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What Things Mean
FOR OLIVE GUERRERO, DIFFERENT IS MORE THAN JUST A WORD.
What does it mean to be different? 14-year-old Olive is struggling to find out. Everything about her is so different from the rest of her family. She is big-haired, brown skinned, and clumsy in a family of cream-colored beauties who are all popular and Good At Sports. She closely resembles a father she has never known, and about whom her mother never speaks, and no one wants to tell her why. She turns to books and other things in her quest to find answers, and as a way to cope with her loneliness. When she learns the truth about her father, she must decide whether or not she will let the differences in her life define her forever.
A unique coming-of-age story unfolding through dictionary-style chapters, What Things Mean takes a closer look at the things that define a life, and the many ways in which we find meaning.
*Grand Prize Winner, Scholastic Asian Book Award 2014
What does it mean to be different? 14-year-old Olive is struggling to find out. Everything about her is so different from the rest of her family. She is big-haired, brown skinned, and clumsy in a family of cream-colored beauties who are all popular and Good At Sports. She closely resembles a father she has never known, and about whom her mother never speaks, and no one wants to tell her why. She turns to books and other things in her quest to find answers, and as a way to cope with her loneliness. When she learns the truth about her father, she must decide whether or not she will let the differences in her life define her forever.
A unique coming-of-age story unfolding through dictionary-style chapters, What Things Mean takes a closer look at the things that define a life, and the many ways in which we find meaning.
*Grand Prize Winner, Scholastic Asian Book Award 2014
133 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2016
8 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Sophia N. Lee
4 books33 followersSophia N. Lee wanted to be many things growing up: doctor, teacher, ballerina, ninja, crime-fighting international spy, wizard, time traveler, journalist, and lawyer. She likes to think she can be all these things through writing. She loves words and the meanings behind them. Her favorite word is 'chance'. What Things Mean is her first book. She lives in Manila, Philippines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 17, 2016
"I know now that things are always more than what they mean. Things mean different things to people. People are the ones who give meaning to things."
4 Meaningful Stars!
For most us, searching for the meaning of a particular word in the dictionary is as easy as looking for a certain thing that is missing in our room. For our 14 year-old heroine Olive Guerrero, however, it's not about that. Every time she runs into a particular word or thing, she contemplates its meaning on the deeper side and not just on its literal definition.
Olive grew up in a Filipino community, embracing its beautiful tradition and way of living. All throughout her childhood, she didn't have any knowledge who her father is because every time she asks her mom about him, her mom would just dodge her question and wouldn't talk about him. At home and in her school, she's also aware that she's quite different especially when it comes to her physicality. She often even wonders why she doesn't share the same traits with her cousins. These things lead to a lot of questions in her mind and bring us to her beautiful perspective.
Reading this book felt like living in a teenager's foot again. It was simply refreshing. I was once an Olive Guerrero. In my younger years I was so curious about a lot of things. But of course, Olive is a lot more enthusiastic than I am because she focuses on the certain things' relevance to her life. On what they do to her and what they make her feel. She's an old soul living in a 14 year-old body and for that, she has my admiration.
What Things Mean was simply a sensible book and I think every teenagers need to read this. It teaches life lessons and more importantly, it tackles the importance of family relationships and ties. I loved that the concept also focuses on the traditional Filipino values which for me is quite comforting.
"Don't be afraid to fall down. Most of the big things in life are on the other side of hurt."
I especially loved how Olive learned a lot of things from her relatives. I think she's lucky more than she'll ever know because despite the absence of her father, she has a supportive mom, uncle, and grandmother and her relationship with her cousins is great, so it's not so bad at all. As a whole, I did enjoy this book. It was a quick read with relatable characters. The setting, which is my homeland, also makes me feel proud of this book. I can also say that the author, who is a Fellow Filipina, writes incredibly. Her words are so smooth and so easy to get into. I highly recommend this book to all the youngsters who are looking for a wholesome read!
(Thank you to the author Sophia N. Lee and Scholastic for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!)
May 17, 2024
Copy provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ms. Sophia Lee and Scholastic!
Olive Guerrero is a 14 year old girl who is struggling to be different. Her physical appearance is different from her family and there are moments she feels left out. She's a brown skinned, asthmatic girl whereas her family is cream colored and sporty. As Olive grows, she seeks for answers why she is different and wonders where her father is. She never met him and she wants to meet him, maybe she'll find answers.
This is a really great YA book that touches Filipino cultures and self-discovery. I really like the simplicity of the writing style. Each chapter begins with a word from a dictionary and its significance to Olive's story. Her story is genuine and i can't help feeling her emotions as pages goes by. I like it when a book made me feel that. Overall, this is pretty an enjoyable book.
Olive Guerrero is a 14 year old girl who is struggling to be different. Her physical appearance is different from her family and there are moments she feels left out. She's a brown skinned, asthmatic girl whereas her family is cream colored and sporty. As Olive grows, she seeks for answers why she is different and wonders where her father is. She never met him and she wants to meet him, maybe she'll find answers.
This is a really great YA book that touches Filipino cultures and self-discovery. I really like the simplicity of the writing style. Each chapter begins with a word from a dictionary and its significance to Olive's story. Her story is genuine and i can't help feeling her emotions as pages goes by. I like it when a book made me feel that. Overall, this is pretty an enjoyable book.
July 23, 2016
Each chapter has highlighted words which have been really important parts of the story. Words that played a huge role in Olive's life.
Filipino cultures and traditions were mentioned in the book, and it made me love it more since I'm a Filipino citizen but to be honest, I don't know much of our country. Shame on me. So thank you, Sophia for the additional information.
I still can't understand how a hundred-paged book managed to be so simple yet complex. A girl who feels so different, one who seeks to find answers, but the answers aren't always what you wanted or expected them to be.
Sophia N. Lee has this writing style that's really modest, I can easily delve into it. I'm proud to say that Sophia's a Filipina! Visit her website and read her "What it Means for me to Read and Write as a Filipino"
Overall, we'd be more than happy if everyone, mostly Filipino readers will read this book!
Filipino cultures and traditions were mentioned in the book, and it made me love it more since I'm a Filipino citizen but to be honest, I don't know much of our country. Shame on me. So thank you, Sophia for the additional information.
I still can't understand how a hundred-paged book managed to be so simple yet complex. A girl who feels so different, one who seeks to find answers, but the answers aren't always what you wanted or expected them to be.
Sophia N. Lee has this writing style that's really modest, I can easily delve into it. I'm proud to say that Sophia's a Filipina! Visit her website and read her "What it Means for me to Read and Write as a Filipino"
Overall, we'd be more than happy if everyone, mostly Filipino readers will read this book!
December 14, 2017
3.5 stars
Usually, books with less than 200 pages have really rushed plots. However, this short book turned out to be really sweet and it was not rushed at all!
At first, I didn't know the book was set in Manila. It was published by Scholastic Singapore, so I thought the setting was Singapore. I have never read a book set in the Philippines, and I found it very refreshing.
I really liked reading Olive's story. She's fourteen years old - we're the same age, so I felt some kind of connection to her. She's insecure about her appearance. She looks different from her other family members, and always feels like she doesn't fit in. I just want to step into the pages of the book and give her a big hug!
The author included definitions of words related to Olive's life in between chapters and I've never seen that in a book before. It's so unique and I loved how that turned out.
Final thoughts
Loved this. However, I felt that the part where Olive meets her father could be longer? Would recommend this to fans of middle-grade fiction and coming-of-age stories.
Usually, books with less than 200 pages have really rushed plots. However, this short book turned out to be really sweet and it was not rushed at all!
