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So Yesterday
Ever wonder who was the first kid to keep a wallet on a big chunky chain, or wear way-too-big-pants on purpose? What about the mythical first guy who wore his baseball cap backwards? These are the Innovators, the people on the very cusp of cool. Seventeen-year-old Hunter Braque’s job is finding them for the retail market. But when a big-money client disappears, Hunter must use all his cool-hunting talents to find her.Along the way he’s drawn into a web of brand-name intrigue—a missing cargo of the coolest shoes he’s ever seen, ads for products that don’t exist, and a shadowy group dedicated to the downfall of consumerism as we know it.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2004
104 people are currently reading
4705 people want to read
About the author
Scott Westerfeld
89 books21.3k followersScott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He is best known for the Uglies and Leviathan series. His current series, IMPOSTORS, returns to the world of Uglies.
The next book in that series, MIRROR'S EDGE, comes out April 6, 2021.
The next book in that series, MIRROR'S EDGE, comes out April 6, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 913 reviews
November 10, 2009
This is my favorite book of all time. Seventeen year old Hunter Braque works for a company in New York that specializes in 'cool tasting'. They watch advertisements for shoe companies and decide if it's cool or not.
He meets a girl named Jen, an Innovator (explained in the book), and she has some pretty cool lace designs on her shoes. He brings her to the tasting, and she speaks up on the commercial.
His boss, Mandy, and everyone else liked what she said. Mandy calls Hunter to schedule a meeting in Chinatown, but she never shows up. They discover her cell phone in an abandoned derelict building, and they find something that made them think their eyes were deceitful.
So Yesterday takes you into the world of New York consumerism, and the fads of today and innovations of tomorrow. Scott Westerfeld again successfully lures the reader into a conspiracy of cool innovations and deceitful actions that leaves you hungry for more after each chapter.
This book is a must read for anyone! I've read this book about 5 times and I still can't get sick of it!
He meets a girl named Jen, an Innovator (explained in the book), and she has some pretty cool lace designs on her shoes. He brings her to the tasting, and she speaks up on the commercial.
His boss, Mandy, and everyone else liked what she said. Mandy calls Hunter to schedule a meeting in Chinatown, but she never shows up. They discover her cell phone in an abandoned derelict building, and they find something that made them think their eyes were deceitful.
So Yesterday takes you into the world of New York consumerism, and the fads of today and innovations of tomorrow. Scott Westerfeld again successfully lures the reader into a conspiracy of cool innovations and deceitful actions that leaves you hungry for more after each chapter.
This book is a must read for anyone! I've read this book about 5 times and I still can't get sick of it!
Read
July 6, 2010I enjoyed Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series so I was curious to see how I'd like one of his books that was set in the real world. I thought he did a great job with the characters of Hunters and Jen. They were unique, likable, and memorable. I also loved the historical facts that Westerfeld put in the story.
And like the Uglies series, So Yesterday makes you think about how things work in our society--specifically, how we decide what is cool and what isn't. It seems like such a silly topic, but as Hunter points out, there's big money to be made in cool. People really do pay ridiculous amounts for the cool label.
My only complaint about this book (besides a few swear words that I wished weren't there) was that I wanted more from the ending. I'm not sure what--but it just seemed like Hunter went through so much to try and help his friend and got so little. (But then maybe that was the point--people who are all about cool aren't good friends.)
Also, I never quite understood why the Jammers invited Hunter and Jen to the launch party. But all and all it was a book worth reading.
And like the Uglies series, So Yesterday makes you think about how things work in our society--specifically, how we decide what is cool and what isn't. It seems like such a silly topic, but as Hunter points out, there's big money to be made in cool. People really do pay ridiculous amounts for the cool label.
My only complaint about this book (besides a few swear words that I wished weren't there) was that I wanted more from the ending. I'm not sure what--but it just seemed like Hunter went through so much to try and help his friend and got so little. (But then maybe that was the point--people who are all about cool aren't good friends.)
Also, I never quite understood why the Jammers invited Hunter and Jen to the launch party. But all and all it was a book worth reading.
December 10, 2010
Oh sweet painful hell! I give up on this book. So Yesterday is my first novel by Scott Westerfeld, and I heard such great things about him. But if the best he can do is slap me in the face with constant simple sentences and a mildly creative concept wrapped around a lackluster plot, no thanks.
It started off somewhat okay, the concept was as I said creative, but that’s where it ends. The main character Hunter Braque, a trendsetter, comes across dumber than dirt and this girl Jen James, an innovator, who he suddenly meets one day and immediately goes on kidnapping mystery quest isn’t much brighter.
This book has so much potential that it comes across as a major disappointment. I would have loved to see what Cory Doctorow or John Green could do with this novel that revolves around trendsetting and the pyramid of fashion as told through a guy’s perspective. I found that part interesting.
I have a few questions about the book that just grated on my nerves, but I have to ask them:
Jen, where were you on your way to when Hunter suddenly crosses your path and you were able to immediately drop everything and go on a meaningless quest with him?
Hunter, when that baddie took your phone and started calling your contacts trying to figure out who you were, assuming your family and friends would answer his questions because of your Caller ID, why didn’t you call your cell provider and have them shut down the phone service by reporting it stolen? The Caller ID issue wouldn’t be an issue after that?
Hunter and Jen, when you went to the police department to report Mandy’s kidnapping… why didn’t you mention to the cop the fact that you had EVIDENCE… yes EVIDENCE on the phone video that foul play was involved? Yes, I understand the 24 hours issue for missing persons, but with EVIDENCE that becomes a moot point! Gah!
