Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

LO AMÉ!!!!

Pues bueno. No sé qué me llevó a leer este libro, pero lo hice, y no me arrepiento en lo absoluto.

Simon es un chico de 17 años, que está escondido en el armario. Mantiene intercambios de correo con un chico que conoció en la red social de Tumblr apodado Blue y que, como él, también es gay aunque no ha confesado su secreto. En los intercambios de mails, ambos se van enamorando. Pero un día, Martin Addison, un compañero de clases de Simon y también de su grupo de teatro, se entera de los mails y del secreto de Simon. A cambio de mantener oculto su sexualidad, Simon debe ayudar a Martin a conquistar una de las mejores amigas de Simon. ¿Se atreverá Simon a eso, o arriesgará no solo su secreto sino también el de Blue?

Debo decir que me tomó un tiempo adentrarme en la trama. Pero para cuando me di cuenta, el misterio de averiguar quién es Blue, de cómo Simon intenta maniobrar a Martin para que no suelte su secreto, los problemas de Simon como adolescente y las charlas que tiene con Blue a través de sus correos me envolvieron, no podía soltar el libro.

Simon es un chico adorable, más de una vez me sacó una carcajada, y sus amigos Leah, Nick y Abby -la chica de la que Martin está “enamorado”- aumentaron la diversión en este libro. Sin duda alguna, de sus amigos mi favorita fue Abby. Simon la conoce desde hace unos meses contrario a Nick y Leah que son casi sus mejores amigos de toda la vida, pero Abby tuvo un encanto tal que me agradó. Es lista, valiente, leal y cariñosa, muy contrario a Leah que a veces es algo egoísta y arisca, especialmente cuando ve a Nick embobado por Abby, cosa que nos deja en claro que a ella le gusta él, pero trata muy mal a Abby por eso. Leah no hizo mucho por ganarse mi afecto, a pesar de que a ella le gusta el yaoi y es un poco otaku como yo.

Pero quien se lleva la cereza del pastel de mi odio es Martin. Qué personaje tan odioso, y seguro de que muchísimas veces quise pegarle un puñetazo en su maldita cara. Es un aprovechado, traicionero y ruín, la verdad que me gustó que Abby nunca le diera la oportunidad porque jamás hizo nada para merecerlo. Y metiche, además. Su disculpa al final del libro no me la creí, y solo aumentó mi desagrado por el personaje porque dio unas excusas tan patéticas, peor con lo que llegó a hacerle a Simon.

(Nunca antes me sentí tan identificada como con esta escena. Bien me pude reír.)

Personaje que amé con locura fue Blue. Es un niño adorable, encantador, un poco travieso y tan dulce, como Simon, me terminé enamorando de él. Algo que me gustó del libro fue que, junto a Simon, vas descartando personajes. Me sentí igual a cuando leía “Él, Diávolo”, o “Nota que Estoy Aquí”, pues tenemos esas pequeñas pistas que nos va dejando la autora sobre qué personaje se oculta tras el nickname de BlueGreen181. Me sentí bastante feliz de haber adivinado, y haber leído finalmente, aunque sea un poco, de cómo era la relación de Simon y Blue una vez que estuvieron frente a frente, de sus primeros besos, sus primeros gestos de cariños como novios, fue tan hermoso que me sentí derretir de amor.

Le tenía muy pocas expectativas a este libro, creía que me encontraría con algo tan juvenil que me aburriría, pero me llevé la sorpresa de que en verdad me ha encantado mucho, tanto que quise volver a leerlo. Te ríes a carcajadas con las referencias a Harry Potter de Simon, con las ocurrencias que se le ocurren, con sus momentos con sus amigos y con Blue. Sin duda es un libro que recomiendo ampliamente.

i wanted to love this book so bad. the movie is absolutely amazing and after watching it about a million times i finally decided to read the book. i was really excited bc of all the amazing reviews it had but oh boy.....is this book overhyped....

yes, it's cute, it's fun, it's important, but overall it's just an okay book? and i think the movie is better but it was still an enjoyable read and i'll definitely re-read it,, at some point

3.5 stars**

Cute book, but not the best overall.

This book is everything! I don't know how to express my feelings right now, because it made me so emotional. I LOVED THIS STORY WITH ALL MY HEART.

