The Writing’s On The Wall: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

The Writing’s On The Wall is a regular feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which I create desktop wallpapers inspired by some of my favourite novels.

There are books and then there are books. The ones that become instant favourites. The ones that will steal your heart. The ones that will leave an indelible mark on your soul. The ones that will remain with you for a lifetime. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is one such book.

It all began in August 2014 when I was invited to attend an event at the Harper Collins offices in Toronto, a gathering meant to act as a preview of the forthcoming fall and winter young adult releases. As wonderful as the event was and as promising as all the books sounded, however, there was only one novel on my mind. One novel I couldn’t stop thinking about. One novel I couldn’t stop talking about. (Sorry, Suman!) Rather than strike me from their list of contacts after what could only be described as manic rambling, however, instead I was shocked to find an early advanced reader copy of said book arrive on my doorstep the very next week. I opened the first page, promising myself that I would only read a few lines. There were still eight daunting months until its release and I had a review schedule to follow, after all. I read. And I read. And I read. I quoted entire passages aloud to those around me. I laughed. I cried. I bookmarked page after page until my copy was filled with a plethora of post-it notes as bright and colourful as the book itself. Then I read it again. And again. And again. And I haven’t stopped re-reading it since.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is one of the most memorable, authentic, heartfelt, insightful, charming, clever, and delightful stories I’ve had the privilege of reading in my twenty-six years on this earth. If it seems as though I’m positively rhapsodic in my praise, it’s because I am, and I can’t even muster the barest of regrets. Because that’s what you do when you find a book you love. You praise it. You share it. You shout it from the rooftops and whisper it in the ear of your best friend. Because as much as a small part of me would would like to keep this book to myself, a special, cherished, shared secret among a select few, I know I can’t do that. Because there’s a mother in Chicago who would like to walk a mile in her child’s shoes. Because there’s a boy in Houston who needs to see his truth spoken aloud in the pages of a book. Because there’s a girl in Seattle who needs to be reminded that love is real, that it is patient, that it is kind, and that it can be found in all conceivable shapes, sizes and permutations. Because the world needs this book. Because you need this book.

Title Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author Becky Albertalli
Pages 320 Pages
Genre Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ
Publisher Balzer + Bray
Publisher On April 7th, 2015
Find It On Goodreads

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 Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. 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.

1280×800 » 1440×900 » 1680×1050 » 1920×1200 » 2560×1400 » iPhone 5 » iPhone 6 » iPad

I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Arti Masa, Draw Baby Draw Designs and Venimo whose clipart and/or fonts I purchased, edited and used in the creation of this wallpaper!

What book would you like to see made into a desktop wallpaper next? Let me know in the comments – I would love to hear from you!

4 Responses

  1. Couldn’t agree more with your thoughts on SIMON. SOSOSOSO good.

    Loved the post and the wallpaper (it’s gorgeous!).

    😀

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Hi! I’m Jen! I’m a thirty-something introvert who loves nothing more than the cozy comfort of home and snuggling my two rescue cats, Pepper and Pancakes. I also enjoy running, jigsaw puzzles, baking and everything Disney. Few things bring me more joy than helping a reader find the right book for them!

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