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I think this book is clearly overrated and I only gave it three stars for the LGBT and racial representation. This is nothing but a cheesy story who isn't even well written. I mean there is badly no style in the author's way of writing and some of the characters are really annoying. I am not gonna put any spoilers in this review so I'll just leave it here and say that I even wanted to slap Simon in the face a few time.
And also : about lesbians and bisexual girls being more accepted in society : I didn't know that being objectified by some disgusting cishet white males was a form of acceptance.
And also : about lesbians and bisexual girls being more accepted in society : I didn't know that being objectified by some disgusting cishet white males was a form of acceptance.
Obviously written by a straight person for a straight audience, and therefore not really for me.
You know what I was going to give this three stars because time and time again, the book dates itself with all of its Tumblr, Bieber, and other pop culture references (and because Simon says 'freaking' way too much), BUT THAT ENDING WAS THE CUTEST THING EVER AND I AM DECEASED SO IT GETS ANOTHER STAR
i'm a visibly gay and trans person. these days i introduce myself with my pronouns to most of the people i meet. i haven't had to "come out," in the traditional sense, in over a year. this book brings back the exact feeling that i've almost forgotten, and it does it perfectly. like. it is CRYSTAL clear that becky albertalli worked with LGBT kids, just from the amount of empathy her narration shows us. simon coming out to people and then, instead of feeling comforted, feeling unsettled and anxious and like he's crossed a line... bram coming out to his mother and then feeling so jittery he can't sleep... the sense of surreality it all carries... martin, a straight kid, saying he "didn't realize people still did stuff like that" when confronted with homophobia... (AND the added bonus of the scene in the gay bar being handled perfectly, with the college boy immediately guiding simon back to his friends when he realizes simon is underage/too young for him... "go be seventeen...") this book really does Get It in a way books written by cishet people RARELY, rarely do.
also it just makes me smile unbelievably. i read the last ~30 pages with a huge grin on my face. becky albertalli can have little a writing about gay people, as a treat.
also it just makes me smile unbelievably. i read the last ~30 pages with a huge grin on my face. becky albertalli can have little a writing about gay people, as a treat.
I'm not crying, you are. reread 2k19
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Hello, so I won't be posting a review of this on my blog for personal reasons, but time to enjoy one here! This book broke me into a lot of pieces and I have words to say:
First and foremost, I think it's important to mention that I flat-out sobbed halfway through and then sniffled through the rest. It just really, really resonated with me and made me both so happy and so sad and just—Simon deserves everything, he really does. ALSO WHY IS THE WORLD STILL HOMOPHOBIC? YALL, GET IT TOGETHER.
Secondly, I love Simon and I love his character's voice. I know it made the novel a little less "intelligent", so to speak, and all that jazz, but his voice felt so real and raw, which I think made it ten million times better. Nothing felt distant, and I felt as though I was Simon, which is really, how all books should make you feel.
And Blue...my sweet Blue. Unfortunately, I started the book knowing who he was because I clicked the "view spoiler" button on a review (ten out of ten, do not recommend). BUT, I don't think that made my experience reading this book any less (also I could see all the signs and be like HA I see what you did there, Becky, I see you).
Wow, I get so much more informal in Goodreads-only reviews.
Anyway, yes, Blue was this amazing guy and I loved him and totally see why Simon fell for him. I mean...his perfect grammar! Nauseated instead of nauseous! He's the full package!!
Okay yeah...onto Simon's friends and all of them. I didn't like Leah, at all, and after reading the first three chapters of Leah on the Offbeat I don't think I will enjoy it, despite wanting to see a f/f relationship in YA so badly. I DID like Abby, but I think she was wrong to blame Simon at the ending (though thankfully she saw the light). I think my favorite was Nick...he's such a sweetheart.
Also Martin. No. Do not like. I don't care if he apologized, he's a jerk and needs to repent for his crimes. Just...
Anyway, this book is immensely important. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've never really wanted to see something so badly in my entire life. Hopefully, soon?
-Book Hugger
review to come http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
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Hello, so I won't be posting a review of this on my blog for personal reasons, but time to enjoy one here! This book broke me into a lot of pieces and I have words to say:
First and foremost, I think it's important to mention that I flat-out sobbed halfway through and then sniffled through the rest. It just really, really resonated with me and made me both so happy and so sad and just—Simon deserves everything, he really does. ALSO WHY IS THE WORLD STILL HOMOPHOBIC? YALL, GET IT TOGETHER.
