Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a book you need to read. In a world where we are still fighting for diverse YA characters, Simon hits it out of the park.

As a side note, don't you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default?Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing...

It's clear that Albertalli has vetted her story with the audience because she really gets it right. Simon is the ultimate teenager facing challenges that all teens face - communication with parents, navigating peer and romantic relationships, and finding his identity within the universe, which also consists of the choice of when to let tell his friends and family that he is gay.

Like the way you can memorize someone's gestures but never know their thoughts. And the feeling that people are like houses with vast rooms and tiny windows.

Delving into his inner thoughts with an unknown (but also gay) peer, we see Simon discover parts of himself that he hadn't really considered, like how he doesn't always know deeply what's going on with his friends. His emails back and forth are heartwarming!

Recommend this for fans of contemporary who want diverse, deep characters!