Okay I’ve wasted enough time on this book, and I'll repeat I didn't finish it... just couldn't. I love my YL public library, they save me a ton of money when I think I have a good book and it ends up being major suckage. Thank you YLPL.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with the fashion pyramid…
At the top of the pyramid, there are the innovators. They are the logo exiles, first to wear their wallet on a chunk chain, or wear way too big pants on purpose, the first mythical guy to wear his baseball cap backwards. Innovators don’t look cool; there is always something off about them, like they are uncomfortable with the world.
Next are the trendsetters. Their goal is to be the second person in the world to catch the latest trend. They watch carefully for innovations and are always ready to jump on board. Other people watch them because they are cool.
Below them are the early adopters. They have the latest phone or music player. They test and tweak the trend that they see in magazines.
Further down the pyramid are the consumers. They have to see a product on TV or in the movies, 15 magazine ads, on a rack in the mall before they jump on board.
Last are the laggards. They wear their mullets and feathered back hair with pride. They resist all change since they got out of high school.
Which one are you??? XD
It started off somewhat okay, the concept was as I said creative, but that’s where it ends. The main character Hunter Braque, a trendsetter, comes across dumber than dirt and this girl Jen James, an innovator, who he suddenly meets one day and immediately goes on kidnapping mystery quest isn’t much brighter.
This book has so much potential that it comes across as a major disappointment. I would have loved to see what Cory Doctorow or John Green could do with this novel that revolves around trendsetting and the pyramid of fashion as told through a guy’s perspective. I found that part interesting.
I have a few questions about the book that just grated on my nerves, but I have to ask them:
Jen, where were you on your way to when Hunter suddenly crosses your path and you were able to immediately drop everything and go on a meaningless quest with him?
Hunter, when that baddie took your phone and started calling your contacts trying to figure out who you were, assuming your family and friends would answer his questions because of your Caller ID, why didn’t you call your cell provider and have them shut down the phone service by reporting it stolen? The Caller ID issue wouldn’t be an issue after that?
Hunter and Jen, when you went to the police department to report Mandy’s kidnapping… why didn’t you mention to the cop the fact that you had EVIDENCE… yes EVIDENCE on the phone video that foul play was involved? Yes, I understand the 24 hours issue for missing persons, but with EVIDENCE that becomes a moot point! Gah!
Okay I’ve wasted enough time on this book, and I'll repeat I didn't finish it... just couldn't. I love my YL public library, they save me a ton of money when I think I have a good book and it ends up being major suckage. Thank you YLPL.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with the fashion pyramid…
At the top of the pyramid, there are the innovators. They are the logo exiles, first to wear their wallet on a chunk chain, or wear way too big pants on purpose, the first mythical guy to wear his baseball cap backwards. Innovators don’t look cool; there is always something off about them, like they are uncomfortable with the world.
Next are the trendsetters. Their goal is to be the second person in the world to catch the latest trend. They watch carefully for innovations and are always ready to jump on board. Other people watch them because they are cool.
Below them are the early adopters. They have the latest phone or music player. They test and tweak the trend that they see in magazines.
Further down the pyramid are the consumers. They have to see a product on TV or in the movies, 15 magazine ads, on a rack in the mall before they jump on board.
Last are the laggards. They wear their mullets and feathered back hair with pride. They resist all change since they got out of high school.
Which one are you??? XD
January 7, 2011
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I really liked Jen and Hunter. I liked the whole concept of the book. I love how Scott Westerfeld always writes books with these weird twists to the setting in them. That is one of the reasons I love his writing. Overall, it was an OK read. I didn't LOVE it. But I did like it. :D
I really liked Jen and Hunter. I liked the whole concept of the book. I love how Scott Westerfeld always writes books with these weird twists to the setting in them. That is one of the reasons I love his writing. Overall, it was an OK read. I didn't LOVE it. But I did like it. :D
October 1, 2020
Have you ever wondered how trends start? Who decides if something is "cool" and how does the news spread through the masses? It has to start somewhere, right? This book was published in 2004 so I can only imagine how Westerfeld would NOW examine the pyramid of "coolness" and "trendsetting" with the explosion of social media we've experienced in the past 16 years! Although this is "dated" it's still a pretty cool story! And I like the way this author writes and find his books fast reads with interesting plots and great action. His characters are also really good in this book. I definitely enjoyed this book.
I wonder if he wrote a sequel? I'd definitely read it because his take on the impact of social media to this whole concept would be fascinating!
I wonder if he wrote a sequel? I'd definitely read it because his take on the impact of social media to this whole concept would be fascinating!
February 17, 2009
This may be my favorite Scott Westerfeld book. I enjoyed Uglies, Pretties, etc. but lost interest in the series about half way through. I really liked Westerfeld's unique take on vampires in Peeps. But this. This is Westerfeld taking on Culture Jammers, Fad, Fashion, Trends, Conformity, and Modern Consumerism. It's an romance/mystery/social commentary/adventure set on the streets of Manhattan, following one weekend in the life of a "cool-hunter" - a teen who earns money spotting new "cool stuff" to sell to corporate amerika for mass production. It's a romance, between a trendsetter/analyst and an innovator/free-spirit. It's a mystery, as Hunter (the cool-hunter)'s boss disappears. It's social commentary, as I spent the whole book trying to figure out if it was completely realistic, or if it had a twinge of speculative fiction. It's an adventure, as our heros navigate the waters of seizure-causing Pokemon, faux-magazines, and unbranding in search of the perfect shoe (and/or boss).