At first, I didn't know the book was set in Manila. It was published by Scholastic Singapore, so I thought the setting was Singapore. I have never read a book set in the Philippines, and I found it very refreshing.
I really liked reading Olive's story. She's fourteen years old - we're the same age, so I felt some kind of connection to her. She's insecure about her appearance. She looks different from her other family members, and always feels like she doesn't fit in. I just want to step into the pages of the book and give her a big hug!
The author included definitions of words related to Olive's life in between chapters and I've never seen that in a book before. It's so unique and I loved how that turned out.
Final thoughts
Loved this. However, I felt that the part where Olive meets her father could be longer? Would recommend this to fans of middle-grade fiction and coming-of-age stories.
May 9, 2016
A literary story about a girl trying to find her place in her family and wondering about the father she's never had. Told in dictionary entries and a touching narrative, What Things Mean aptly reflects Filipino culture and the struggles of understanding one's self, family and life.
July 20, 2016
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
When Sophia Lee sent me an email regarding this book, I was immediately on board because I love supporting Filipino authors. I didn't know if I would like the story, but it seemed pretty interesting to me. I felt excited to be reading a contemporary novel by a Filipino author. But then I read it and boom! It's one of the most amazing books I've ever read and I would read anything that Sophia Lee writes in the future.
What Things Mean is written in a way that each chapter starts with definitions of a certain word that would be relevant in the chapter. It follows Olive, a fourteen-year-old girl who feels different from her family. Only she has dark skin and likes pickles in her family, and she thinks that her father might be the source of the difference. However, the thing is, no one in her family is willing to tell her about who he is.
What Things Mean is written in such a beautiful way. There were so many notable quotes that I had a fear that I would ran out of sticky tabs (I put sticky tabs when I find a nice quote). Another amazing thing about this book is how I've never been in the situation of the main character, but I definitely felt everything that was narrated in the story. Tagos talaga sa puso, grabe!
I really think that this is the type of book that should be made into book reports. I think that those in high school would really be able to appreciate this one because it's easy to understand but at the same time it's also very meaningful. Everyone is sure to find a quote or two that would be relevant in his/her life. Plus, this book is a quick read, although it's also a book that's meant to be savored and taken in slowly.
Another thing I enjoyed is reading about the Filipino culture within the pages. Every time I saw things like chocnut or adobo, I smiled because it's rare that I get to read something that's not literary fiction with references to Filipino culture. I'm actually not actually Filipino myself, but I was born and grew up here, so this is the culture that I know and love.
I really, really loved this book, more so than I first thought I would. This book deserves to be read by everyone, especially Filipino youth. It's so meaningful yet concise at the same time, so there would be no room for boredom. I definitely recommend this!
Thank you Sophia Lee and Scholastics for providing me a copy of this novel!
When Sophia Lee sent me an email regarding this book, I was immediately on board because I love supporting Filipino authors. I didn't know if I would like the story, but it seemed pretty interesting to me. I felt excited to be reading a contemporary novel by a Filipino author. But then I read it and boom! It's one of the most amazing books I've ever read and I would read anything that Sophia Lee writes in the future.
"Maybe, that's how it's meant to be. Maybe we all have to let go of things, and people, in order to keep our balance. Maybe that's the only way to keep moving forward."
What Things Mean is written in a way that each chapter starts with definitions of a certain word that would be relevant in the chapter. It follows Olive, a fourteen-year-old girl who feels different from her family. Only she has dark skin and likes pickles in her family, and she thinks that her father might be the source of the difference. However, the thing is, no one in her family is willing to tell her about who he is.
"Maybe she's trying to understand how, in the space of a minute, something can turn from a thing that fulfills you entirely to something that empties you out."
What Things Mean is written in such a beautiful way. There were so many notable quotes that I had a fear that I would ran out of sticky tabs (I put sticky tabs when I find a nice quote). Another amazing thing about this book is how I've never been in the situation of the main character, but I definitely felt everything that was narrated in the story. Tagos talaga sa puso, grabe!
"Light always remains. The world turns, and days pass, and the sun warms the places that need it. Maybe that is how it is with everything else. Things go where they are needed, and when they do, we simply learn how to live without them."
I really think that this is the type of book that should be made into book reports. I think that those in high school would really be able to appreciate this one because it's easy to understand but at the same time it's also very meaningful. Everyone is sure to find a quote or two that would be relevant in his/her life. Plus, this book is a quick read, although it's also a book that's meant to be savored and taken in slowly.
"I was always going to be somewhere, stepping over some line. We all were - even if we didn't want to admit it. There was only forward or backward, and an infinite line of changes either way."
Another thing I enjoyed is reading about the Filipino culture within the pages. Every time I saw things like chocnut or adobo, I smiled because it's rare that I get to read something that's not literary fiction with references to Filipino culture. I'm actually not actually Filipino myself, but I was born and grew up here, so this is the culture that I know and love.
"I know now that things are always more than what they mean. Things mean different things to people. People are the ones who give meaning to things."
I really, really loved this book, more so than I first thought I would. This book deserves to be read by everyone, especially Filipino youth. It's so meaningful yet concise at the same time, so there would be no room for boredom. I definitely recommend this!
Thank you Sophia Lee and Scholastics for providing me a copy of this novel!
July 9, 2016
Read this review on my website: http://www.disguisedcyclone.com/2016/...
What Things Mean | noun
1. 2014 Asian Book Award winner
2. A young adult book written by Sophia N. Lee
3. A novel that uses special words to define the life of Olive, a fourteen-year-old who is, well, different
4. A story-within-stories that is set in the streets of Metro Manila, Philippines
Olive had always known that she's different from everyone else. However, she had long discovered how to cope with that with a few books, some clippings, and, of course, pickles. But one thing still troubles her. Who exactly is her father? Why won't anyone talk to her about him? Is he the reason why she is so different?
This book features a number of stories that have a similar thread: Olive's journey into discovering who she is in the little things that make up her life, like bristles, stamps, forks, and mirrors. In each story, there is a pronounced yearning not only of a reason for her oddness, but also a cry for a man she may call Dad. Sometimes a little funny, sometimes a little sad, each story takes us into the colorful life of a quiet soul who has never known what it feels like to have an ever-present father.
What Things Mean touched me in many ways, and honestly left me with a few tears. As someone who grew up in Manila (and has learned to love this old metropolis), I liked how real each scene was to me, from the long queues for transportation, to the friendliness of neighbors in my own neighborhood. The stories in themselves reminded me of my own concerns and worries when I was younger, especially since I myself was an introverted girl who found my solace in books.
Each word on each page also made me remember my own little anxieties and relish the kind of thinking I had while growing up. Moreover, the storyline pulled on my heartstrings, as I know how it felt like to lose a parental figure growing up, and how it felt like to have my heart patched, mended, and made somewhat complete again when I came to terms with my personal history.
I enjoyed this book, and I'd gladly recommend it to anyone searching for themselves and their own unknown stories, no matter what age they may be. After all, things mean different meanings to people, and even if we aren't perfect people, maybe we too will discover someday that we've done something right for ourselves.
What Things Mean | noun
1. 2014 Asian Book Award winner
2. A young adult book written by Sophia N. Lee
3. A novel that uses special words to define the life of Olive, a fourteen-year-old who is, well, different
4. A story-within-stories that is set in the streets of Metro Manila, Philippines
Olive had always known that she's different from everyone else. However, she had long discovered how to cope with that with a few books, some clippings, and, of course, pickles. But one thing still troubles her. Who exactly is her father? Why won't anyone talk to her about him? Is he the reason why she is so different?