Secondly, I love Simon and I love his character's voice. I know it made the novel a little less "intelligent", so to speak, and all that jazz, but his voice felt so real and raw, which I think made it ten million times better. Nothing felt distant, and I felt as though I was Simon, which is really, how all books should make you feel.
And Blue...my sweet Blue. Unfortunately, I started the book knowing who he was because I clicked the "view spoiler" button on a review (ten out of ten, do not recommend). BUT, I don't think that made my experience reading this book any less (also I could see all the signs and be like HA I see what you did there, Becky, I see you).
Wow, I get so much more informal in Goodreads-only reviews.
Anyway, yes, Blue was this amazing guy and I loved him and totally see why Simon fell for him. I mean...his perfect grammar! Nauseated instead of nauseous! He's the full package!!
Okay yeah...onto Simon's friends and all of them. I didn't like Leah, at all, and after reading the first three chapters of Leah on the Offbeat I don't think I will enjoy it, despite wanting to see a f/f relationship in YA so badly. I DID like Abby, but I think she was wrong to blame Simon at the ending (though thankfully she saw the light). I think my favorite was Nick...he's such a sweetheart.
Also Martin. No. Do not like. I don't care if he apologized, he's a jerk and needs to repent for his crimes. Just...
Anyway, this book is immensely important. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've never really wanted to see something so badly in my entire life. Hopefully, soon?
-Book Hugger
review to come http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
4.5 but cuteness alone gets it up to the 5.
I came to this through the movie, like a lot of people. I loved the movie, which I'll admit had a lot to do with it being one of the first times I saw a cute teen romcom with kids that were like me. So I can't exactly say this is impartial, but... hey, I enjoyed it and that's what matters, I guess!
Simon is a little annoying at times, in that goofy clueless white boy kind of way. He's also adorable and really lovable for the exact same reason. He'll always have Nick Robinson's face to me, which definitely adds to the loveable factor. He and his friends are also really believable teenagers, to the point that sometimes I was cringing and just praying they would think a little less like irrational high schoolers. (Predictably, that did not work.)
And Blue... My heart!! I already knew who it was because of the film, so the entire time I could pick up on all the little hints and clues. I'm sure lots of people reading this for the first time will know because of the movie, but I won't say just in case someone's managed to stay spoiler free. And if you do read this spoiler free, I can definitely suggest doing a reread because again... the cutest thing ever knowing who he is all along.
I'm actually looking forward to reading the other books in the Simonverse now!
I came to this through the movie, like a lot of people. I loved the movie, which I'll admit had a lot to do with it being one of the first times I saw a cute teen romcom with kids that were like me. So I can't exactly say this is impartial, but... hey, I enjoyed it and that's what matters, I guess!
Simon is a little annoying at times, in that goofy clueless white boy kind of way. He's also adorable and really lovable for the exact same reason. He'll always have Nick Robinson's face to me, which definitely adds to the loveable factor. He and his friends are also really believable teenagers, to the point that sometimes I was cringing and just praying they would think a little less like irrational high schoolers. (Predictably, that did not work.)
And Blue... My heart!! I already knew who it was because of the film, so the entire time I could pick up on all the little hints and clues. I'm sure lots of people reading this for the first time will know because of the movie, but I won't say just in case someone's managed to stay spoiler free. And if you do read this spoiler free, I can definitely suggest doing a reread because again... the cutest thing ever knowing who he is all along.
I'm actually looking forward to reading the other books in the Simonverse now!
I bumped it up from 3 stars but it was more around 3.5. It was a fun, easy read and I'm happy lots of people enjoyed it! I found the crush reveal predictable, and the end just a little weird (too many random surprises). Some of the characterisation/character development was.... off. I probably won't read it again but it was neither here nor there. Bonus points for diversity but other than that, it didn't change my life.
My review
If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would probably be refreshing. I had an amazing time reading this book and it did a great job in helping me get through a stressful period at school.
After reading To All the Boys I've loved before, I decided I want to read something similar; a cute love, high-school love story. This book is slow paced, with not so much action or happenings, but still interesting and fun to read. It is about Simon Spier, a junior student at Creekwood, who is also gay, but no one in his life knows that. He meets another boy, Blue, online via email, and through their conversations, falls in love.
I really enjoyed author's style and writing. The book wasn't too long, just perfect. The plot starts developing at the turning point of Simon's life – when he starts talking to Blue. And from there readers get to follow Simon's journey of falling in love, coming out and getting to know himself and people around him better. There was always something happening and reading this book just made me genuinely happy.
