Books to Read After Seeing Love, Simon!

Hello Lovely People,

If you are like me you are still in awe of seeing Love, Simon! I can't even express my love for this movie and novel. Seeing it come to life on the big screen and finally seeing people who don't read express their love for it is so incredible! If you haven't seen the movie-- you should! The movie was absolutely incredible and so perfect for young adults but also adults!

The response to this film has been amazing to see. Love, Simon has such a great vibe to it that it just sticks with you and makes you happy but not just happy but aware. I loved being able to see people being so accepting and feeling like they have a voice to speak up about who they are is SO outstanding! I even felt free after it! My generation gets a lot of hate but for once I was so proud to stand beside and finally see/ be apart of something that matters! I'm so happy everyone loved it!!

So the question is what do you do after seeing and loving Love, Simon? Don't worry I have the perfect cure to your movie hangover! I have put together a couple of books similar to it that have great vibes, good messages, and are super cute and worth it! Here you go!

1. I have been talking to some people and they didn't realize Love, Simon is actually based on the book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. If you haven't read the book yet, I highly encourage it. It is still super adorable and cute and an easy read! Pick it Up!!

2. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum is similar to Love, Simon in that it deals with anonymous emails being sent between two people and we are trying to figure out who is sending them. Jessie has just switched schools after her Mom's death and she keeps getting emails of tips about how to survive high school. Jessie soon begins to rely on the tips and the friendship that forms within the emails.
This book is one of my all time favorites! It is so adorable and it made my heart full! (Waffle :) ). Pick it Up!!

3. The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis. I just read this book and it is still hanging with me. Like Simon, Evan Panos is gay. The story is so beautiful and deals with Evan trying to understand himself while also trying to survive in a household that doesn't get him at all. It will make you cry but it will also make you smile but most importantly it will make you feel alive and important! Pick it Up!!!

4. History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera. It wouldn't feel right if an Adam Silvera book was not on this list. I read this book right after Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and it is so beautiful and sad but I'm sure you gathered that from the title. The story follows Griffin after his ex-boyfriend, Theo, passes away. They are no longer together but Griffin goes back to tell their story and seeks comfort in Theo's new boyfriend, Jackson. Honestly this story made me so sad but opened my eyes. Pick it Up!!

5. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli. Why not pick up another book but the author who gave you Love, Simon right? The friendships in this story are similar to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda but also it deals with present issues like image and what other people think. It has two cute OTPs in it so you should Pick it UP!!!



Thank you so much for reading and I hope these books help you escape your movie hangover :)

Love,
Channy
(^^see what I did there)

The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis

Hi Lovely People,


I haven't read a book this good since 2015 when I read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Y'all I love this book so much! It deserves every award and every ounce of love you can give it! This review is going to be so hard to write because I honestly loved it so much and there aren't enough words AHHH!!! 

Summary: 

Evan Panos is struggling to find his place in this world. His Mother thinks that he is a constant disappointment and she makes sure Evan knows that. His Father just remains quiet and tries to make everything up for Evan's Mother's behavior but not much can anymore. Especially when Evan comes back from Bible camp to his best friend looking more attractive than ever before. The good news is Henry has the same feelings as Evan but then there is Gaige who Evan kissed at camp :( Evan is just trying to survive his life while trying to figure out who he is at the same time.

We need more stories like this. I'm still in book hangover from this one. I legit could not put this book down! This story had me wanting more. I had to put it down while I went to practice and it was sad. It was tragic when I finished it and I had to put it down because I felt like I was a part of this world. I was sad to leave Evan and Henry because I felt like I had been through all that they had been and it was odd leaving that place that I was so invested in.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK:

1. EVAN AND HENRY ARE SO ADORABLE 

2. MAKES YOU APPRECIATE PEOPLE AND WHO THEY ARE

3. MAKES YOU AWARE 

4. ITS SO FREAKING CUTE

5. REALIZE WHAT TRUE FRIENDS ARE

6. ITS SO GOOD THAT YOU WILL HAVE BOOK HANGOVER

7. YOU WILL WANT TO READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN

8. MAKES YOU BELIEVE IN TRUE LOVE

This book is life changing! 

This was the first book that I read about parental abuse and the emotional restraints it puts on a person. Evan is one of the strongest people I have ever read about. I felt like I was experiencing this with him and I felt completely helpless because I couldn't do anything. Now I feel differently because I did do something; I read this story, and I am aware, and I have been impacted by it.  I will never understand what it is like to live under his roof but I know his story and I appreciate and respect him. I am aware at how uncomfortable it makes people and how the people you trust are the ones that often let you down. I’m so honored to have read Evan’s story and his story has given me something new to think about. You can’t choose who you are and to be in an environment where you are not accepted is cruel. Evan is a character that I believe will be with me for the rest of my life because he has showed me how to be yourself when people don't support you.



I'M SERIOUSLY SO IN LOVE PLEASE GO READ IT AND SUPPORT THE DANGEROUS ART OF BLENDING IN!





Much Love,
Channy

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

I'm shocked. That is all that comes to my mind because this story is deeply real. This story sheds light on a boy, Matt, hopelessly in love with his best friend and his neighbor, Tabby. Tabby is basically apart of the family. She participates in Matt's family's Thanksgivings and Halloweens. Tabby and Matt are the greatest friends but Tabby gets a senior boyfriend and Matt feels Tabby's absence in his life but Tabby tries to fit both boys into her life and make it worth it. This story is about friendship and learning how to deal with life.

Before I continue this blog post anymore, I will be spoiling so if you have not read this book then read it and come back it is VERY good.

As a high school student I am perfectly aware of the teenagery behavior I see in this novel. The constant crush, the need of attention, and the losing everything to get what you want concept but this book truly took me to a place that I did not expect and reintroduced me to why I love reading so much. Jared Peck has written the truth. He legit wrote a moment so terrifying horrible and unexpected that  I can't deal.

The thing I love most about this story is how impactful it has been on my life. I am very fortunate to have not have not lost anyone extremely close to me yet but as I grow up I am noticing that the same people I have seen before are no longer there for my friends or parents. The world is constantly changing and I don't believe anyone will be entirely ready for it.

I don't cry when I read novels but Mr. Reck made me cry for the first time. He introduced me to a character that everyone in the story loved and that I grew to love. She meant something to everyone and I grew to love her simplicity. Never would I have expected to see her end in the middle of the story. Tabby's death was incredibly real to me and book-altering. I have never read a story where death is like it is. Jared Reck put Tabby's death in the middle of the story not the end but the middle which I think is incredibly profound. Not only did I get to read about losing someone close but I got to experience it through words. I had to set down the book in order to stop crying. Tabby's death is the realist thing I have experienced in literature and in life.

The scariest thing in this book for me is that I was waiting for Matt to confess his feelings to Tabby but he never got the chance. This story opens your eyes at the complete horrendous fact that life isn't perfect but you have to find ways to keep going and keep living. I love how we are able to see Matt's reaction and how he choses to continue on. I especially love the relationships in this novel. Everyone has a place in this book whether it is a passion or a friendship I feel like everyone was there for one another.
Mostly, this book has made me appreciate books and how they expose me to the world that I haven't experienced yet in my own narrative. I may have not actually known Tabby but I know what it is like to know a person that means the world to you and that you would do anything for them. I am overwhelmed with emotions because I know that this novel is too true and it has made me open to the fact that life is short so make sure to live in the present and experience every moment because you never know when it will be your last.

Shoutout to Jared Reck for his beautiful story and words. I can't wait to read your future work!

Thank you so much for reading!


Much Love,
Channy