Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Everybody is talking about Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!"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 GirlfriendsSixteen-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.

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

After finishing the audiobook of Encore To An Empty Room by Kevin Emerson, I was on an audiobooks high. And lucky me I had Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli all queued up on my phone and ready to go. Apparently Harper Audio practices witchcraft because I loved this audiobook on the exact same level that I did Encore To An Empty Room. I will say too that this book is freaking HYPE and so I fell into that and lucky me the hype is real.

What’s The Story Here?

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is the story of Simon Spier. Simon is gay but not exactly out about it. It’s not something he’s ashamed of, he just doesn’t want people to make a big deal. Anyways, he’s browsing tumblr when he sees something posted by another guy in his area who is gay and it really speaks to him, so he leaves his secret email address. What unfolds is this romance that takes place slowly over email as Simon (Jacques via email) and Blue lay their souls bare to each other. HOWEVER! One day Simon doesn’t properly log off the computer and Martin, the class clown, sees that Simon is actually gay. He threatens to blackmail Simon with this knowledge unless Simon helps Martin hook up with Abby, his friend, who seems to be cozying up to Simon’s best friend Nick, so wrench in the plans. UGH THIS BOOK YOU GUYS THIS BOOK. There’s also a musical – of course. And a Halloween party. And friendships. And family moments. And everything about this book puts me in a smiling I LOVE THIS BOOK UNIVERSE mood. I know you all know that feel.

How Is Simon As A Main Character?

All hail the Simon fan club. Okay, so Simon is awesome because he’s just so real. First off, he drops F bombs all over the place and I love that authenticity. Second off, he’s hilarious when he’s drunk. Third off, he’s a good person. I love that there’s so much room for growth for Simon. He’s a sharply realized character. His sexual identity is an important part of him and so it’s absolutely hysterical when he talks about dating girls and then his dad’s reaction to each girl that he dates. OH OH and then Simon talking about Martin and how much he hates him is great too. AND he has that one solid core group of friends and like by the end of the book they feel like your friends too, it is superb.

How’s The Romance?

Becky Albertalli can certainly write a slow sort of burn. You see, Simon doesn’t know who Blue is except the Blue is secretive about his identity. After all, where they live is not quite a progressive enclave, but it’s also not as bad as idk, the deep woods. Anyways. So Simon and Blue have this romance that takes place over emails. There’s a delicate line that’s tread over identity, each careful not to reveal too much about themselves, but in the small moments show their whole hand. It’s a romance that is sweet and one that I found myself absolutely cheering for. You root for Simon and Blue, ya know? They’re just perfect together and yes, okay coming out plays a role in this book, but it’s not tired. Becky Albertalli breathes new life into that theme.

How’s The Narration?

I listened to the audiobook of Albertalli’s Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda in a single day. Safe to say — I loved this audiobook. The narrator is Michael Crouch and he’s new to me but omg, add him to my list of great narrators to watch for. He nails Simon with this earnestness. I love it. He infuses his narration with emotion and character. I absolutely enjoyed my listen. It’s not often that I listen to an entire audiobook in the span of one day but combined with a long drive and all kinds of chores that needed doing that happened and man I am so glad that it did. This is the kind of book that I am going to recommend to all of the people ever regardless of print or audiobook form. It lived up to all of my wildest dreams and expectations.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

I listened to Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and ALL of my wildest dreams did indeed come true.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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