I loved the movie Love, Simon; it was both hilarious and touching. This book is doubly so.
Even though I was Simon's age in pre-internet times, he's a character that my younger self can identify with, as I was never that much into drinking and the party scene and all that (that came later), and I was also a kind of a nerd (that never went away, though). I was a pretty average kid, and it's actually nice to read about those too, instead of those stories that only center on - and I'm no prude, trust me - endless hook-ups and drug-fueled parties. Yeah, those people exist and their stories need to be told, too, but all the average, self-doubtibg kids need their stories too. And Simon vs. is definitely one of them.

I'm not really into YA romance, I find the characters whiney, disillusioned, and every possible teen stereo-type possible. That being said this book was none of that, and I loved it so damn much! The characters are realistic, they're people I would love to have known in my high school days (or hell even now), they're people you care about. The story was well written and engaging, but most of all it was honest, and that was so refreshing that I just fell in love with the whole of it all.

Thank you James for recommending this one to me, I shouldn't have put it off as long as I did.

Finished this ages ago so can't really remember much. sry.

This was delightful! Sometimes I think I've just aged past enjoying YA, but then something like this will come along. I was thoroughly enchanted and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. Simon's friends and family are a lot of fun, and his journey was compelling (despite the fact that I'm not too big on coming of age stories). Looking forward to reading [b:Leah on the Offbeat 31180248 Leah on the Offbeat (Creekwood, #2) Becky Albertalli https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1510886704s/31180248.jpg 51820754]!

Strong characterization and very relatable. The author clearly understands/remembers what it was like to be a teenager.

However, it was rather predictable, which was disappointing.

This book is an absolute delight and moreover contains an important message about more subtle manifestations of homophobia, showing how marginalized sexual identities can be stigmatized even absent malicious intent.

I know I'm a bit late to the game for this book, but everyone was talking about it and the movie was releasing as well, so I had to see what the buzz about this book was all about.

And Oh-My-Lanta!! I binge read this book in less than a day! It was an adorable read, and though I had an inkling of how Blue was early on (and turned out to be correct), this book surprised me. It definitely lived up to the hype and left me with all these happy feels.

Pues me hacía falta un libro así: bonico, natural, que te hace ver cosas...Y me saca de un parón lector muy gordo. Gracias Simon.

Everything about this book is too cute I can't stand how enamored I was. It has been a long time since I read something light and cute and all mushy and teenage I thought it's just appropriate for what I am feeling right now. Ohh that feeling—your first love. When it was all just smiles a little hurt on the side and a whole lot of contemplating if what you decide now will affect what can be soon. Simon was so sure about himself, he tried experimenting and ended up with what will then be a monumental step on his life. (There was a little detour on how that was, and if I was in his shoes, that Martin will not see the end of day after that mid-August afternoon, I hated him.) but then I got scared, is it him? Is he Blue? Please tell me it's not him. It can't be him—don't let him be this asshole who stole such precious moment of Simon's life. I loved this book so much I want to eat it and then live the words again.

Although in my opinion, while it is coming of age and it's time appropriate, I always thought there shouldn't even be an appropriate time or decade or century for this matter. And while Simon was thinking it shouldn't be such a big deal, I agree, it shouldn't be, because it's true, straight people need not come out, why would gay people have to feel the pressure of coming out?

Dude. The dog's name is Bieber. #nuffsaid #thatsagoodthinginmybooks 😆

I must admit going into this book I really didn't know what to expect, this story has been told many times in many different guises. Some cleverer than others. You know a book gets you when you're driven to read it and you cannot put it down! I laughed, I cried and I hung on every word of Simon and Blue's emails. In a lot of ways this is a romance between two closeted homosexuals that happens to work out. it's nothing new and I'm largely over coming of age retellings about a guy who feels that coming out will change everything and using this as a right of passage. I really got into Simon's head reading this though and the way the book's written really flows and resonates. it's a beautiful, if cliched, high-school romance that deserves telling and it's told well.

4.5

OMG!!! I just finished this and I am already wishing I could read it again for the first time. My full review will be up soonish.

So I had to pick it up again because I couldn't stop thinking about it and I couldn't concentrate on anything else so hopefully that will help me focus on my other book.

FULL REVIEW BELOW


I am going to try really hard to make this review more than just me saying I freaking loved this book. I did by the way, I absolutely loved it. I read it at the beginning of the month and 3 days after I finished it I read it again because I couldn't focus on anything else because I kept thinking about this book. I am also seriously considering listening to the audiobook of it now that I have subscribed to Scribd and it's available. If that doesn't tell you how much I loved it then I don't know what will.