For the most part, I enjoyed reading this book because of the way it represents being closeted. I really felt for Simon and his struggles. As he said himself, he had a perfectly normal life: amazing friends, loving and supportive family, and yet something that should be easy and normal made his life infinitely more complicated. I couldn't guess who is Blue going to be until the very end, and I can't say how I feel about it because Bram's character wasn't really developed (besides emailing where he was basically just Blue). I enjoyed going through Simon's life and reading about his problem and how he solved them. I also liked how author addressed bullying in school and how hard can it be for someone even if they are confident and satisfied with their lives.
“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 character was awesome and I can't get enough of him. His perspective is so interesting and he is hilarious as a character. He seems normal and basic but has that something that makes him really interesting. Plus, I always love a good sense of humor.
“But I'm tired of coming out. All I ever do is come out. I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways. I get a girlfriend. I have a beer. And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again.”
Another thing I truly liked was Simons squad. I always love reading about close group of friends, especially those as wonderful as Simon's. I am glad there is another book about Leah because I don't want to say goodbye to them, yet Simon's part of the story should be a standalone book.
I watched the movie shortly after finishing the book and I can say I liked it. Some things are different or cut out, but the point is there, Simon's character is well developed and most important love story is well portrayed. Two things I actually mind about the movie (spoiler): Bram hooking up with some girl at that party and Leah being in love with Simon. Those two were just unnecessary. Simon and Leah are friends from childhood and they have a pure and cute platonic relationship, besides Leah has a crush on Nick, so…
Next stop is probably finishing To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy and then Leah on the Offbeat.
My blog
If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would probably be refreshing. I had an amazing time reading this book and it did a great job in helping me get through a stressful period at school.
After reading To All the Boys I've loved before, I decided I want to read something similar; a cute love, high-school love story. This book is slow paced, with not so much action or happenings, but still interesting and fun to read. It is about Simon Spier, a junior student at Creekwood, who is also gay, but no one in his life knows that. He meets another boy, Blue, online via email, and through their conversations, falls in love.
I really enjoyed author's style and writing. The book wasn't too long, just perfect. The plot starts developing at the turning point of Simon's life – when he starts talking to Blue. And from there readers get to follow Simon's journey of falling in love, coming out and getting to know himself and people around him better. There was always something happening and reading this book just made me genuinely happy.
For the most part, I enjoyed reading this book because of the way it represents being closeted. I really felt for Simon and his struggles. As he said himself, he had a perfectly normal life: amazing friends, loving and supportive family, and yet something that should be easy and normal made his life infinitely more complicated.
“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 character was awesome and I can't get enough of him. His perspective is so interesting and he is hilarious as a character. He seems normal and basic but has that something that makes him really interesting. Plus, I always love a good sense of humor.
“But I'm tired of coming out. All I ever do is come out. I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways. I get a girlfriend. I have a beer. And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again.”
Another thing I truly liked was Simons squad. I always love reading about close group of friends, especially those as wonderful as Simon's. I am glad there is another book about Leah because I don't want to say goodbye to them, yet Simon's part of the story should be a standalone book.
I watched the movie shortly after finishing the book and I can say I liked it. Some things are different or cut out, but the point is there, Simon's character is well developed and most important love story is well portrayed. Two things I actually mind about the movie (spoiler): Bram hooking up with some girl at that party and Leah being in love with Simon. Those two were just unnecessary. Simon and Leah are friends from childhood and they have a pure and cute platonic relationship, besides Leah has a crush on Nick, so…
Next stop is probably finishing To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy and then Leah on the Offbeat.
My blog
It was a nice book.
Just that, nice.
I don't know, I just didn't feel any attached to any of the characters. It wasn't memorable. There were quite a few times when I would pick up the book to continue reading and couldn't remember what happened already. And the emails... somewhere in the middle I couldn't figure out who was Blue, who was Jacques, because I just wasn't that invested in the story.
The ending was cute though.
All in all, a decent and fun read.
Just that, nice.
I don't know, I just didn't feel any attached to any of the characters. It wasn't memorable. There were quite a few times when I would pick up the book to continue reading and couldn't remember what happened already. And the emails... somewhere in the middle I couldn't figure out who was Blue, who was Jacques, because I just wasn't that invested in the story.
The ending was cute though.
All in all, a decent and fun read.