Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is the book that inspired the new trajectory of this blog! When Simon Spier, not-so-openly gay drama nerd, realizes his secret emails have been read by class clown Martin, he has to decide how to protect the identity of his online friend (maybe someday boyfriend?) Blue, while not totally selling out his friend Abby, all while trying to survive high school in Shady Creek, Georgia. It's a lot! This book is for everyone who has ever for anyone who has ever experienced the thrill of first love, especially through a flirtatious relationship via email, text, AIM (remember that?), or good old fashion letters.
There is so much pop culture and external references in this book that you could spin a whole spider web! It was difficult to narrow it down to just a few highlights, but focusing on the most common references helped!
Harry Potter
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda was published in 2015, well after the main Harry Potter series was complete, but well within the time frame where the country (the world?) was still under the spell of the Hogwarts universe. It was also after Rowling revealed that Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was, in fact, a gay character. (Also before she spoke out about her transphobic views which have since alienated her from the LGBTQ+ community. But how could Becky Albertalli (or Simon) known that would happen?)
Regardless, Harry Potter is a touchstone for so many youth and young adults since the first book was published in 1997, so Simon's constant references, including liking his glasses because they make him look like Harry Potter ("One time. I said it once.") and dressing up as a dementor for Halloween are right on point. And the fact that a dream he had about Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) that was one of many pieces for Simon to discover his own sexuality? He for sure is not alone in that, especially if all that Harry Potter and Draco slash fic is any indication.
Oreos
Via Oreo.com
Oreos play a big part in Simon's life; he even pens an entire email to Blue about the wonders of Oreos ("Okay, first of all, Oreos absolutely qualify as a food group. Second of all, they're the ONLY food group that matters.") He celebrates his birthday with an Oreo cake (which was maybe something like this Oreo Quake Cake?) and, of course, eats mini Oreos with milk on his first date with Blue.
Fun fact, Oreos were not the original chocolate cookie with cream, they just had a better name than the originals: Hydrox Cookies. (Sounds chemically, doesn't it?)
Elliott Smith
Of course no discussion of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda would be complete without a mention of singer/songwriter Elliott Smith (with two t's). The email address Simon uses to write to Blue is a lyric from an Elliott Smith song, Waltz #2. What song could be more perfect for a secret email address to correspond with an internet crush than one with a lyric like this?:
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
When Blue tells him he's figured out the Elliott Smith connection, Simon recommends he listen to "Oh Well, Okay," and "Between the Bars." Blue even surprises Simon with an Elliott Smith t-shirt that Simon's too nervous to wear, but also wants to wear right away. Because such is the giddy emotion of first love.
When Simon and Blue finally do meet in person, and he sees that Blue's playlist includes all the songs he's ever mentioned, he swoons. "I think I'm in love," he thinks. And (spoiler) when he and Blue do kiss? Simon thinks, "He kisses like Elliott Smith sings." They're clearly perfect for each other.
The Story Continues...
When you find a book you never want to end, it's great when there's a sequel. Fortunately, if you enjoyed this book, you have plenty of options! You can continue reading more about characters in this universe with Leah on the Offbeat and Love, Creekwood. You can also watch the movie adaptation of the original novel, Love, Simon. Plus, if you have a Hulu subscription, you can watch the spin-off TV series, Love, Victor. There's a lot of love to go around!
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This book is all about connections, from pop culture references, to friendships to family, to finding your place in the world. What do you do to feel connected to the world outside (or inside) yourself?
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