When I first started reading Simon (that's what I am going to be calling this book from here on out because the title is way to long to type over and over again) I didn't understand what all the hype was about for this book. I mean it wasn't bad but I just wasn't getting it. At some point in the book, and I couldn't even begin to tell you what part, I totally understood why it was so hyped. I couldn't get enough of it and I didn't want to put it down.

I loved the formatting of Simon. It starts with the regular formatting of a book (prose) and then it switches into the email exchanges between Simon and Blue. It flowed so well between the two and that combined with the story and Albertalli's writing made for a quick read.

Simon is probably one of my all time favorite characters at this point. He had me smiling throughout the entire book with his quick wit. There were several other characters like Abby, Nick, and Leah who are Simons best friends as well as several other characters and while I didn't really have many issues with them I found myself not caring much about the side characters. Is that harsh? Yeah probably, but oh well I was living for Blue and Simon. The only real issue (well not issue more like annoyance) I had was that Leah was very annoying and whiny to me.

By the end of the book I was so giddy because I loved Simon and Blue so much and I just wanted more of them. I thought they were so cute and adorable. Ok I am going to shut up now.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Its such a cute, fun, quick read and everyone should read it.

What a great book. Full of joy and angst, love and fear. A great coming out/coming of age tale for our modern world. Im looking forward to seeing how the upcoming film “Love, Simon” tackles the characters and drama. The source material is rich and a pleasure for all ages, all persuasions and identities.

Ahh this was such a cute story. I loved Simon and his group of friends. I kept going back and forth on who I thought Blue could possibly be. The big reveal is SO cute and sweet and just made me so happy. I'm excited to see the movie, hopefully it does this book justice!

GUYS I DID IT! I FINALLY READ THIS! GO ME!

Funny, and adorable.

Absolutely amazing. A story of one coming out but written in such a good way. Loved everything - from the characters through the locations to the story itself and the main idea. I am in love with Simon Spier.

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 😉😉😉

This was the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory. What does that even mean, you might ask. Books aren't a 3 course meal at your favorite local diner, you might say. But aren't they though? Getting introduced to the characters during the appetizer, learning about their stories and relationships in the entree, and wrapping everything up with a sweet dessert. That was this book. Nothing earth-shattering, but enjoyable all the way through, and leaves you feeling happy and content when you roll yourself out of your chair and all the way home. The main romance was so lovely; I really liked the email correspondence, and how their relationship grew within and without that medium. The side characters were great, although I think there were a few too many for any of them to be fleshed out as much as I would've liked. I wish Nick and Leah had gotten as much page time as Abby (I did love Abby though. What an angel.)

But. I really despised the entire Martin arc, which is why I'm giving this 3 stars rather than the 4 my heart-feels want to give it. I get that the plot sort of depended on the blackmailing and Simon getting outed, but it just made me so uncomfortable and I don't think it was entirely necessary. I think there would have been enough conflict just with Simon deciding on his own terms if/when he wanted to come out, and with Blue not wanting to reveal himself to Simon when Simon wanted to meet. And then Martin trying to apologize and his email at the end just felt too much like an attempt to make him seem sympathetic. I was not about that at all.

I also wish Blue's identity had been revealed earlier. I thought it was pretty obvious who he was from around the halfway point, and it was a little frustrating having the drawn out reveal when Simon and Blue could've been holding hands and eating Oreos together at least 50 pages sooner!!! Also this irked me so much I have to say it: Frank Ocean is BIIIII, not gay wipes away the nervous sweat that's been accumulating on my forehead since I read that sentence okay it's fine I'm okay now.

Although I had some issues with it, this book was truly very cute and it left me feeling really warm and fuzzy. I hope the movie is just as sweet (and maybe spends less time on Martin, pls).

An incredibly cute book, maybe too cute and perfect when I think about it.

Everything seems to fall into place for Simon and there is no real conflict to be seen here. Not to say that you need conflict for a book to be good but when pretty much all the obstacles that crop up are dealt with within a chapter they lose any weight.

Saying this the book deserves kudos for being a positive message and guide to teens who are looking to come out or might have LGBT friends who are going through the same as Simon.