The only thing that got on my nerves was the author's refusal to name brands. Normally, this would have added a star in my book, but in this case, Westerfeld makes a point of not naming the brand, then gives clues that make the brand identity obvious. I think this does the opposite of what the author intends - I spent mind-power identifying the brand instead of glossing over it, giving more attention to the brand, not less. I don't like bending my mind around clues with the prize being the word "Visa." It kind of feels like a slap in the face. Maybe that's the point. But really, read it. It still feels very current - and that could change any minute now.
The only thing that got on my nerves was the author's refusal to name brands. Normally, this would have added a star in my book, but in this case, Westerfeld makes a point of not naming the brand, then gives clues that make the brand identity obvious. I think this does the opposite of what the author intends - I spent mind-power identifying the brand instead of glossing over it, giving more attention to the brand, not less. I don't like bending my mind around clues with the prize being the word "Visa." It kind of feels like a slap in the face. Maybe that's the point. But really, read it. It still feels very current - and that could change any minute now.
August 14, 2023
this book vaguely outlined my world! The plot: good. fine. enough for me as a grade schooler. I️ think the book just did a interesting job of making me consider (if not over-analyze) what trends were at a young age. Truly, looking back, it’s mostly all a bunch of baloney and everything it says has caveats… but I️ liked the basic ideas: innovators>trendsetters>early adopters>consumers>laggards.
the main character is this lame “cool hunter” in brooklyn who works for an agency that then sells ideas to giant brands… it’s all very secretive and cool. each person who works from the agency has a separate area, which I️ thought was really cool. stuff like japanese street bikes and flash photography and graphic design magazines.
I️ really liked the theme of nyc youth stuff. Brain-washing cameras, new shoelace tying trends, mini-bottles of shampoo as party favors which secretly and permanently dyed your hair purple, rejectionist font designers, and burning a shoe that was too cool for the general consumers were all pretty cool ideas to me.
it’s a book that had stupidly an indescribable impact on me! my sister checked it out from the library long ago, and we left it on our porch as it rained, so we never had to return it. I’ve read it many times over. It’s a fine book but i’ll never be able to read and think it was as cool as when I️ first read it. ig most all books are like that.
This book was also typed in apple garamond. which is pretty funny because the author refuses to name any brands at all throughout the whole book, but then uses this font, which is one of the few branded ones out there
the main character is this lame “cool hunter” in brooklyn who works for an agency that then sells ideas to giant brands… it’s all very secretive and cool. each person who works from the agency has a separate area, which I️ thought was really cool. stuff like japanese street bikes and flash photography and graphic design magazines.
I️ really liked the theme of nyc youth stuff. Brain-washing cameras, new shoelace tying trends, mini-bottles of shampoo as party favors which secretly and permanently dyed your hair purple, rejectionist font designers, and burning a shoe that was too cool for the general consumers were all pretty cool ideas to me.
it’s a book that had stupidly an indescribable impact on me! my sister checked it out from the library long ago, and we left it on our porch as it rained, so we never had to return it. I’ve read it many times over. It’s a fine book but i’ll never be able to read and think it was as cool as when I️ first read it. ig most all books are like that.
This book was also typed in apple garamond. which is pretty funny because the author refuses to name any brands at all throughout the whole book, but then uses this font, which is one of the few branded ones out there
November 9, 2010
This is one of Westerfeld's earlier YA novels. That shows in the writing. So Yesterday lacks the fast pace, engaging characters and tight plot typical of the author's later YA books.
The too aptly named Hunter is a self-professed "cool hunter" - someone who seeks out the latest trends before they're trends. Hunter is employed by large corporations to pass on his finds and take part in focus groups so that those expensive marketing campaigns that keep the mega-corporations afloat don't fizzle. Hunter's rather mundane world takes a turn for the exciting when he meets Jen, an innovator who makes the trends rather than following them. Jen and Hunter stumble into a conspiracy to upset the marketing status-quot and restructure the cool pyramid as they investigate a possible kidnapping.
The book's characters are unique and memorable though some have a tendency to lean toward the cliche. Hunter and Jen are likable but they exist in a plot that isn't well fleshed out and lacks a lot of depth. Overall the book feels light and insubstantial - where's the story? This is a couple of incidents loosely held together without any compelling impetus or drive. Hunter and Jen sort of bounce along with the story and are still bouncing when we leave them - reacting to their world but not changing it and not wholly a part of it. This is definitely not Westerfeld's strongest work, but you can see traces of the novels that came later and were much, much better.
The too aptly named Hunter is a self-professed "cool hunter" - someone who seeks out the latest trends before they're trends. Hunter is employed by large corporations to pass on his finds and take part in focus groups so that those expensive marketing campaigns that keep the mega-corporations afloat don't fizzle. Hunter's rather mundane world takes a turn for the exciting when he meets Jen, an innovator who makes the trends rather than following them. Jen and Hunter stumble into a conspiracy to upset the marketing status-quot and restructure the cool pyramid as they investigate a possible kidnapping.
