Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is one of those books that just makes me happy. And we definitely need that these days! I’ve been in the mood for re-reading lately, despite my long October TBR that I still haven’t finished. Maybe I’ll leave it for November? Seems like the perfect cozy month for re-reading to me. Colder weather and happy books, sounds like some great plans for November to me!
Anyway, back to Simon. Simon created a lot of open doors for more LGBTQ YA books to be published, and it should absolutely be celebrated for that. Plus, the movie adaptation was great. Fun and happy and definitely a comfort movie for me. Stay tuned for some more comfort book recs as colder weather comes our way!
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Top Read-a-Likes for Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Looking for LGBTQ romance?
Camp by L.C. Rosen
Randy has the perfect summer plan. In order to land the guy he’s had a crush on for the last few summers, he’s going to go the sports path, not his usual drama path. Once they fall in love, he’ll show his truth self and he’ll accept him for him? A summer romance about toxic masculinity in the LGBTQ community and figuring out how to be yourself. And not changing for anyone.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel is determined to prove to his family that he’s a brujo. But when he tries to summon the ghost of his cousin, he gets Julian instead. And now, he has to help Julian with unfinished business before he crosses over. But as Yadriel spends more time with him, the more he falls for Julian. Maybe he doesn’t want him leaving after all. Ghosts and magic and the Day of the Dead; it’s really a perfect October read!
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
Cal’s life is upended when his dad is accepted onto NASA’s latest space mission. But he thinks he can still make it work, especially with his large social media following. What he doesn’t plan on is falling for Leon, another astronaut’s kid. Now what will his future look like? Space and romance and a look at the effects of the media. All around a great book!
Or maybe a teen rom-com?
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rowan and Neil have been academic rivals for their entire high school career. In their last event, they’re determined to beat each other in the annual scavenger hunt. However, they decide to team up until the end, since they’ll finish the fastest. Then they can destroy each other. If they don’t fall in love first. Scavenger hunts and enemies to lovers, such a fun rom-com.
Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Being Korean American, Frank’s parents expect him to meet a nice Korean girl. The same for his friend, Joy. In order to date who they want, they come up with a scheme to trick their parents. What could go wrong? A romance with a lot of meat behind it, David Yoon is a romance writer you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes on!
What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Arthur and Ben have a meet-cute in a post office in New York one summer. When they find each other, their first date doesn’t go as planned. So they try again. And again. What if they can’t make it work, even though it seems like they’re met to be together? Summer romance in New York, even if it doesn’t go as planned.
Do you like the pen-pals to lovers trope?
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
For Penny, high school wasn’t a huge deal. Not many close friends, nothing major happened. So she’s determined to make the most of her college experience. And to become a writer. Sam is also stuck, in every way. When the two awkwardly meet, they strike up a texting relationship. Is it something that would make it in real life, too? A book about being there for each other and navigating the future when it’s extremely uncertain.
Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee
When Tash’s web series suddenly gets internet acclaim, she has to learn how to deal with her newfound fame. It even wins a Golden Tuba Award, which means she gets the chance to meet the guy she’s been flirting with on the internet. But he’ll definitely accept her even though she’s asexual, right? Internet romance isn’t always what we think, but the letters are definitely still cute.
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
Bailey has spent months crushing on a fellow film buff she met online known as Alex. They’re separated by distance until Bailey moves in with her dad. But she can’t find the courage to tell him. And now, her co-worker Porter is making things complicated. Jenn Bennett is one of the queens of YA romance, and her books are light-hearted and heart-meltingly cute.
Perhaps you want a coming out story.
Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram
A few months after his trip to Iran, Darius has everything going for him. A new boyfriend, a great job, and a place on the soccer team. So why doesn’t he feel happier? And why does he have feelings for his old bully? Darius has a lot of anxiety about people liking him and accepting him, and this is felt throughout the book. A sweet, endearing book about finding your voice and what makes you happy.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Charlie falls for rugby player Nick after they start sitting next to each other in class. They become quick friends, but Charlie isn’t sure if Nick is even gay. As Nick starts to have feelings for Charlie, he isn’t sure about his identity either. This graphic novel series is sweet and heartfelt and hits some of the nuances of coming out for the first time. Nick and Charlie are just as cute as Simon and Blue from Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
Dreadnought by April Daniels
When Danny meets the famed superhero Dreadnought as he’s dying, he transfers his powers to her. Which comes with a new body. Not only does she have to deal with suddenly having superpowers, but also how to tell everyone around her that she’s transgender. There aren’t enough diverse superhero stories featuring transgender characters, but this is one empowering coming out story. Literally.
Or you’re just in the mood for something set in high school.
You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson
Liz just lost a scholarship from her dream school. Now, she has to figure out what to do next. So, she enters into her school’s Prom Queen competition, which comes with a scholarship. What she didn’t expect was to fall for her competition. Anxiety, high school drama, and music; all the things you might be missing from the Simon Vs. crew!
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Frances has had one goal her whole high school career: get into Harvard. So, she’s a study machine. But when she meets Aled, school doesn’t seem as important as it once did. The two become close, and now the future becomes uncertain. While there isn’t really a romance in this book, it’s about the fear of what comes after high school and the fact that not everyone follows the same path.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
All Felix Love wants is to be in love. But he’s a afraid he has one marginalization too many: Black, gay, and transgender. When someone posts pictures of him pre-transition at school, he thinks he knows who did it. So he comes up with a plan to catfish them. Instead, he falls into a love triangle. Set in an art high school as the setting with a great group of friends, this will help if you’re missing the Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Creekwood crew!