This book features a number of stories that have a similar thread: Olive's journey into discovering who she is in the little things that make up her life, like bristles, stamps, forks, and mirrors. In each story, there is a pronounced yearning not only of a reason for her oddness, but also a cry for a man she may call Dad. Sometimes a little funny, sometimes a little sad, each story takes us into the colorful life of a quiet soul who has never known what it feels like to have an ever-present father.
What Things Mean touched me in many ways, and honestly left me with a few tears. As someone who grew up in Manila (and has learned to love this old metropolis), I liked how real each scene was to me, from the long queues for transportation, to the friendliness of neighbors in my own neighborhood. The stories in themselves reminded me of my own concerns and worries when I was younger, especially since I myself was an introverted girl who found my solace in books.
Each word on each page also made me remember my own little anxieties and relish the kind of thinking I had while growing up. Moreover, the storyline pulled on my heartstrings, as I know how it felt like to lose a parental figure growing up, and how it felt like to have my heart patched, mended, and made somewhat complete again when I came to terms with my personal history.
I enjoyed this book, and I'd gladly recommend it to anyone searching for themselves and their own unknown stories, no matter what age they may be. After all, things mean different meanings to people, and even if we aren't perfect people, maybe we too will discover someday that we've done something right for ourselves.
August 26, 2016
A profoundly good read, with keen observations, clever insight, and clean descriptions for young adults. This one's going to be a YA classic. The organic wit and humor, the simplicity and perspicacity of the writing... an easy read and yet at the same time, I got Olive, like I know this girl. There was a good, solid story underneath the delicious writing. Best of all, it captured the warmth of a Filipino family; doing away with the unnecessary and glorified angst common to Western YA stories. Overall, it was a yummy read.
Quotes/ my favorite parts:
- On vision boards: "She collaged her way into her dream life and found them all. The man she ended up marrying even looked a lot like the men in her vision boards. That made a believer out of me."
- On where babies come from: "All babies come from God... Some birds are funnier than others."
- On learning to ride a bike: "Maybe we all have to let go of things, and people, in order to keep our balance. Maybe that's the only way to keep moving forward."
- On matryoshka dolls: "They all have the same still smile on their faces, as though they don't mind that they have to be broken open, hollowed out, made into vessels for other things. I wonder if that's a lesson all girls are meant to learn."
- On philosophy and family: "Philosophy and family. Those seem like worthwhile pursuits."
- On the word "ineffable": "'Ineffable, as in incapable of being expessed in words,'...
'Oh,' she said...
'Well, what did you think it meant?' I asked her...
'Ineffable, as in no one in their right mind would ever dream of effing you,'..."
- On the ridiculously morbid names of cosmetics, an anecdote: I bought lipstick from Nars called "Damage". I cringe a little everytime I put some on.
- On encouraging a 16-year-old girl to walk and not buying her her own car: "Walk everywhere while you still can. You have plenty of time to rush to places when you are older."
- What Things Mean: "Things mean different things to people. People are the ones who give meaning to things."
Quotes/ my favorite parts:
- On vision boards: "She collaged her way into her dream life and found them all. The man she ended up marrying even looked a lot like the men in her vision boards. That made a believer out of me."
- On where babies come from: "All babies come from God... Some birds are funnier than others."
- On learning to ride a bike: "Maybe we all have to let go of things, and people, in order to keep our balance. Maybe that's the only way to keep moving forward."
- On matryoshka dolls: "They all have the same still smile on their faces, as though they don't mind that they have to be broken open, hollowed out, made into vessels for other things. I wonder if that's a lesson all girls are meant to learn."
- On philosophy and family: "Philosophy and family. Those seem like worthwhile pursuits."
- On the word "ineffable": "'Ineffable, as in incapable of being expessed in words,'...
'Oh,' she said...
'Well, what did you think it meant?' I asked her...
'Ineffable, as in no one in their right mind would ever dream of effing you,'..."
- On the ridiculously morbid names of cosmetics, an anecdote: I bought lipstick from Nars called "Damage". I cringe a little everytime I put some on.
- On encouraging a 16-year-old girl to walk and not buying her her own car: "Walk everywhere while you still can. You have plenty of time to rush to places when you are older."
- What Things Mean: "Things mean different things to people. People are the ones who give meaning to things."
August 10, 2016
What Things Mean is something that I like and dislike at the same time. It’s too plain for a book for me, having such a simple story with simple characters. That is what actually what I also like about the book; it’s a sweet escape from surreality and fantasy. It is not a book that will excite nor amaze you, but it’s a book wherein the protagonist’s story is merely narrated.
The short book utilizes dictionary terms to introduce a new chapter. Every word correlates with the life of Olive, the protagonist. Every chapter bring a brief story of her life. Olive, having been the different one in the family, struggles to become like her family. To overcome her sadness, she does anything that will bring optimism to herself. Then, she learns about a father she has never known and she has become curious to know.
In regards with the writing style, it is a bit dull and ordinary. There is nothing really special about it, but nonetheless, it is absolutely an easy read because of its simplicity in writing. It is a beauty I longingly desire to read due to the fact that I often read books that are too complex in their writing style.
The story itself can sometimes become boring, and I do not get the other chapters’ correlation with the story itself. Considering its shortness, it is a great book because the author executed this short of a book with a limited space of elaborating more. Somehow, some stories feel like missing, and I really hope that they would be fleshed out in a sense, so that I could get the whole point of the book.
The book fails to make me connected with Olive. She is a great character with an emotional background, but it does not completely feel like there’s something really going on in the story. Sometimes, it becomes baffling, and I wish that it could have been longer. Descriptions are too concise that I have never had a good connection with the characters. Details like emotions could be taken into consideration because of its simple and interesting plot line, but because of the lacking details, I begin to lose interest with the book as I continued reading. Still, this book is one of the best short reads that I read.
The short book utilizes dictionary terms to introduce a new chapter. Every word correlates with the life of Olive, the protagonist. Every chapter bring a brief story of her life. Olive, having been the different one in the family, struggles to become like her family. To overcome her sadness, she does anything that will bring optimism to herself. Then, she learns about a father she has never known and she has become curious to know.
"You are beautiful in all the ways that matter. You don't need all of this to show that. Nothing you put on your face can cover what already shines through -- your good heart, your giving spirit, your sense of humour -- it's what you're made of."
In regards with the writing style, it is a bit dull and ordinary. There is nothing really special about it, but nonetheless, it is absolutely an easy read because of its simplicity in writing. It is a beauty I longingly desire to read due to the fact that I often read books that are too complex in their writing style.
The story itself can sometimes become boring, and I do not get the other chapters’ correlation with the story itself. Considering its shortness, it is a great book because the author executed this short of a book with a limited space of elaborating more. Somehow, some stories feel like missing, and I really hope that they would be fleshed out in a sense, so that I could get the whole point of the book.
"The thing about mirrors is that they show you everything -- even the things you don't want to see."
The book fails to make me connected with Olive. She is a great character with an emotional background, but it does not completely feel like there’s something really going on in the story. Sometimes, it becomes baffling, and I wish that it could have been longer. Descriptions are too concise that I have never had a good connection with the characters. Details like emotions could be taken into consideration because of its simple and interesting plot line, but because of the lacking details, I begin to lose interest with the book as I continued reading. Still, this book is one of the best short reads that I read.
September 20, 2016
For someone who loves reading books, I barely read books from local authors, because most of the gems go under the radar. When I received an email from the author offering me a book for review, I immediately grabbed the opportunity!