The book's characters are unique and memorable though some have a tendency to lean toward the cliche. Hunter and Jen are likable but they exist in a plot that isn't well fleshed out and lacks a lot of depth. Overall the book feels light and insubstantial - where's the story? This is a couple of incidents loosely held together without any compelling impetus or drive. Hunter and Jen sort of bounce along with the story and are still bouncing when we leave them - reacting to their world but not changing it and not wholly a part of it. This is definitely not Westerfeld's strongest work, but you can see traces of the novels that came later and were much, much better.
August 27, 2008
My first thought on reading this was: this is a novelization of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, with cool teen characters, and an over-the-top mystery involving super cool shoes and purple-dye sabotage!
Hunter is on the hunt for coolness and innovations, so when he sees Jen, with her skater style and her shoelaces woven in a way he's never seen before, he knows he's got an Innovator in his sites.
Hunter works for an agency that advises advertisers and companies on trends, recognizing them, and creating them artificially through ads, media events, and products.
He introduces Jen to concepts such as: Innovators who come up with new ideas, Trendsetters who spot the new, and make it cool, Logo Exiles who avoid all such trendiness, and Early Adopters who are the first to get any new technology.
We send coded messages with our clothes, hair, music, and slang.
But it's not just Hunter and the company he works for that has noticed how trend-setting works, and how it has been taken over by the media and big business. There is a guerilla group on the prowl, and they plan to bring the artificial network of trend-setting to its knees.
Too fantastic a plot to be believable, I still enjoyed it completely.
Hunter is on the hunt for coolness and innovations, so when he sees Jen, with her skater style and her shoelaces woven in a way he's never seen before, he knows he's got an Innovator in his sites.
Hunter works for an agency that advises advertisers and companies on trends, recognizing them, and creating them artificially through ads, media events, and products.
He introduces Jen to concepts such as: Innovators who come up with new ideas, Trendsetters who spot the new, and make it cool, Logo Exiles who avoid all such trendiness, and Early Adopters who are the first to get any new technology.
We send coded messages with our clothes, hair, music, and slang.
But it's not just Hunter and the company he works for that has noticed how trend-setting works, and how it has been taken over by the media and big business. There is a guerilla group on the prowl, and they plan to bring the artificial network of trend-setting to its knees.
Too fantastic a plot to be believable, I still enjoyed it completely.
January 1, 2018
A lot of years ago, I was in a book club, and we read some of Scott Westerfeld's books such as "Pretties", "Uglies", "Specials" and "Extra's." In looking at some of the books that were out there I came across "So Yesterday. I had no idea what this book was about. I like to take gambles occasionally and be surprised. Seventeen year old Hunter Braque works for a company in New York that specializes in 'cool tasting'. They watch advertisements for shoe companies and decide if it's cool or not.
He meets a girl named Jen, an Innovator (explained in the book), and she has some pretty cool lace designs on her shoes. He brings her to the tasting, and she speaks up on the commercial. His boss, Mandy, and everyone else liked what she said. Mandy calls Hunter to schedule a meeting in Chinatown, but she never shows up. They discover her cell phone in an abandoned derelict building, and they find something that made them think their eyes were deceitful.
"So Yesterday" takes you into the world of New York consumerism, and the fads of today and innovations of tomorrow. Scott Westerfeld again successfully lures the reader into a conspiracy of cool innovations and deceitful actions that leaves you hungry for more after each chapter. This book is a could read for anyone!
He meets a girl named Jen, an Innovator (explained in the book), and she has some pretty cool lace designs on her shoes. He brings her to the tasting, and she speaks up on the commercial. His boss, Mandy, and everyone else liked what she said. Mandy calls Hunter to schedule a meeting in Chinatown, but she never shows up. They discover her cell phone in an abandoned derelict building, and they find something that made them think their eyes were deceitful.
"So Yesterday" takes you into the world of New York consumerism, and the fads of today and innovations of tomorrow. Scott Westerfeld again successfully lures the reader into a conspiracy of cool innovations and deceitful actions that leaves you hungry for more after each chapter. This book is a could read for anyone!
November 15, 2011
I really don't get what people think is so great about this book. Yes, the plot was unique, but it was also just rather odd. I didn't get what was so important about it and I didn't like the characters all that much. It seemed sort of superficial. I guess I just don't give a crap about shoes.
March 10, 2009
Let's talk about the cool pyramid.
At the zenith, we have the Innovators. These are the first ones to do something new - rock a backwards baseball cap, get two piercings in one ear, wear boots on the outside of their pants. "When you meet them, most Innovators don't look that cool, not in the sense of fashionable, anyway. There's always something off about them. Like they're uncomfortable with the world."
At the next level reside the Trendsetters. They are the second in line to follow a new trend. They usually watch out for innovations so they can make 'em spread, because they are usually watched by the 'regular people.' "Unlike the Innovators, they are cool, so when they pick up an innovation, it becomes cool. A Trendsetter's most important job is gatekeeper, the filter that separates out real Innovators from those crazy people wearing garbage bags."
Below, we have the Early Adopters, the first people with a new item - "they test and tweak the trend, softening the edges." Vital difference between these and the Trendsetters: "Early Adopters saw their stuff in a magazine first, not on the street."
Further down, the Consumers. "The people who have to see a product on TV, placed in two movies, fifteen magazine ads, and on a giant rack in the mall before saying, 'Hey, that's pretty cool.' At which point it's not."
Rounding out the bottom are the Laggards. "Proud in their mullets and feathered-back hair, they resist all change since they got out of high school."
Where do you rank?
