Rebecca Peterson

Blue, 

Okay, first of all, Oreos absolutely qualify as a food group. Second of all, they’re the ONLY food group that matters. My sisters and I actually made up this place called the Shoreo a few years ago one night when we were staying at our aunt’s house. It’s like this place where everything is made of some kind of Oreo, and the river is an Oreo milk shake, and you sit on top of this massive Oreo and float down it. You get to scoop up cups of milk shake whenever you want. It’s kind of like that scene in Willy Wonka, I guess.

For my Oreo-obsessed Simon inspired cupcake recipe, click here.

 

5/5 stars

The Story:

Simon Spier is a typical 16 year-old high school student, with a secret he hasn’t told anyone yet — well, no one except Blue, his anonymous pen pal. Becky Albertalli weaves Simon’s journey as a gay teenager through the secrets, the bullying, and the self-discovery.

My Take: 

There were so many wonderful things about this novel. Simon is charming, hilarious, whiny, dramatic — a typical teenager and yet so endearing. High School was never my jam. I enjoyed college much more and couldn’t wait to leave High School. And yet, this novel made me nostalgic for being a teenager again. Amidst the angst and major stress as he tries to decide whether or not he wants to come out to his friends and family, he is so carefree in his friendships and with his family. I especially loved his family. Wonderfully nerdy and perfectly supportive and loving. Overall, Simon just tugged at my heart and how could he not with words such as these:

“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.”