The book was told in a unique manner, each chapter starting with a dictionary entry. It’s like a collection of different mini-stories stringed together, which was really cool. It was easy to read, and a short one so I read it in one sitting.
I love Olive’s voice because it’s very realistic and relatable. Well, one factor is that the book is set in the Philippines. I love the fact that even the smallest things in Philippine culture was incorporated in the book.
Also considering that this book was written by a Filipino, one of the main themes in the book is family, since us lot are very much family-oriented. And yes, I did enjoy the book because of the realistic portrayals of the characters and themes of the story.
The dictionary entries were also quite enjoyable to read, and I’ve discovered new meanings to the words! Overall, this book was just the right one to get me out of my reading slump. It’s very relatable and heartfelt, also enjoyable. One of the best coming of age books I’ve ever read!
The book was told in a unique manner, each chapter starting with a dictionary entry. It’s like a collection of different mini-stories stringed together, which was really cool. It was easy to read, and a short one so I read it in one sitting.
I love Olive’s voice because it’s very realistic and relatable. Well, one factor is that the book is set in the Philippines. I love the fact that even the smallest things in Philippine culture was incorporated in the book.
Also considering that this book was written by a Filipino, one of the main themes in the book is family, since us lot are very much family-oriented. And yes, I did enjoy the book because of the realistic portrayals of the characters and themes of the story.
The dictionary entries were also quite enjoyable to read, and I’ve discovered new meanings to the words! Overall, this book was just the right one to get me out of my reading slump. It’s very relatable and heartfelt, also enjoyable. One of the best coming of age books I’ve ever read!
September 28, 2016
4.5 stars
"What Things Mean" is a moving story of how a young girl learns about herself and the world she lives in. Deceptively simple, it's filled with touching and complex realizations on family life, friendship, and love. The series of definitions (like Jam, Lines, Makeup, Box, etc.) move the story forward, providing apt metaphors that articulate familiar human concerns that many of us go through (being different, growing up, finding a way to connect with others, etc.). Author Sophia Lee found a way to express these sensitive concerns artfully in a way that engages and relates with young women.
Personally, this story reminds me of the importance of family. Growing up, I see how families can be quite imposing on children. Despite this reality, Olive shows us why it's important to keep asking questions to understand why things are the way they are. At the same time, reading this made me realize how family members have different ways of making us feel they love us. All in all, reading it gave me a renewed appreciation for family, knowing that parents only want the best for their children, no matter what the circumstances.
Indeed, both young and old readers can learn a lot from the story's main character as she discovers more about herself.
"What Things Mean" is a moving story of how a young girl learns about herself and the world she lives in. Deceptively simple, it's filled with touching and complex realizations on family life, friendship, and love. The series of definitions (like Jam, Lines, Makeup, Box, etc.) move the story forward, providing apt metaphors that articulate familiar human concerns that many of us go through (being different, growing up, finding a way to connect with others, etc.). Author Sophia Lee found a way to express these sensitive concerns artfully in a way that engages and relates with young women.
Personally, this story reminds me of the importance of family. Growing up, I see how families can be quite imposing on children. Despite this reality, Olive shows us why it's important to keep asking questions to understand why things are the way they are. At the same time, reading this made me realize how family members have different ways of making us feel they love us. All in all, reading it gave me a renewed appreciation for family, knowing that parents only want the best for their children, no matter what the circumstances.
Indeed, both young and old readers can learn a lot from the story's main character as she discovers more about herself.
March 14, 2018
A short and quick read that's heartwarming and beautifully written. I empathised with the protagonist so much, she made my heart ache. I know the feelings she describes all too well sometimes.
Favourite quotes:
"Maybe, there are stories that ought to be remembered, and some that are better off left alone.
"There's only so much you can do. Most times, people leave for reasons that have nothing to do with you."
"Don't pick something because of how it looks — choose something because you know it will work well for you."
"I like the idea of jam. It is comforting knowing that even the sourest things can be honeyed in some way, knowing that some joys can be bottled up and reached out for on days when you just need a little bit of sweetness. I hold on to that feeling for as long as I can."
"There are so many things you can learn from someone, even when they are gone."
"Maybe, that's how it's meant to be. Maybe we will all have to let go of things, and people, in order to keep our balance. Maybe that's the only way to keep moving forward."
Favourite quotes:
"Maybe, there are stories that ought to be remembered, and some that are better off left alone.
"There's only so much you can do. Most times, people leave for reasons that have nothing to do with you."
"Don't pick something because of how it looks — choose something because you know it will work well for you."
"I like the idea of jam. It is comforting knowing that even the sourest things can be honeyed in some way, knowing that some joys can be bottled up and reached out for on days when you just need a little bit of sweetness. I hold on to that feeling for as long as I can."
"There are so many things you can learn from someone, even when they are gone."
"Maybe, that's how it's meant to be. Maybe we will all have to let go of things, and people, in order to keep our balance. Maybe that's the only way to keep moving forward."
May 3, 2017
"What Things Mean" was interesting - it was difficult to put down, which made it possible for me to finish reading it in a span of two (2) hours. I had marked many lines in this book, which was to also say that I liked the content.
BABY SPOILER ALERT:
On the other hand, I was quite disappointed by how the main character, Olive, resolved her "issue" - finding out about her father. The previous chapters had a great buildup and all - leading to Olive's discovery of her father, but when she finally saw him, it was just like a common thing. It was as though this part of the book was shoved at me, like "Here, take this". That part was quite a disappointment for me. I was not specifically asking for a happy, sad, or angry scene. I just wanted that scene to be a scene. It was the part of the book that should've contained explosions, because it was the answer to the questions that the main character had been asking right from the beginning of the book.
That was my only problem with this book, but overall, I liked it very much. I might reread the passages that I'd highlighted very soon!
BABY SPOILER ALERT:
On the other hand, I was quite disappointed by how the main character, Olive, resolved her "issue" - finding out about her father. The previous chapters had a great buildup and all - leading to Olive's discovery of her father, but when she finally saw him, it was just like a common thing. It was as though this part of the book was shoved at me, like "Here, take this". That part was quite a disappointment for me. I was not specifically asking for a happy, sad, or angry scene. I just wanted that scene to be a scene. It was the part of the book that should've contained explosions, because it was the answer to the questions that the main character had been asking right from the beginning of the book.
That was my only problem with this book, but overall, I liked it very much. I might reread the passages that I'd highlighted very soon!
February 10, 2017
Also posted on The Procrastinator's Corner
While I thoroughly loved What Things Mean, it’s really difficult for me to describe how I feel about it. I lent this to a friend and forced her to read it just so we could discuss it together and maybe get ideas from her on how I could review this, but like me she couldn’t form coherent English sentences to express her feelings about it aside from “different” and “good” and “somewhat like Perks of Being a Wallflower” which, to be honest, in my opinion, are all understatements. I was thinking “awesome” which could also work as a full review for this book provided that the word “awesome” be capitalized in bold letters and with three exclamation points because it’s that. What Things Mean is awesome. But it’s more than just awesome. What Things Mean, for all its worth, goes beyond awesome! Also, this is written by a Filipino author and the book is set in the Philippines so there are lots of reference to the Filipino culture.
First off, how adorable is this book? Every chapter begins with a dictionary entry featuring random words that aren't really random because each word gives deeper meaning to every chapter. It never ceased to impress me how simple words with simple dictionary definition could be so intricate and could define the whole universe. I get excited every time I start a new chapter because I know that the connection between the featured word and the chapter would be surprising and like I said, it never ceased to impress me. And as for our protagonist, Olive, she's a lonely character who doesn't fit into her family and you'll literally feel that about her. I wanted to pluck her out of the book and give her a big hug and a pat to the head. It's just amazing how the author could capture those emotions perfectly and turn them into words that effectively gets to the reader.