Follow Hunter, a Trendsetter in New York City, as he meets Jen, an Innovator, stereotypical to the description. They get involved in a mystery, trying to find who's behind the plot to unravel the cool pyramid as we know it.
Intriguing story - it will definitely make you look at "cool" in a whole new light.
At the zenith, we have the Innovators. These are the first ones to do something new - rock a backwards baseball cap, get two piercings in one ear, wear boots on the outside of their pants. "When you meet them, most Innovators don't look that cool, not in the sense of fashionable, anyway. There's always something off about them. Like they're uncomfortable with the world."
At the next level reside the Trendsetters. They are the second in line to follow a new trend. They usually watch out for innovations so they can make 'em spread, because they are usually watched by the 'regular people.' "Unlike the Innovators, they are cool, so when they pick up an innovation, it becomes cool. A Trendsetter's most important job is gatekeeper, the filter that separates out real Innovators from those crazy people wearing garbage bags."
Below, we have the Early Adopters, the first people with a new item - "they test and tweak the trend, softening the edges." Vital difference between these and the Trendsetters: "Early Adopters saw their stuff in a magazine first, not on the street."
Further down, the Consumers. "The people who have to see a product on TV, placed in two movies, fifteen magazine ads, and on a giant rack in the mall before saying, 'Hey, that's pretty cool.' At which point it's not."
Rounding out the bottom are the Laggards. "Proud in their mullets and feathered-back hair, they resist all change since they got out of high school."
Where do you rank?
Follow Hunter, a Trendsetter in New York City, as he meets Jen, an Innovator, stereotypical to the description. They get involved in a mystery, trying to find who's behind the plot to unravel the cool pyramid as we know it.
Intriguing story - it will definitely make you look at "cool" in a whole new light.
May 10, 2011
This was really, really good. Infact, I was considering this as maybe one of my favorites...maybe this is one of Scott Westerfelds best books?
That was until the last 50 pages or so...then it went downhill. The final twist, the gripping conclusion to the mystery...was dumb. And confusing! It was totally ridiculous, and ruined the book for me.
Also, the characters seemed pretty flat...not greatly developed, at all.
And the writing! You can tell this is Scott Westerfeld just learning his chops in the YA field, it definitely has echos of his humor and wit, but whilst this is VERY easy to read, the writing is all over the place.
I would recommend this for existing Westerfeld fans...If you're new to this author, start with Uglies or Peeps
That was until the last 50 pages or so...then it went downhill. The final twist, the gripping conclusion to the mystery...was dumb. And confusing! It was totally ridiculous, and ruined the book for me.
Also, the characters seemed pretty flat...not greatly developed, at all.
And the writing! You can tell this is Scott Westerfeld just learning his chops in the YA field, it definitely has echos of his humor and wit, but whilst this is VERY easy to read, the writing is all over the place.
I would recommend this for existing Westerfeld fans...If you're new to this author, start with Uglies or Peeps
January 11, 2019
I love this, just it was very hard to track what was going on sometimes.
March 21, 2016
Why did it have to be about shoes? Really, the whole shoe thing is just not one I ever understood (not that I understand much about trends and fashion). But this is a great book that creates an interesting (and probably fairly accurate) scenario about how trends get started, how they spread, and why they seem to come and go so quickly.
But what if there's a group that's trying to undo the work of all the marketers and trendsetters (these would clearly be my people)? Are they the anti-cool? What if they themselves somehow become cool? This is the premise of Westerfeld's book. When Hunter (a Trendsetter) discovers the ultimate shoes in an abandoned building in Chinatown, he's determined to find out where they come from and whether they have anything to do with his boss's disappearance (her phone was found in the same building, but nobody seems to know where she is). What he learns about the "cool pyramid" and it's relationship to revolutionary France makes him re-evaluate his own status as a Trendsetter. It also gave me a lot of food for thought on the subject.
But what if there's a group that's trying to undo the work of all the marketers and trendsetters (these would clearly be my people)? Are they the anti-cool? What if they themselves somehow become cool? This is the premise of Westerfeld's book. When Hunter (a Trendsetter) discovers the ultimate shoes in an abandoned building in Chinatown, he's determined to find out where they come from and whether they have anything to do with his boss's disappearance (her phone was found in the same building, but nobody seems to know where she is). What he learns about the "cool pyramid" and it's relationship to revolutionary France makes him re-evaluate his own status as a Trendsetter. It also gave me a lot of food for thought on the subject.
July 13, 2018
2.5
Scott Westerfeld is one of my favorite authors, but I could definitely tell this was one of his earlier works. The concept of the story itself was interesting, but the delivery overall was mediocre. I didn't find myself very invested into the characters. And to be honest, I'm still not totally sure when this whole thing takes place.
Scott Westerfeld is one of my favorite authors, but I could definitely tell this was one of his earlier works. The concept of the story itself was interesting, but the delivery overall was mediocre. I didn't find myself very invested into the characters. And to be honest, I'm still not totally sure when this whole thing takes place.
January 16, 2016
Not one of his better books. However it does shed a seriously sad light on what the future of our world will most likely look like. Especially if the next generation is in charge.
Read
February 1, 2020hilariously, charmingly dated. somehow simultaneously shockingly prescient
October 5, 2023
This book… I just don’t know what to think. At some points, it’s a silly/cringy thing reminiscent of Spy Kids or Lemony Snickett’s writing. But Snickett can pull it off, and Scott Westerfield just doesn’t do so well. Snickett’s “All The Wrong Questions” series are some of my comfort books, and this felt like a cheap copy of that (ignore the release dates lol)
The characters are supposed to be seventeen, but really act like twelve year olds for 95% of the time. Some more serious scenes are decent, but they seem out of place, and they feel so forced.
