Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Note: the events of yesterday were incredibly horrific and shocking. I'd write a post about it, but I have no words, only feelings of sorrow for France and the other countries who experienced tragedy yesterday. Now, onto the actual post.

Here it is: my first book review post!

Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Synopsis: 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. (Synopsis taken from Amazon because I can't summarize.)

I finished this book around 8:42 this morning and promptly exploded from that rare, awesome feeling that comes from truly great books. Simon is such a compelling character; written in first person, it's never boring as Simon actually feels things that teenagers like myself feel. I noticed myself nodding along to his thoughts, thinking "yes, I've thought that, hang in there buddy." It's not a book that's strictly comedy or drama--it's believable. This is a story that could happen, could be happening anywhere and all over, perhaps playing out at this very moment.

The story kept me guessing as to who "Blue" (Cute guy at the other end of Simon's emails) was in real life. While Albertalli gave enough clues to his identity for the reader to figure out who he was, it's not something you could figure out right away. I actually found myself waiting for the big reveal; I wanted to observe it like Simon would, to be fully immersed in his thoughts and feelings instead of my own. Albertalli didn't disappoint, let me tell you.

While reading Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, it was impossible to stop turning my (virtual) pages. Albertalli's fantastic at creating those tense scenes, where the tension is completely in the MC's head and everything seems fine on the outside to his world. Also, the complete adorbs of Simon and Blue via email is EVERYTHING. I blushed, I cried, I laughed myself silly on a bus full of high schoolers.

My favorite part is ---------. Sorry guys, spoiler right there. But I'll say it's deliciously romantic and OMG SO CUTE SHIPSSSS.

I'd recommend this book to everyone I know--teachers, friends, strangers at Starbucks, anyone and everyone who will listen, but especially my fellow teens. This, dear friends, is a book that gets it. It's realistic about being a teen and how school is hard, friends are hard, being yourself is hard.

So get thee to a library! Read this book!