😉😉😉

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️