It’s definitely not the exciting mystery I was led to believe. I guess it was an okay book to pass some time, but whyyy?
Also, their absolute emotional and impacted reaction to SHOES?!? It’s so obscure and that scene made me cringe so hard I almost didn’t go further. Usually that pays off, but not in this case.
The plot was such a great idea, but not executed well in the least.
The characters are supposed to be seventeen, but really act like twelve year olds for 95% of the time. Some more serious scenes are decent, but they seem out of place, and they feel so forced.
It’s definitely not the exciting mystery I was led to believe. I guess it was an okay book to pass some time, but whyyy?
Also, their absolute emotional and impacted reaction to SHOES?!? It’s so obscure and that scene made me cringe so hard I almost didn’t go further. Usually that pays off, but not in this case.
The plot was such a great idea, but not executed well in the least.
January 1, 2023
3.5/5 stars, but I enjoyed the book enough to round up
I wasn't really sure what I was getting into, even after reading the blurb on the back, so I was mostly surprised by what happened in this story, and I thought the concept was pretty cool. It reminded me a lot of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, and I saw a lot of the same concepts from that book.
What I liked: The majority of the plot, the uniqueness
What was okay: The characters
What I thought could be improved: The ending
I will say that it is interesting to read this book since it predates Westerfeld's Uglies series, which is his most popular, and you can start to see his writing style and genre of writing develop in this book. By now, I've read some of Westerfeld's earliest novels and some of his more recent ones, and he's still one of my favorite authors that I will definitely continue reading from.
I wasn't really sure what I was getting into, even after reading the blurb on the back, so I was mostly surprised by what happened in this story, and I thought the concept was pretty cool. It reminded me a lot of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, and I saw a lot of the same concepts from that book.
What I liked: The majority of the plot, the uniqueness
What was okay: The characters
What I thought could be improved: The ending
I will say that it is interesting to read this book since it predates Westerfeld's Uglies series, which is his most popular, and you can start to see his writing style and genre of writing develop in this book. By now, I've read some of Westerfeld's earliest novels and some of his more recent ones, and he's still one of my favorite authors that I will definitely continue reading from.
December 15, 2025
For a book written in 2004 that relies on pop culture references, the concept weirdly holds up today and is frankly quite relatable. The overarching commentary on how trends cycle through society is still true, and is interesting in comparison to microtrends that are so common today. Also the frequent analogies between how trends spread and pandemics spread is a weird correlation to have been made in 2004, though it makes complete sense for the 2020 era. The vibes of this book are 2020, and I will not explain further. Essentially reading this book with a 2025 lens with the current culture of Tik Tok, microtrends, and overconsumption, compared to the social hierarchy that is used within the book, it still works and is pretty accurate, which is impressive?
The technology in this book dates it though, most notably their cell phones with antennas, and with the highest new tech of having a camera and taking poor quality photos... it shows age. Though it really wasn't that bad and didn't take away from the book that much.
I do not know if this is supposed to be a dystopian future, but dare I say it predicts the future somewhat accurately. At least up till now.
I fear all the sci-fi and social commentary analyses I had to do in English class are showing here. Anyways a Good Quote:
"It's unsettling when Google doesn't work." -> Very true lol.
The technology in this book dates it though, most notably their cell phones with antennas, and with the highest new tech of having a camera and taking poor quality photos... it shows age. Though it really wasn't that bad and didn't take away from the book that much.
I do not know if this is supposed to be a dystopian future, but dare I say it predicts the future somewhat accurately. At least up till now.
I fear all the sci-fi and social commentary analyses I had to do in English class are showing here. Anyways a Good Quote:
"It's unsettling when Google doesn't work." -> Very true lol.
September 9, 2018
I had so much fun listening to this book. The story was fast paced and the characters were a lot of fun. I did feel like the plot kind of lost my interest the last couple of chapters. Maybe if I understood economics and trends a bit more? Still. Enjoyable and quick.
Read
March 23, 2018This book is a excellent book for readers who enjoy reading mysteries. There is a great twist in this book and the author hooks the reader constantly. Who knew how important these shoes really are?
March 6, 2022
This book looked interesting, but I was disappointed that (like Uglies, the only other Scott Westerville book I've read) it didn't live up to its potential. The characters didn't have sufficient motivation to do the things they did, and the villains seemed no different from the heroes. As a result, the story was confusing and hard to follow.
June 8, 2012
I listened to this on audiobook, and I'll rate that the reader was decent. Nothing bad but nothing truly exciting either. Made me wish books words made into radio serials with multiple actors.
The book itself was decent. It was funny in most places. And had the sarcasm and jeering that a teen would have. I didn't expect it to be a mystery (I admit I chose it without knowing what it was about, but simply because it was an audiobook and was easily available to borrow) so that was interesting. Teens investigating something is a fun concept because you know their resources are limited and they aren't taken seriously by adults, so you hope that they achieve above average feats. The plot was interesting because it was a part of society I wasn't familiar with - big businesses consulting teens on pre-launch and commercials and "cool-hunters" and "innovators," or people who break the trend and march to their own beat and influence others inadvertently. I liked it up until the points where the theory about "cool" and the corporations deciding what's cool for us were really approached. I'm not a fan of big-business and it's affect on American culture and morals, so this part really turned me off. I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, besides to be an innovator yourself. I guess that's an important theme for teens, and that's what they think about. The book did have that benefit: reminding me how important it was to be cool when you were a teen, so you could impress everyone - and now as an adult it's more to claim your independence from others thought, or just to impress those that are close to you. The emphasis on being a predetermined "cool" is what made me give the story two stars though. I didn't think there was much for teens to learn from it. Relatable, yes, but not very redeeming in its value to make up for the frequent language or materialism.
