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 I didn't know much about this book when I first requested it, all I saw was the title, cover and the fact that Andrew Smith (one of my all-time favorite authors) blurbed it. I'm so glad I was impulsive because Simon is easily one of the best YA debuts and contemporary books I've ever read. Becky Albertalli has tapped into territory that's not frequently explored in YA at all: coming out to the world and she does it with humor and unflinching honesty. Just reading Simon has made me realize how refreshing diversity in YA (in terms of sexuality and racial) can be and how necessary diverse books truly are. 
 Simon Spier is gay, but no one in the world seems to know that besides an online friend whose pen name is Blue. All Simon wants is to be done with hiding who he is and to go out with Blue, but things get complicated when someone gets a hand on one of his emails. Soon Simon is being blackmailed by a guy named Martin into becoming a wingman or else everyone will know he's gay. 
 Simon vs. is one of those books that is beyond important, this is the type of book that could change someone's lives. Even in 2015, life for GLBTAQI+ individuals isn't easy and it's important for people to see themselves in literature to know they're not alone. Many teens are afraid to come out and I think a book like Simon could give people the courage to show the world who they really are. We need more diverse books and I truly hope there are more books like Simon that are going to be published in the future because the world truly needs them. 
 I was smiling nearly the entire time I was reading Becky Albertalli's debut because this book is seriously adorable and hilarious. Simon is an incredible character and his voice is extremely distinct and realistic, evoking one of the most realistic depictions I've ever seen of a teen. It's extremely easy to empathize with Simon and almost immediately I fell in love with his character. All it will take is one email to make you obsessed with Simon and Blue and to make you ship them. 
 This book doesn't shy away from truly showing all different shades of the high-school experience. This entire book shows the ups and downs of being a teenager in a proper light, without tampering with it at all. From laughing along with Simon's awesome friend group to dealing with bullies, this book shows the triumphs and struggles teens deal with. Even though Simon does deal with animosity, he has his friends to help him along the way and readers will wish they were apart of Simon's little crew. 
 Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is a remarkable novel, one that will resonate with readers long after they're finished reading. Also be sure to have a healthy stack of OREOs on hand because you'll definitely be craving those frequently while reading. This is a book that will hit close to home for many readers and it's my hope that Albertalli doesn't ever stop writing. Simon is a gift to the YA world and it's going to be a hit with so many.