What Things Mean is told in a non-chronological order of events in Olive's life. You'd think it's random and inadequate but by the end of the book, you'd feel as if you've known Olive your entire life. And did I mention that this only has 133 pages? But my god, it has EVERYTHING! That's another thing that this book got me so amazed. What Things Mean managed to be so intricate, poignant, beautiful, and powerful in just 133 pages with no loose ends nor rushed scenes. It's basically perfect!
Bonus! Quotes from the book because Sophia Lee's writing is simply breathtaking!
"I think that's the thing that most people miss about magic - how it relies on one's ability to make people believe."
"I am reminded of something Mama always tells me - how these are people's dream homes, the fruit of years of hard work and sacrifice. I try to be mindful of that when I go on my walks, to remember how nice it is that different dreams can stand together, side by side."
"Here is what I wanted to say, but didn't: I was always going to be somewhere, stepping over some line. We all were - even if we didn't want to admit it. There was only forward or backward, and an infinite line of changes either way."
"Light always remains. The world turns, and days pass, and the sun warms the places that need it. Maybe that is how it is with everything else. Things go where they are needed, and when they do, we simply learn how to live without them."
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Scholastic PH and Sophia N. Lee for free in exchange for an honest review.
While I thoroughly loved What Things Mean, it’s really difficult for me to describe how I feel about it. I lent this to a friend and forced her to read it just so we could discuss it together and maybe get ideas from her on how I could review this, but like me she couldn’t form coherent English sentences to express her feelings about it aside from “different” and “good” and “somewhat like Perks of Being a Wallflower” which, to be honest, in my opinion, are all understatements. I was thinking “awesome” which could also work as a full review for this book provided that the word “awesome” be capitalized in bold letters and with three exclamation points because it’s that. What Things Mean is awesome. But it’s more than just awesome. What Things Mean, for all its worth, goes beyond awesome! Also, this is written by a Filipino author and the book is set in the Philippines so there are lots of reference to the Filipino culture.
First off, how adorable is this book? Every chapter begins with a dictionary entry featuring random words that aren't really random because each word gives deeper meaning to every chapter. It never ceased to impress me how simple words with simple dictionary definition could be so intricate and could define the whole universe. I get excited every time I start a new chapter because I know that the connection between the featured word and the chapter would be surprising and like I said, it never ceased to impress me. And as for our protagonist, Olive, she's a lonely character who doesn't fit into her family and you'll literally feel that about her. I wanted to pluck her out of the book and give her a big hug and a pat to the head. It's just amazing how the author could capture those emotions perfectly and turn them into words that effectively gets to the reader.
What Things Mean is told in a non-chronological order of events in Olive's life. You'd think it's random and inadequate but by the end of the book, you'd feel as if you've known Olive your entire life. And did I mention that this only has 133 pages? But my god, it has EVERYTHING! That's another thing that this book got me so amazed. What Things Mean managed to be so intricate, poignant, beautiful, and powerful in just 133 pages with no loose ends nor rushed scenes. It's basically perfect!
Bonus! Quotes from the book because Sophia Lee's writing is simply breathtaking!
"I think that's the thing that most people miss about magic - how it relies on one's ability to make people believe."
"I am reminded of something Mama always tells me - how these are people's dream homes, the fruit of years of hard work and sacrifice. I try to be mindful of that when I go on my walks, to remember how nice it is that different dreams can stand together, side by side."
"Here is what I wanted to say, but didn't: I was always going to be somewhere, stepping over some line. We all were - even if we didn't want to admit it. There was only forward or backward, and an infinite line of changes either way."
"Light always remains. The world turns, and days pass, and the sun warms the places that need it. Maybe that is how it is with everything else. Things go where they are needed, and when they do, we simply learn how to live without them."
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Scholastic PH and Sophia N. Lee for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2017
I was given a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review. Note: Semi-spoiler-y review ahead.
You can already tell from the title that What Things Mean is going to be well-written--and it is. Apart from the attention paid to the dictionary definitions that head each chapter (which I have to admit that I breezed through), the first sentence drew me in and the clear, lucid writing kept me turning the pages of this short but poignant book.
Olive is 14 years old, a truly confusing age to be. This, on top of living with a grandmother, aunts, cousins, and mother who look so physically different from her, and not knowing her father, who may hold the key to why the difference exists. As the story progresses, Olive continues to ask questions: not just about her father, but about herself, and her place in her family--until all the questions come to a head. When she finally finds the answer, it may not be to her liking.
Off the bat, I was rooting for Olive the whole time. She's precocious for her age, loves to eat pickles straight from the jar, feels left behind when her friends start to change, and feels really insecure about makeup. All this, minus the pickles (I personally love eating olives straight from the jar), made me relate to her, made me think back to when I was 14 years old and feeling like the whole world is so much bigger than me. I think that's why I was frustrated that she just let things happen to her, things committed by people she loves but who feel incidental to the plot of the novel. I'm a very vindictive kind of reader; not all loose ends have to be tied with me, but I want to feel vindicated over at least one plot point, on behalf of the main character. So when Olive found a box of very old beans and started cooking them, I wanted to punch the air and say, "YES, now we're getting somewhere!"
But vindication isn't the point of this novel. The point is in the ambiguity of meanings, and how changeable meanings are. So maybe Olive doesn't get her vindication. She doesn't show her cousins that she's "grown-up" and her cousins don't acknowledge her as such. She doesn't become more visible to people at school or learn which is better: invisibility or visibility. She doesn't learn to speak up and be heard over the din of her family. This young adult novel doesn't end with Olive finally finding her place in the world, her meaning--but that's okay. It ends with a baby step, a glimpse into Olive becoming and changing her own meaning, a hopeful note for the future, and maybe that's what everyone needs right now.
That said, I would have wanted a few more chapters showing how she and the rest of her family deal with the revelation about her father, or at least about Olive learning the truth about her father at last. Olive feels like an outsider in her own family--her own cousins leave her out of the picture when one of them reels over getting her heart broken. This is a feeling I can attest to, but Olive's private conversation with her mom at the end somehow brought it home for me that in the narrative, she really might be an outsider and isn't just imagining things.
All in all, What Things Mean is a fine read, quickly finished in one Saturday afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Sophia Lee will be writing in the future.
You can already tell from the title that What Things Mean is going to be well-written--and it is. Apart from the attention paid to the dictionary definitions that head each chapter (which I have to admit that I breezed through), the first sentence drew me in and the clear, lucid writing kept me turning the pages of this short but poignant book.
Olive is 14 years old, a truly confusing age to be. This, on top of living with a grandmother, aunts, cousins, and mother who look so physically different from her, and not knowing her father, who may hold the key to why the difference exists. As the story progresses, Olive continues to ask questions: not just about her father, but about herself, and her place in her family--until all the questions come to a head. When she finally finds the answer, it may not be to her liking.
Off the bat, I was rooting for Olive the whole time. She's precocious for her age, loves to eat pickles straight from the jar, feels left behind when her friends start to change, and feels really insecure about makeup. All this, minus the pickles (I personally love eating olives straight from the jar), made me relate to her, made me think back to when I was 14 years old and feeling like the whole world is so much bigger than me. I think that's why I was frustrated that she just let things happen to her, things committed by people she loves but who feel incidental to the plot of the novel. I'm a very vindictive kind of reader; not all loose ends have to be tied with me, but I want to feel vindicated over at least one plot point, on behalf of the main character. So when Olive found a box of very old beans and started cooking them, I wanted to punch the air and say, "YES, now we're getting somewhere!"
