Quotes from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn't be this big awkward thing whether you're straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I'm just saying.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“White shouldn't be the default any more than straight should be the default. There shouldn't even be a default.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“What's a dementor?"
I mean, I can't even. "Nora, you are no longer my sister."
"So it's some Harry Potter thing," she says.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“People really are like house with vast rooms and tiny windows. And maybe it's a good thing, the way we never stop surprising each other.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“The way I feel about him is like a heartbeat -- soft and persistent, underlying everything.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“He talked about the ocean between people. And how the whole point of everything is to find a shore worth swimming to.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“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.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“It is definitely annoying that straight (and white, for that matter) is the default, and that the only people who have to think about their identity are the ones who don't fit that mold. Straight people really should have to come out, and the more awkward it is, the better. Awkwardness should be a requirement.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“I mean, I feel secure in my masculinity, too. Being secure in you masculinity isn't the same as being straight.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“I don't even know. I'm just so sick of straight people who can't get their shit together.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“I’m too busy trying not to be in love with someone who isn’t real.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“He tells me to pick the music. I’m not sure if he knows that handing me his iPod is like handing me the window to his soul.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“I take a sip of my beer, and it's - I mean, it's just astonishingly disgusting. I don't think I was expecting it to taste like ice cream, but holy fucking hell. People lie and get fake IDs and sneak into bars, and for this? I honestly think I'd rather make out with Bieber. The dog. Or Justin.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“And then I kiss him for real, and he kisses me back, and his hands fist my hair. And we're kissing like it's breathing. My stomach flutters wildly. And somehow we end up horizontal, his hands curved up around my back.

"I like this," I say, and my voice comes out breathless. "We should do this. Every day."
"Okay."
"Let's never do anything else. No school. No meals. No homework."
"I was going to ask you to see a movie," he says, smiling. When he smiles, I smile.
"No movies. I hate movies."
"Oh, really?"
"Really, really. Why would I want to watch other people kissing," I say, "when I could be kissing you?”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Really, though, there are only two kinds of weather: hoodie weather and weather where you wear a hoodie anyway.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Did you just tell us you're gay?" Asks Nick
"Yes."
"Okay," he says. Abby swats him. "What?"
"That's all you're going to say? Okay?"
"He said not to make a big deal out of it," Nick says. "What am I supposed to say?"
"Say something supportive. I don't know. Or awkwardly hold his hand like I did. Anything"
Nick and I look at each other.
"I'm not holding your hand," I tell him, smiling a little.
"All right"--he nods--"but know that I would.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“The closest thing I’ve ever had to a journal is probably you.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“And you know what? You don’t get to say it’s not a big thing. This is a big fucking thing, okay? This was supposed to be—this is mine. I’m supposed to decide when and where and who knows and how I want to say it.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Nothing is worse than the secret humiliation of being insulted by proxy.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“I fall a little bit in love with everyone.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“People are shameless when it comes to cake. It's a beautiful thing to see.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“There's something about you that makes me want to open up, and that's slightly terrifying to me.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Wow, is that Katniss making out with Yoda?”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways...And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“It feels like we’re the last survivors of a zombie apocalypse. Wonder Woman and a gay dementor. It doesn’t bode well for the survival of the species.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“It's strange because in reality, I'm not the leading guy. Maybe I'm the best friend. I guess I didn't think of myself as interesting until I was interesting to Blue.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“And this gay thing. It feels so big. It's almost insurmountable. I don't know how to tell them something like this and still come out of it feeling like Simon. Because if Leah and Nick don't recognize me, I don't even recognize myself anymore.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“There are some socks that shouldn't be washed by your mom.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Anyway, we have something for you.”
“Is it another awkward anecdote about me breast-feeding?”
“Oh my God, you were all about the boob,” my dad says. “I can’t believe you turned out to be gay.”
“Hilarious, Dad.”
― Becky Albertalli, quote from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

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Popular quotes

“His soft lips glide across my jaw. I’m dazzled by his touch, drugged by his promises, falling deeper and deeper into him. Before he reaches my mouth, I catch his hands and roll him off until he’s the one on his back, his wings no longer a hiding place but silky black pools along the ground.
I prop my top half over his so I’m in control. “I can’t think,” I whisper. “You’re making me crazy.”
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“A propaganda model has a certain initial plausibility on guided free-market assumptions that are not particularly controversial. In essence, the private media are major corporations selling a product (readers and audiences) to other businesses (advertisers). The national media typically target and serve elite opinion, groups that, on the one hand, provide an optimal “profile” for advertising purposes, and, on the other, play a role in decision-making in the private and public spheres. The national media would be failing to meet their elite audience’s needs if they did not present a tolerably realistic portrayal of the world. But their “societal purpose” also requires that the media’s interpretation of the world reflect the interests and concerns of the sellers, the buyers, and the governmental and private institutions dominated by these groups.”
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