Warnings:
Sex - nope. Puppy love.
Violence - nope. The protagonists are chased by a scary looking bald guy in a dark building. Sadly that's the most exciting part of the book.
Language - a lot of taking the Lord's name in vain. Some other farmer's curse words. But too much of the former for me to be completely comfortable.
The book itself was decent. It was funny in most places. And had the sarcasm and jeering that a teen would have. I didn't expect it to be a mystery (I admit I chose it without knowing what it was about, but simply because it was an audiobook and was easily available to borrow) so that was interesting. Teens investigating something is a fun concept because you know their resources are limited and they aren't taken seriously by adults, so you hope that they achieve above average feats. The plot was interesting because it was a part of society I wasn't familiar with - big businesses consulting teens on pre-launch and commercials and "cool-hunters" and "innovators," or people who break the trend and march to their own beat and influence others inadvertently. I liked it up until the points where the theory about "cool" and the corporations deciding what's cool for us were really approached. I'm not a fan of big-business and it's affect on American culture and morals, so this part really turned me off. I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, besides to be an innovator yourself. I guess that's an important theme for teens, and that's what they think about. The book did have that benefit: reminding me how important it was to be cool when you were a teen, so you could impress everyone - and now as an adult it's more to claim your independence from others thought, or just to impress those that are close to you. The emphasis on being a predetermined "cool" is what made me give the story two stars though. I didn't think there was much for teens to learn from it. Relatable, yes, but not very redeeming in its value to make up for the frequent language or materialism.
Warnings:
Sex - nope. Puppy love.
Violence - nope. The protagonists are chased by a scary looking bald guy in a dark building. Sadly that's the most exciting part of the book.
Language - a lot of taking the Lord's name in vain. Some other farmer's curse words. But too much of the former for me to be completely comfortable.
August 25, 2016
The premise of this story was a little ridiculous, but with Scott Westerfeld behind it it was well executed.
17-year-old Hunter is a professional "cool-hunter" (only now, am I noticing the humor of his name). Companies pay him and give him free products in return for his participation in focus groups where he gives them feedback on their advertising. He spends his summer days out on the New York City streets searching for the next coolest things and sending pictures of street fashion to his boss, Mandy. This is how he meets Jen, an attractive innovator with a talent for tying her shoelaces in unique ways. After documenting her shoelaces, Hunter invites Jen into the cool-hunting world. But when Mandy suddenly goes missing, Hunter and Jen must team up to find her.
The entire plot is motivated by Hunter's crush on Jen--he follows her into risky situations, she comes up with clever plans, and she always knows where to find trouble--but their romance is sweet and fun, and doesn't feel too much like a tired old trope. Awkward and a little nerdy, Hunter is constantly amusing the reader with an onslaught of random trivia--part of his nature as a watcher and information-collector. Jen is spunky and impulsive, a risk-taker who lures Hunter into situations he wouldn't otherwise be in. The other characters come off a bit as caricatures, but were still enjoyable to read about, particularly Tiffany Hyphen.
I hate to say it though, but So Yesterday is now a little....well....yesterday. Such things are bound to happen to books that rely on pop culture references and in which current technology features prominently. As the book was originally published in 2005, the characters are constantly marveling over new, advanced cellphones that can take pictures! And the light of the screen can even serve as a flashlight! It made me realize how quickly we've become accustomed to the world of smartphones--but sense of datedness kind of diminished the excitement of these passages.
Overall, it was a fun read. Certainly not Scot Westerfeld's best, but definitely a great audiobook to listen to while doing menial tasks at work.
17-year-old Hunter is a professional "cool-hunter" (only now, am I noticing the humor of his name). Companies pay him and give him free products in return for his participation in focus groups where he gives them feedback on their advertising. He spends his summer days out on the New York City streets searching for the next coolest things and sending pictures of street fashion to his boss, Mandy. This is how he meets Jen, an attractive innovator with a talent for tying her shoelaces in unique ways. After documenting her shoelaces, Hunter invites Jen into the cool-hunting world. But when Mandy suddenly goes missing, Hunter and Jen must team up to find her.
The entire plot is motivated by Hunter's crush on Jen--he follows her into risky situations, she comes up with clever plans, and she always knows where to find trouble--but their romance is sweet and fun, and doesn't feel too much like a tired old trope. Awkward and a little nerdy, Hunter is constantly amusing the reader with an onslaught of random trivia--part of his nature as a watcher and information-collector. Jen is spunky and impulsive, a risk-taker who lures Hunter into situations he wouldn't otherwise be in. The other characters come off a bit as caricatures, but were still enjoyable to read about, particularly Tiffany Hyphen.
I hate to say it though, but So Yesterday is now a little....well....yesterday. Such things are bound to happen to books that rely on pop culture references and in which current technology features prominently. As the book was originally published in 2005, the characters are constantly marveling over new, advanced cellphones that can take pictures! And the light of the screen can even serve as a flashlight! It made me realize how quickly we've become accustomed to the world of smartphones--but sense of datedness kind of diminished the excitement of these passages.
