Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana Review

"Back to the Future meets Fast Times at Ridgemont High when Haley’s summer vacation takes a turn for the retro in this totally rad romantic fantasy.

Summer officially sucks. Thanks to a stupid seizure she had a few months earlier, Haley’s stuck going on vacation with her dad and his new family to Disney’s Fort Wilderness instead of enjoying the last session of summer camp back home with her friends. Fort Wilderness holds lots of childhood memories for her father, but surely nothing for Haley. But then a new seizure triggers something she’s never before experienced—time travel—and she ends up in River Country, the campground’s long-abandoned water park, during its heyday.

The year? 1982.

And there—with its amusing fashion, “oldies” music, and primitive technology—she runs into familiar faces: teenage Dad and Mom before they’d even met. Somehow, Haley must find her way back to the twenty-first century before her present-day parents anguish over her disappearance, a difficult feat now that she’s met Jason, one of the park’s summer residents and employees, who takes the strangely dressed stowaway under his wing.

Seizures aside, Haley’s used to controlling her life, and she has no idea how to deal with this dilemma. How can she be falling for a boy whose future she can’t share?"

Summer of Yesterday is adorable. However, Haley doesn't strike me as someone with seizures. She strikes me of a young girl who feels as if nothing in this world can touch her, as if she can't be killed or touched by Death. It totally reminds me of that Cold Case episode I watched a few days ago. Anyway, let us move on from the tv world.

Summer of Yesterday is a sweet story of going back to the past and finding yourself. Haley goes to the 80s, meet her teenage parents (funny moment there), and fall in love with a nineteen year old boy named Jason. Every time I realize they are split apart by thirty years, the more I see Romeo and Juliet, the starcrossed lovers. It is a sort of sad tale, yet also very beautiful. When Haley comes back (and of course, she does), Jason will aged thirty years while she remains the same. It would be a twist of fate if she has another seizure and goes back to the 80s from time to time.

Jason is not Jason Grace. He is a much sweeter version of that tough guy. On, and he is not a rules-loving type of guy. This is the guy who is brilliant with tech and knows how to charge up an iPhone, before the iPhone even existed. He is that kind of guy who is sort of nerdy in an endearing way. For someone his age, he took Haley's secrets pretty well. I know I would be screaming (and posting pics onto Facebook) if someone from 2050 comes by. It would be awesome, too. And sure, if that does happen, I'll post it on this blog.

The book doesn't follow history very well. I, for one, am sure that the US fifty dollar bill looks much different than the 1980s US fifty dollar bill. You are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong. Plus, isn't there a date of the year on the bill? Plot inconsistencies with modern times...I guess. I can probably point out a few more like hair highlighting, but I'm not going any further. Please note that some of these topics will need further research before making judgements. Only exception: US fifty dollar bill. That one has been looked through.

The book is fast-paced if you can get through Haley's whining, which seems to take a bit long. Honestly, the entire book totally reminds me of The Last Countdown (which is a movie taking place in present time and World War II. Guess what it involves? Time traveling!).

Overall, I think Summer of Yesterday is a good book to read if you have spare time. It is the type of book you read when you don't want to read anything else. Or if you are avoiding homework. Or if you want to time travel.

Rating: Three out of Five

Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana Review

"Chloe Rodriguez values three things above all else her family; her best friend, Rock; and Lolita, her Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster. With a black body, blue airbrushed flames, and perfect sloping ape hangers, Lolita is Chloe's last connection to her beloved uncle, Seth, who left her the bike when he died last summer. So when a failing chemistry grade threatens to separate Chloe from her motorcycle, she vows not to let that happen . . . no matter what. 

Enter Gordon. Ridiculously organized, ubersmart, and hot in a casual, doesn't-know-it kind of way, Chloe's peer tutor may have a thing or two to teach her besides chemistry. But she has to stop falling for Gordon . . . and get Rock to act mature whenever he's around . . . and pass chemistry so she doesn't lose Lolita forever. Just when Chloe thinks she's got it all figured out, a bump in the road comes out of nowhere and sends her skidding."

Sorry guys. It has been awhile since I reviewed a book. Part of that reason is because I'm a bit tired and I have other things to do. Another part is this: I haven't read a book, because I was so busy. I know! Gasp! I haven't read a book in awhile. So unlike me! Well, that is what summer does to me and everyone. Got to take a break someday, right? 

First of all, I will tell you that Riding the Universe is not my piece of cake. I don't really like it. It is kind of boring, with an aimless journey to somewhere. Chloe, for one thing, has a bunch of issue. Sure, she is failing Chemistry, but really? Does it matter? (I, for one, will be far from failing, which might affect my judgement in this area). Two, she is distracted by guys. Three, she wants to save Lolita, her motorcycle, but really? From her attitude, I would say that she doesn't really care about Lolita. After all, when she chooses between Lolita and Gordon (her boyfriend), she sadly chooses Gordon. (I would totally pick the boy. Motorcycles scare me to death, especially if they are louder than my screams).

Is there a lesson to be learned? Really, it is this: Never be distracted by boys and sometimes bad boys are the best boys. Lesson #2: Nice boys can be jerks to girls sometimes. Anyway, it is all about boys and motorcycles. I should add family, but Chloe ditches her family so much that I can't really put that down.

Despite all of this weird things, there are a few good points. The storyline is good (although a bit dry). The writing (well who cares about it) is clear enough to read and understand. The ending of Riding the Universe is very happy (unless you are a Gordon fan, then you will be crossed with the author and Chloe). It is a bit surprising, but I think the author did terrible foreshadowing. I had my eyes out for clues of Chloe's father or mother, but didn't see any. I really believed Seth was Chloe's uncle.

Plus, Chloe is annoying. Every time she opens her mouth, I just want to dump oil into her throat and let her choke on it. (Oh, my goodness, violent thoughts!)

(Whoops! So many spoilers revealed!)

Overall, I think Riding the Universe is only a good book to read if you are a) bored, b) drunk, or c) desperately need a book to read and can't find anything else. The good benefits of b) drunk is that you probably won't remember what happened in the book the morning after. That is a good side effect, eh?

Rating: Two out of Five