But vindication isn't the point of this novel. The point is in the ambiguity of meanings, and how changeable meanings are. So maybe Olive doesn't get her vindication. She doesn't show her cousins that she's "grown-up" and her cousins don't acknowledge her as such. She doesn't become more visible to people at school or learn which is better: invisibility or visibility. She doesn't learn to speak up and be heard over the din of her family. This young adult novel doesn't end with Olive finally finding her place in the world, her meaning--but that's okay. It ends with a baby step, a glimpse into Olive becoming and changing her own meaning, a hopeful note for the future, and maybe that's what everyone needs right now.
That said, I would have wanted a few more chapters showing how she and the rest of her family deal with the revelation about her father, or at least about Olive learning the truth about her father at last. Olive feels like an outsider in her own family--her own cousins leave her out of the picture when one of them reels over getting her heart broken. This is a feeling I can attest to, but Olive's private conversation with her mom at the end somehow brought it home for me that in the narrative, she really might be an outsider and isn't just imagining things.
All in all, What Things Mean is a fine read, quickly finished in one Saturday afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Sophia Lee will be writing in the future.
September 24, 2016
Sometimes, the simplest answers are the hardest to come by. We are the reason why spend so much time waiting. We wait because we choose to do so everyday.
I haven't really read books from local authors ever since I finished reading F. Sionil Jose's books. That's why I am really thankful to book blogger, Inah, and author herself, Ms. Sophia N. Lee, for hosting the giveaway where I won this book and giving me the chance to relate to its simple yet wonderful story. The thing I love about What Things Mean is that the book isn't just about the story of a young girl who is in constant search for the missing part of herself but is also about expanding readers' vocabulary and perspective, from each chapter starting with a word related to the protagonist's life to those life lessons I have noted. Giving it a 5 star for a well-thought and beautiful writing.
I haven't really read books from local authors ever since I finished reading F. Sionil Jose's books. That's why I am really thankful to book blogger, Inah, and author herself, Ms. Sophia N. Lee, for hosting the giveaway where I won this book and giving me the chance to relate to its simple yet wonderful story. The thing I love about What Things Mean is that the book isn't just about the story of a young girl who is in constant search for the missing part of herself but is also about expanding readers' vocabulary and perspective, from each chapter starting with a word related to the protagonist's life to those life lessons I have noted. Giving it a 5 star for a well-thought and beautiful writing.
July 24, 2018
I only read this because we were going to discuss it for my Literature class and I couldn't be more happy that we did because it's an Asian Award Winner.
I kept seeing this in our local bookstore and it intrigued me because it's considered young adult and not children's because the protagonist is fourteen years old.
This story is my break from all the contemporary and fantasy and sci-fi reads I've been reading and it was good.
It's such a light read and anyone could finish it in a day. I love the format of the book - it features a word at the beginning of a chapter and that word is used to narrate an event in the protagonist's life.
It's so cute because who knew you could use such simple words in ways no one could've imagined?
It also enlightened me in ways on how I look at the world and society. And I won't lie, the book was very relatable.
National Bookstore hosted an event and I missed that so I'm kind of regretting it now and I want it to happen again.
Anyways I recommend this book to everyone I swear you will be enlightened.
I kept seeing this in our local bookstore and it intrigued me because it's considered young adult and not children's because the protagonist is fourteen years old.
This story is my break from all the contemporary and fantasy and sci-fi reads I've been reading and it was good.
It's such a light read and anyone could finish it in a day. I love the format of the book - it features a word at the beginning of a chapter and that word is used to narrate an event in the protagonist's life.
It's so cute because who knew you could use such simple words in ways no one could've imagined?
It also enlightened me in ways on how I look at the world and society. And I won't lie, the book was very relatable.
National Bookstore hosted an event and I missed that so I'm kind of regretting it now and I want it to happen again.
Anyways I recommend this book to everyone I swear you will be enlightened.
May 11, 2020
Karya ini berbahasa Inggeris. Namun, ia bukan lah karya seorang wanita Inggeris. Ia adalah karya seorang Filipina. Menceritakan pengalaman hidup seorang Olive yg berumur 14 tahun dan pengembaraannya mencari makna di sebalik perbezaan yg dia miliki berbanding ahli keluarganya yg lain.
Dia cuma punya seorang ibu(nanay), nenek (lola), 2 makcik, 2 pakcik dan 2 orang sepupu perempuan.
Dia berbeza. Jauh berbeza dari semua perempuan yang ada di dalam rumah itu. Dia tidak memiliki kecantikan kulit 'wanita Asia', ketinggiannya melebihi tinggi kebiasaan wanita Asia, rambutnya tidak ikal, sukan tidak menjadi kegemarannya atau bakatnya. Dan yang paling berbeza ialah, dia tidak pernah tahu siapakah bapanya. Tidak seperti perempuan2 lain di dalam rumah itu.
Puas dia mencari erti 'perbezaan' kerana baginya, perbezaan itu bukan ertinya berbeza semata2, tetapi baginya berbeza bererti asing, pelik dan disisihkan.
Namun, di akhir penceritaan, Olive temui makna di sebalik namanya sendiri. Olive = buah zaitun semestinya tidak indah pada fizikalnya. Tetapi, buah zaitun juga lah yang jika ditekan, akan mengeluarkan minyak yg paling berkualiti di dunia. Semestinya harganya mahal sekali. Kerana tiap perkara punya kelebihannya yg tersendiri
Saya gemar benar cara penceritaannya. Penulis memberi maksud setiap kata yg menjadi tajuk. Seolah2 memberitahu, kita tidak boleh pandang sesuatu benda atau perkara mengikut sudut pandang yang satu sahaja.
Terima kasih utk pengalaman dan pengembaraan yg begitu bermakna.
Dia cuma punya seorang ibu(nanay), nenek (lola), 2 makcik, 2 pakcik dan 2 orang sepupu perempuan.
Dia berbeza. Jauh berbeza dari semua perempuan yang ada di dalam rumah itu. Dia tidak memiliki kecantikan kulit 'wanita Asia', ketinggiannya melebihi tinggi kebiasaan wanita Asia, rambutnya tidak ikal, sukan tidak menjadi kegemarannya atau bakatnya. Dan yang paling berbeza ialah, dia tidak pernah tahu siapakah bapanya. Tidak seperti perempuan2 lain di dalam rumah itu.
Puas dia mencari erti 'perbezaan' kerana baginya, perbezaan itu bukan ertinya berbeza semata2, tetapi baginya berbeza bererti asing, pelik dan disisihkan.
Namun, di akhir penceritaan, Olive temui makna di sebalik namanya sendiri. Olive = buah zaitun semestinya tidak indah pada fizikalnya. Tetapi, buah zaitun juga lah yang jika ditekan, akan mengeluarkan minyak yg paling berkualiti di dunia. Semestinya harganya mahal sekali. Kerana tiap perkara punya kelebihannya yg tersendiri
Saya gemar benar cara penceritaannya. Penulis memberi maksud setiap kata yg menjadi tajuk. Seolah2 memberitahu, kita tidak boleh pandang sesuatu benda atau perkara mengikut sudut pandang yang satu sahaja.