Overall, it was a fun read. Certainly not Scot Westerfeld's best, but definitely a great audiobook to listen to while doing menial tasks at work.
February 17, 2014
Any book that has an escapade is a good book as far as I'm concerned, so of course I liked this one. Hunter the Cool Hunter (yes really, meh) is near the top of the trendy social pyramid. He's paid to find the newest trends, and bring them back to a marketing company who evaluates them, then sends them down to the next level of "cool" (the trendsetters). Hunter spots an innovative way to lace a pair of sneakers, and makes friends with the shoes' owner, Jen. When Hunter brings Jen to a focus group to evaluate a commercial for its "coolness"," Jen is skeptical of the whole process. But she still agrees to meet Hunter and his boss Mandy the next day. But Mandy doesn't show, and they find her phone nearby in an empty building--with the coolest sneakers either of them have ever seen. Hunter and Jen set out to find Mandy and solve the mystery, with hilarious results.
Some of the names & terms were almost dorky, totally the opposite of cool. But I think we can chalk that up to being a 10 year old book (holy crap, yeah, published in 2004). And Hunter and his compatriots were really just cool nerds, which made me like it a little more, actually. Looking forward to reading the Uglies series next!
Some of the names & terms were almost dorky, totally the opposite of cool. But I think we can chalk that up to being a 10 year old book (holy crap, yeah, published in 2004). And Hunter and his compatriots were really just cool nerds, which made me like it a little more, actually. Looking forward to reading the Uglies series next!
January 6, 2010
Ok so what can I say. This book was a combination of a mystery and a love story with a teenage twist. I enjoyed parts of the book mainly when the chapter was left at a cliffhanger but some of it was vey poorly written or thought through I feel. The fact that the author wrote about certain product without using its name directly although we all knew was he was talking about was very irritating.
The scene at the party where the underage characters got drunk I found a bit hard to read through it's not that I am a saint or anythig but I feel if adult authors that our kids look up to develop storyline that make it seem acceptable for our kids to drink and do other illegal things like steal cars ehat does it tell us about the world we live in. As a mom to a ten year old boy and step-mom to a thirteen year old girl I would have to discuss this with my kids before they read this book.
I feel that all parents should make an effort to keep up with some of the trends of what infulence our kids because of we are blinded by what our kids are reading and watching or even playing we are only fooling ourselves.
The scene at the party where the underage characters got drunk I found a bit hard to read through it's not that I am a saint or anythig but I feel if adult authors that our kids look up to develop storyline that make it seem acceptable for our kids to drink and do other illegal things like steal cars ehat does it tell us about the world we live in. As a mom to a ten year old boy and step-mom to a thirteen year old girl I would have to discuss this with my kids before they read this book.
I feel that all parents should make an effort to keep up with some of the trends of what infulence our kids because of we are blinded by what our kids are reading and watching or even playing we are only fooling ourselves.
June 26, 2010
Update: After a rereading and think of this novel non-stop I've change it from a 4 star to a 5 star. Yep, that happened! ;)
I loved this novel!!! Witty, fast-paced, and unique it had me hooked the whole time, I just couldn't put it down, nor could I figure it out.
Seventeen year old Hunter is a Trendsetter a person who looks for Innovators and their latest new-to-the-world never-been-done-before fashions. He meets Jen (an Innovator & Logo Exile ) and finds himself compelled to invite her to a "tasting" or focus group on the client's newest project. When Jen says something creative at the meeting, Hunter's fellow Trendsetters and his boss (Mandy) are thrown. This one seemingly minor moment throws Hunter's world into chaos and soon he and Jen are running for their lives.
A great mystery, while at the same time a thought-provoking look at advertising and trends, So Yesterday is a fun read that will make you lulz, fall in love with the cutie Hunter, and get you thinking. I would definitely recommend this novel to just about everyone.
I loved this novel!!! Witty, fast-paced, and unique it had me hooked the whole time, I just couldn't put it down, nor could I figure it out.
Seventeen year old Hunter is a Trendsetter a person who looks for Innovators and their latest new-to-the-world never-been-done-before fashions. He meets Jen (an Innovator & Logo Exile ) and finds himself compelled to invite her to a "tasting" or focus group on the client's newest project. When Jen says something creative at the meeting, Hunter's fellow Trendsetters and his boss (Mandy) are thrown. This one seemingly minor moment throws Hunter's world into chaos and soon he and Jen are running for their lives.
A great mystery, while at the same time a thought-provoking look at advertising and trends, So Yesterday is a fun read that will make you lulz, fall in love with the cutie Hunter, and get you thinking. I would definitely recommend this novel to just about everyone.
June 5, 2007
Huh. This book has almost exactly the same plot as PopCo, which is odd, because I didn’t pick up either book because I was interested in the subject—secret societies banding together to sabotage large corporations and dilute the evil brainwashing of marketing campaigns—I was curious about the authors. Anyway, So Yesterday focuses on teenagers in New York as opposed to twentysomethings in England, and it’s about shoes (specifically Nike, although it’s always referred to as ‘The Client’) rather than toys. And really, it works its subject better than PopCo did, because it’s much more focused (and doesn’t do so much info dumping at the end). Westerfeld is really good at creating interesting characters and putting them in exciting situations, and this works very well as a one-off.
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