Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli, takes on the tale of Simon Spier and his penpal, “Blue”. Their conversations are about Oreos, the sucky years of middle school, and crushing on boys. Simon’s anxiety is dissolved by a daily dose of Blue until Simon accidentally leaves his email open at school and a fellow drama classmate–Martin–reads the accounts of their love story. Martin promises not to show anyone the emails as long as Simon puts in a good word for him to a friend.

“Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn’t be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.”

Simon’s identity consumes him, making it harder to focus on the world outside his mind. Things get even more confusing when he is forced to come out. But things fix themselves in good time.

“Sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me.”

I don’t think people read enough about the importance of finding and loving yourself. It’s really nice to finally read books that sum up how it really feels to be a teenager and trying to get to know yourself when people around you already know you more than you do.

“The closest thing I’ve ever had to a journal is probably you.”

Becky Albertalli really makes sure readers get what they pay for. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a great read and is high on my recommendation list, so if you like reads that include Oreos, high school kids, identity crises, and LGBT+ characters, this is a book for you.