Terima kasih utk pengalaman dan pengembaraan yg begitu bermakna.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2017
"What Things Mean was awarded the Asian Book Award and it rightly deserves so. A tale of a girl who desperately tries to find meaning in things and her place in the world may have been told many times already, but Lee makes it extra poignant and extra sticky so it tugs the heart extra tighter." Continue reading our review here.
Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
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Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here.
September 9, 2017
WTM is a clear depiction of the parents’ desire to protect their children from the harsh truths. To keep their kids from getting hurt, they come up with stories, weave lies or get mad at their children for being curious. What most parents don’t realize is that doing so does more damage to their children than good. Because children, by nature, are curious. And when they don’t get the answers that satisfy their curiosity, they resort to finding it out on their own.
The fact that Olive turns to books to understand a lot of things on her own is admirable (and quite relieving to be honest because she didn’t rebel or anything). In relation to this, I love how the author, Ms. Sophia, added the dictionary definition of the words and how she used the same words to paint Olive’s struggles.
The fact that Olive turns to books to understand a lot of things on her own is admirable (and quite relieving to be honest because she didn’t rebel or anything). In relation to this, I love how the author, Ms. Sophia, added the dictionary definition of the words and how she used the same words to paint Olive’s struggles.
July 23, 2018
Made me ugly cry.
About a mother-daughter pair who looked nothing like each other, add in similar looking relatives, minus an absent father, the daughter is the odd one out.
It not only shows the struggle of single mothers but also teenagers' expectations, how we handle peers and the little things that tend to make our heart constrict and shy away from social interaction. How children always associate different with bad and above all family dynamics. Some people do have a love-hate relationship with their family, soooo obviously the Malay proverb sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit is applicable here.
Oh and this book is set in the Philippines so that's great if you're looking for South-East Asian lit.
About a mother-daughter pair who looked nothing like each other, add in similar looking relatives, minus an absent father, the daughter is the odd one out.
It not only shows the struggle of single mothers but also teenagers' expectations, how we handle peers and the little things that tend to make our heart constrict and shy away from social interaction. How children always associate different with bad and above all family dynamics. Some people do have a love-hate relationship with their family, soooo obviously the Malay proverb sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit is applicable here.
Oh and this book is set in the Philippines so that's great if you're looking for South-East Asian lit.
December 1, 2023
This book saved me from my book slump. I love the words and definitions in every chapter and how they are connected to the situation of the chapter. The book mentioned various issues that commonly occur in Filipino families. This book reminded me of how fun it was to read children/young adult and local books.
September 24, 2025
Oh wow I remember this book!! I bought this when I was about 11 years old back then I think(?) This was my fave book as a child. I love the writing style of it. Some lines being thrown by the characters were simple yet profound. I know for sure that I will read it again in the future even though I have read this so many times when I was a kid.
July 6, 2024
It's a good book for preteens, and is comprehensive to those who wants to learn English and learn about the Philippines culture. But I will say the book it self is more feel home so you won't expect a lot of mind-blowing plotwist but it's so soo good!
September 17, 2018
An interesting read with a touch of Filipino culture. You might even learn new meanings for some words too!
February 20, 2021
Simple book telling us about being an adult. About how to be different but that's okay because it doesn't cause harm to you. How to explore and curious.
December 15, 2024
Loved this book when I was in 4th grade
December 18, 2016
I am trying to remember when I first met Sophia N. Lee. Was it in a KUTING workshop or during the PBBY Kabanata Workshop? I couldn't recall anymore. What I remember is reading the three chapters of a novel that Sophia N. Lee was working with at the time. It had a narrative voice that was sensitive, introspective and curiously delightful to read. I was intrigued at the format she was trying to experiment with. Each chapter began with a word and what followed were definitions of it. I immediately warmed up to the fledgeling novel.
One of my hobbies when I was in my tweens, and up to my teenage years, was that I collected words, quotes and paragraphs that strike me as powerful, subtle, poignant, riveting and mind boggling. During those wonder years, I had no awareness of the purpose of collecting such "stuff". I loved to read (I still do) and words fascinated me (still). So, I jotted down in a notebook, all the words, quotes and paragraphs I could find that piqued my fancy. Some words I remember. Others I forgot. I realized I needed to use them. I did so by keeping a diary. My curated words and quotes, lines of poetry and paragraphs finally found another home, another life. I grew up, of course, and started collecting other things.
But that childhood memory remains. It is one of those memories that make me ask myself, to this day, why I did that when my friends were interested in something more exciting than collecting words. That's why, when I first read Sophia N. Lee's drafts, I saw my fourteen year old self: a word collector trying to find the meaning of things.
I have connected one dot to another.
What Worked
What Things Mean is about Olive who sees herself a little different from her cousins and her classmates. It bothers her, a lot, but Sophia N. Lee approaches this personal issue with a nuanced narration of stories from her quirky uncles, her cousins, her aunts, her grandmother and her mother who has her own unique style of evading the truths that Olive wishes to discover. Her journey towards self discovery is a quiet one; subtle and insightful. Thank you, Ms. Lee, for this portrayal of the un-emo teenager.
I am so tired of the big drama and the loud characterization of obnoxious teens, especially in mainstream telenovelas and kalyeserye. In real life, some can be overly dramatic and annoying. True. There are those who suffer in silence and somehow, turn out fine later on. To me, this teenager was given a voice through Olive.
I enjoyed her conversations with her uncles the most. Her aunts, her grandmother and her mother are all strong women characters. Each is presented with a personal battle and could hold their own in the midst of their internal conflicts. Yet, it is the male characters whom I found to be giving more sensible advice to Olive. While the women in the novel are always there for each other, most times, she feels isolated in their midst. But, don't we all feel this way in our own family sometimes? The thing is, the uncles and her father are either often away or missing, however, the men in this novel made a bigger impact on me.
I cried when Uncle Ricky had to leave again. I cried when Uncle Sol's postcards are left unappreciated. I cried when Olive finally met her father. I cried for their wives and their daughters who must cope, endure and accept that taking leave is part of life.
The truth is not an easy pill to swallow. But, it sets us free. Olive's journey to this new found freedom has just begun.
What did not work
There is no sequel.
So I won't know how Olive's relationship with her father progressed. I am left with a hole full of questions. Only my imagination could fill in the gap for answers. Which, if you think about it, isn't that bad at all.
I read this book at a time in my life when I am battling with my own issues of detachment. I couldn't thank Ms. Lee enough for getting in touch with me. I am glad I accepted to review this book because once again, I realized that the gaps, the spaces and the lacunas in our lives are necessary to complete us and make us whole again.
I am honored and privileged to have witnessed the life cycles of Olive, the novel's turn about into a published book, and that of Ms. Sophia N. Lee, Filipina and writer.
Recommended for readers age 13 and up!
One of my hobbies when I was in my tweens, and up to my teenage years, was that I collected words, quotes and paragraphs that strike me as powerful, subtle, poignant, riveting and mind boggling. During those wonder years, I had no awareness of the purpose of collecting such "stuff". I loved to read (I still do) and words fascinated me (still). So, I jotted down in a notebook, all the words, quotes and paragraphs I could find that piqued my fancy. Some words I remember. Others I forgot. I realized I needed to use them. I did so by keeping a diary. My curated words and quotes, lines of poetry and paragraphs finally found another home, another life. I grew up, of course, and started collecting other things.
But that childhood memory remains. It is one of those memories that make me ask myself, to this day, why I did that when my friends were interested in something more exciting than collecting words. That's why, when I first read Sophia N. Lee's drafts, I saw my fourteen year old self: a word collector trying to find the meaning of things.
I have connected one dot to another.
