Etsy Pride: Love, Simon Edition!

I'm back with another Etsy Pride! Today, I'm sharing some fun Love, Simon (or Simon Vs. the Homo-Sapiens Agenda) items that you can buy on Etsy today. I'd love any of these!! As always, these images are from Etsy; I do NOT own any of them.

Love, Simon t-shirt - you can buy this shirt for $15.29 from Seventh Society in Canada.

I love the look of this shirt. It's simple and understated, but I like that! Plus, the red color is bright and fun - perfect for the upcoming summer.

Simon Vs. inspired candle that smells like chocolate cookies! You can get a 9 oz. jar for $12.50 courtesy of Little Crow Candles of Florida.

I'm curious what a chocolate cookie candle would smell like, though it's obviously in honor of Simon's love of Oreos. I wish there was an image of the actual candle, but regardless, it sounds like a fun gift for any fan!

Custom Simon Spier Funko Pop from MK Workshop Treasures. Since this is custom made, it does cost $35, but honestly, that's not too bad!

I'm always in awe of people who make their own Funko Pops, and I love that they are often book characters - since they don't normally get their own Funkos. I'd love to have Simon for my collection, and it says Blue is on his way!

Simon Vs. Miniature Book Magnet - courtesy of A Magnetic Library based in Arkansas. One magnet is $4.50. 

How cute is this 3-D magnet? I love that it really looks like a book, with the pages on the sides and everything! Plus, it's not that expensive and you can get other books if you aren't a fan of Simon Vs. (or even if you are!) I think I need a few of these!! 

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There aren't a ton of Love, Simon/Simon Vs. items on Etsy (YET), but there are some others so definitely go searching if none of these catch your eye! 

Would you purchase any of these, for yourself or a friend? Tell me! 

Love, Simon is...Amazing

Has anyone seen Love, Simon yet? It's amazing. I'm seriously in love with it and ready to go back and see it again. I'll have a more full review on my ShootingStarsMag blog tomorrow, if you want to keep an eye out. However, I'm also taking other people's thoughts about the movie because I hope to share those in a post this Friday. So if you've seen the movie and have something to add, let me know, or if you wrote your own blog review of the film, send me a link and I'll happily share that too!

Now, if Love, Simon is our near you and you aren't sure about seeing it...please, please do! Or buy a ticket or someone who wants to see it. Show the movie studios we want more LGBT+ movies and hopefully Love, Simon will do so well, they'll make them.

Rainbow Roundup: Noteworthy, Finding Nevo, and More!

I'm back with another Rainbow Roundup. Check out all the LGBT+ posts and book reviews below. Anything look interesting? I'm so glad you all are enjoying these!

Books for a Delicate Eternity reviewed/discusses Noteworthy by Riley Redgate (YA, bisexual MC, etc.)

Crushingcinders reviewed Noteworthy by Riley Redgate as well

Books for a Delicate Eternity also reviewed Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin (LGBT+ memoir)

Readers in Wonderland talks about 5 LGBT+ Books They Need to Read

It Starts at Midnight has a guest post from author Julie Ember about The Seafarer's Kiss (F/F romance)

Pink Polka Dot Books interviewed Cale Dietrich, author of The Love Interest (YA, M/M)

Night Owl Book Cafe reviewed The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (MC's sister is a lesbian)

Happily Ever Chapter reviewed My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen by David Clawson (YA, M/M)

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is Becoming a Movie!

One of my favorite book is Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli and I'm so excited that it's been optioned to become a film. Not only that but it actually has a director attached and that would be Greg Berlanti, who has most recently been working on hit shows like Arrow and The Flash. You can learn a bit more about the film and Berlanti by reading this Hollywood Reporter article.

Who has read this book? Are you excited about a movie version? If you have not read the book, check it out on Goodreads now!

Discussion: Can LGBT+ Books Be Funny?!

In honor of April Fool's Day, I thought this would be an appropriate topic to discuss today. When people think of LGBT+ books, the common trope seems to be angst and sadness. Whether it's teenagers worrying about coming out or dealing with close-minded friends and family. Sometimes these teens are even bullied or beaten up. When the characters get older, they still deal with being misunderstood and ending up in bad relationships. Sure, I love dramatic novels; the ones that show the dark and grittiness of the real world. These things happen and they should be shown instead of shoved to the side. For those that relate, they can see themselves. For those that do not, they can learn more about other people and learn to be more empathetic.

However, there is more to the LGBT+ world than darkness, bullying, and anger. Sometimes people come out and are treated fine. Some people have no problem identifying as LGBT+ and are proud to flaunt it. Some LGBT+ people are really happy and fun and funny. These types of stories need to be
told too.

To be honest, I can't think of that many books that are about LGBT+ characters and are actually funny. Sure, there are funny moments and enjoyable characters. But what about a book that is mostly just lighthearted and fun? The one book I can really think of is the YA novel Simon Vs. the Homo-Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. Simon's life isn't perfect and there are some tougher moments. I mean, come on, he's a high school student! What do you expect? However, the book isn't that heavy. Simon is a nice, amusing guy who loves Oreos! This is one book where it shows that being LGBT+ isn't a bad thing...being a teen is tough for everyone...and you can find happiness in a lot of different ways!

I'm not saying this is the only LGBT+ book I've ever read that was mostly positive and funny, but it's the one I can think of right now. I'd love to know what books you feel fit these categories! Even if the book isn't all that humorous, if mostly good things happen, let me know!

-Lauren

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Review by Lauren

Source: copy from library; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.

Review: This is easily one of my new favorite books and I think it's something that pretty much everyone should read. It took me a bit to find the time to grab this one, but I'm so happy I finally did. Don't wait too long - you're sure to love Simon!

Simon has an email relationship of sorts with a guy from his school. That's all he knows about his identify, as he refers to himself as Blue. Simon and Blue, instead, share all sorts of other personal and fun facts about themselves, trying hard not to give themselves away with anything too obvious. Simon is desperate to know the guy behind the computer screen, even though he isn't out himself. However, Blue is far more anxious about this than Simon and doesn't want to exchange phone numbers or meet in person.

Besides Simon and Blue's emails (which were great!), we have plenty of story lines with Simon. There's his family, his friends, and even a fellow musical theater guy who is blackmailing Simon to help him win over a girl. If Simon doesn't help, this guy will reveal that Simon is gay (and perhaps even share information about Blue). Simon isn't quite ready to come out, but he's far more worried about breaking Blue's trust than anything else.

This book feels like a guy wrote it, which is fantastic! It's funny, emotional, realistic. Yeah, Simon is gay and he likes a guy he doesn't quite know. But there is so much more to him and this story. You need to read it!