What Worked
What Things Mean is about Olive who sees herself a little different from her cousins and her classmates. It bothers her, a lot, but Sophia N. Lee approaches this personal issue with a nuanced narration of stories from her quirky uncles, her cousins, her aunts, her grandmother and her mother who has her own unique style of evading the truths that Olive wishes to discover. Her journey towards self discovery is a quiet one; subtle and insightful. Thank you, Ms. Lee, for this portrayal of the un-emo teenager.
I am so tired of the big drama and the loud characterization of obnoxious teens, especially in mainstream telenovelas and kalyeserye. In real life, some can be overly dramatic and annoying. True. There are those who suffer in silence and somehow, turn out fine later on. To me, this teenager was given a voice through Olive.
I enjoyed her conversations with her uncles the most. Her aunts, her grandmother and her mother are all strong women characters. Each is presented with a personal battle and could hold their own in the midst of their internal conflicts. Yet, it is the male characters whom I found to be giving more sensible advice to Olive. While the women in the novel are always there for each other, most times, she feels isolated in their midst. But, don't we all feel this way in our own family sometimes? The thing is, the uncles and her father are either often away or missing, however, the men in this novel made a bigger impact on me.
I cried when Uncle Ricky had to leave again. I cried when Uncle Sol's postcards are left unappreciated. I cried when Olive finally met her father. I cried for their wives and their daughters who must cope, endure and accept that taking leave is part of life.
The truth is not an easy pill to swallow. But, it sets us free. Olive's journey to this new found freedom has just begun.
What did not work
There is no sequel.
So I won't know how Olive's relationship with her father progressed. I am left with a hole full of questions. Only my imagination could fill in the gap for answers. Which, if you think about it, isn't that bad at all.
I read this book at a time in my life when I am battling with my own issues of detachment. I couldn't thank Ms. Lee enough for getting in touch with me. I am glad I accepted to review this book because once again, I realized that the gaps, the spaces and the lacunas in our lives are necessary to complete us and make us whole again.
I am honored and privileged to have witnessed the life cycles of Olive, the novel's turn about into a published book, and that of Ms. Sophia N. Lee, Filipina and writer.
Recommended for readers age 13 and up!
July 17, 2016
Maybe, that's how it's meant to be. Maybe we all have to let go of things, and people, in order to keep our balance. Maybe that's the only way to keep moving forward.
How can this short book, filled with simple words be that beautiful and complex?
I can normally finish a book in one sitting, and it's a thick one at that. But this one literally had me pausing every now and then, sighing, and realizing (simple) things that I have completely forgotten. This book has a way of hypnotizing it's readers that I, myself has the tendency to stop for a while, digest every word, every sentence, every paragraph before moving on to the next chapter.
I'm sure a lot of people can relate to Olive, who feels she is different from the rest of her family. This book gives you a glimpse of the Filipino culture and a young girl's struggle of finding herself amidst everything that is surrounding her and searching for answers to the questions she had been dying but forbidden to ask for quite a long time.
I like the idea of jam. It's comforting knowing that even the sourest things can be honeyed in some way, knowing that some joys can be bottled up and reached out for on days when you need just a little bit of sweetness. I hold on to that feeling for as long as I can
This book definitely deserves the award it receives (it won the Asian Book Award). The book seems so simply written, but definitely laced with beautiful, powerful and thought provoking words that would simply have you hooked and leave you with so much things to think about.
Indeed, this book makes you ponder, makes you smile and can make you feel a little teary. This may have a young adult theme, but I would recommend it to everyone no matter what the age is. This is a great read for anyone who is trying to find themselves.
In Math, they tell us that the simplest way to think about infinity is just to add one to whatever is the biggest number you can think of. But I've read that you can also find infinity between any two numbers or any two points - all you really have to do is to keep diving the distance between them in half. Each time you do that, you are bound to find an entirely new number, and Math tells us that there isn't any reason that you would have to stop. Thins means that no matter how close two things may be, you can always find another point between them. That's how I feel right now - with everything. Close, but still not close enough.
How can this short book, filled with simple words be that beautiful and complex?
I can normally finish a book in one sitting, and it's a thick one at that. But this one literally had me pausing every now and then, sighing, and realizing (simple) things that I have completely forgotten. This book has a way of hypnotizing it's readers that I, myself has the tendency to stop for a while, digest every word, every sentence, every paragraph before moving on to the next chapter.
I'm sure a lot of people can relate to Olive, who feels she is different from the rest of her family. This book gives you a glimpse of the Filipino culture and a young girl's struggle of finding herself amidst everything that is surrounding her and searching for answers to the questions she had been dying but forbidden to ask for quite a long time.
I like the idea of jam. It's comforting knowing that even the sourest things can be honeyed in some way, knowing that some joys can be bottled up and reached out for on days when you need just a little bit of sweetness. I hold on to that feeling for as long as I can
This book definitely deserves the award it receives (it won the Asian Book Award). The book seems so simply written, but definitely laced with beautiful, powerful and thought provoking words that would simply have you hooked and leave you with so much things to think about.
Indeed, this book makes you ponder, makes you smile and can make you feel a little teary. This may have a young adult theme, but I would recommend it to everyone no matter what the age is. This is a great read for anyone who is trying to find themselves.
In Math, they tell us that the simplest way to think about infinity is just to add one to whatever is the biggest number you can think of. But I've read that you can also find infinity between any two numbers or any two points - all you really have to do is to keep diving the distance between them in half. Each time you do that, you are bound to find an entirely new number, and Math tells us that there isn't any reason that you would have to stop. Thins means that no matter how close two things may be, you can always find another point between them. That's how I feel right now - with everything. Close, but still not close enough.
June 8, 2016
Full review posted on my blog, Blackplume
What Things Mean introduced readers to Olive Geurero, a young girl who is trying to find her place in her family. Being different from the rest of her mother’s clan from appearance to hobbies and interest makes her feel lonely and unaccepted. She is more like her father, though she never actually met him. The more she wants to fit in, the more she wants to meet her father to understand why she is so different. But what if meeting her father is not the key in uncovering her own identity?
The writing format reminds me of David Levithan’s Lover’s Dictionary wherein the story is told in a non-linear format of dictionary-entries. In What Thing Mean, Sophia N. Lee highlight each chapters using words and their dictionary meanings, then weaved all these words to Olive’s story.
Olive as the main character is interesting. Her quiet and subtle approach of uncovering things to understand more why she is so different or just to find answers to most of her questions shows a different kind of strength. She is smart and humble. Even during her early age she clearly shows an inquisitive mind and an eager spirit. Readers will surely like Olive and her quiet tale of self-discovery to find meaning.
Continue reading here
What Things Mean introduced readers to Olive Geurero, a young girl who is trying to find her place in her family. Being different from the rest of her mother’s clan from appearance to hobbies and interest makes her feel lonely and unaccepted. She is more like her father, though she never actually met him. The more she wants to fit in, the more she wants to meet her father to understand why she is so different. But what if meeting her father is not the key in uncovering her own identity?
The writing format reminds me of David Levithan’s Lover’s Dictionary wherein the story is told in a non-linear format of dictionary-entries. In What Thing Mean, Sophia N. Lee highlight each chapters using words and their dictionary meanings, then weaved all these words to Olive’s story.
Olive as the main character is interesting. Her quiet and subtle approach of uncovering things to understand more why she is so different or just to find answers to most of her questions shows a different kind of strength. She is smart and humble. Even during her early age she clearly shows an inquisitive mind and an eager spirit. Readers will surely like Olive and her quiet tale of self-discovery to find meaning.
Continue reading here
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