What I Meant...

by Marie Lamba

After 15 years of being a good daughter and loyal friend, wouldn't you expect the people closest to you to believe you? To at least try to understand what you mean? Since my evil aunt moved in, everything has gone wrong.

My little sister thinks I'm a thief.

My best friend thinks I'm a jerk.

My parents think I'm bulimic.

And the boy I love thinks I'm not into him at all.

Somehow I have to set the record straight before I totally lose my mind.

Marie Lamba's debut novel tells the story of how 15-year-old Sangeet Jumnal's sleepy suburban life suddenly gets super complicated.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Family, Chick Lit

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2007

About the author

Marie is the author of YA novels including WHAT I MEANT... (Random House), OVER MY HEAD and DRAWN. Btw, DRAWN is about an artist who falls for a medieval ghost with a sketchy past (attention Outlander fans out there!). Marie's debut picture book, GREEN GREEN: A COMMUNITY GARDENING STORY, co-authored with Baldev Lamba and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez (Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan) is all about how kids can make our world more green. Marie's hopeful and colorful picture book A DAY SO GRAY (Clarion), illustrated by Alea Marley, is all about finding color in the winter landscape - a fun way to brighten up some gray winter days.

Marie is also a Literary Agent at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (jdlit.com) in NYC.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I admit I'm partial. This is my debut novel. :)

[Cherylann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the deal - I read A LOT of YA (okay, maybe not this summer, but overall I read a lot of ya). Some YA appeals more to adults than to kids, some appeals to both, and some YA is totally just for it's intended audience. This is a book that I know my students - specifically my girls - will LOVE. Looking at the book through the lens of a teenaged girl, this would probably be a five star review. I really like that Sang is a strong female protagonist. I also like that she is brown. While I've been happy to see more LGBT characters in YA, I'm still not seeing many protagonists of color in fiction. I also like the voice in this novel. The first person narration really grabs the reader and pulls her right into the story. For a teen, this is a great summer read, and I am looking forward to reading the next installment in Sang's life.

[Tokiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Meant by Marie Lamba is a book about a 15 year-old girl named Sang going through what she thinks is too much for her to handle. That her life was out of control and that things were falling apart.

A teenage girl named Sang was having a good life- except for the fact that her aunt, Chachi, is living with her and her family since her brother, Hari, moved out for college. Her dad thought it would be a good idea because he would be helping family. Sang? Not so much. At first, she didn't mind having her there because it was like having another Hari there. But soon, she found out that she would be her worst nightmare.

She had a best friend named Gina who helped her out with all sorts of problems- including the one where, for the first time, a boy actually liked her. She finally had him under her wings, but when another girl was tyring to talk to him also, Gina became mad that Sang was sitting there letting it happen, so Gina befriended her because she was tired of watching her being stepped on all the time.
She finally had Jason all over her again and was invited to go to a concert with the boy of her dreams. When she saw her once friend, Gina leaving, she tried to help and got off the train. She was suprised to see why Jason didn't come after her....

I think it's a good book because it teaches kids/teenagers to not give up at making something happen and not run away from their problems things could just work out. I also like the message it gives to not think a relationship could last forever.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have two big questions. One: What changed Dad's mind? He was all "My daughter brings shame to my family!" And then he's all, "No one would steal your stuff, Kajal." Two: Kajal/Chachi bloodies Sangeet's nose during a religious ceremony in a holy place, and the whole family takes Kajal to dinner where they wait on her hand and foot. But Kajal calls the mom a slut and that's the straw that breaks the camel's back? Don't get me wrong, I in no way agree with Kajal, nor do I think she should have brought it up in public, and I especially don't think she should have brought it up in front of their 8-year-old daughter. And I'm impressed with Sang's restraint; I would have gotten in Kajal's face with the pointing finger and been all, "No one talks about my mother that way, and no one talks that way in front of my little sister." Sangeet just threw a pickle. What I don't get is why name-calling is considered a worse offense than child abuse. Based on my limited understanding of Indian culture and history, combined with Kajal's unfabulous upbringing, I can see where Kajal might think such behavior is just punishment (I don't agree, but I can see her perspective); I just can't see how her parents could be okay with that kind of assault. That said, I love Sang's relationship with her little sister, I totally understand her frustration with her family, and I thought this was an enjoyable, entertaining read. I'm just still stuck on those two questions…

[Winnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a book about a teenage girl that is going through a lot in her life right now. her parents think she is bulimic; which she is not . and her aunt that came from india is ruining everything. her aunt gets her in trouble and lies about things that 'sangeet' [ the girl ] didnt do . and also a guy that she likes and the boy likes her too. so she gives him and chance and goes with him to the concert. but then he doesnt care about her and stays on the train to the concert when sangeet sees her bestfriend in the train station trying to runaway from home. and DUDE. SERiOUSLY. THE GUY ASKED HER GUY TO THE CONCERT. AND HES TELLING HER TO PAY HIM BACK FOR THE CONCERT TICKET. WHAT KIND OF GUY IS THAT. -.-
its a interesting booook (:

[Clarence :P · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if your Evil Aunt moved in? If your best friend suddenly hates you? If your own parents don't believe a single word you say? If you're Sangeet, you'd try to fix it.
Sangeet, or Sang, is 15. She's half Eastern-Indian and half American,("exotic" as her long-time crush, Jason, has said). Sang's la-di-da life changes drastically, but she discovers things that are better unhidden and learns just how strong she can be.
This comedy about a teenage girl navigating her crazy life is happy and funny on the outside, but the morals are actually pretty deep. Enjoyable, meaningful, and comical, there's no reason why you shouldn't read this book!

[Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a light hearted and hilarious read! I could totally relate to her Indian heritage and strict parents (not in all ways but in some like school) LOL! It had me laughing and it was truly enjoyable! Her thoughts, how her life got messed up were hilarious and sad and how she scrambled to fix them. It was such a perfect book it's really summarized the feelings girls go through whilst growing up and running into various dilemmas and saying one thing but meaning another like with Jason, her best friend, and her parents overreacting! Perfectly awesome

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was really good. i was surprised how relateable it really was, everything from the girl's personality to the locks on her door-- were exactly like mine. It takes place in Doylestown, which is really cool because it mentions Planet Smoothie and IceWorld Skating rink, two places i know about fairly well. I liked this book alot, it was funny, cute and also a bit annoying--the aunt, not the book. I really want to read more by this author now.

[Janelle Kranz · Rating 4 out of 5]

as I got this book I got this book at a workshop that I met Mrs. Lamba at. She shared with us some of her experiences, and we got this book. Once she read some passages from the book, I was hooked. I am about 3/4 of the way through, and so far I'm loving it. I'll write more after I finish the story. :)

[Kimiko-K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ongoing gag was how the (real)evil-aunt tried & succeeded in sabotaging the main character & how she and her younger sister set to stop her & reveal her true identity to their parents. You'll also learn that your so-call 'Best friend' may not turn out to be so 'Best' afterall, esp in comparison & forgiving stuffs.

[Callen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good. I was reading it for my Multicultural book. It had to be a book about another country.I taught me a lot about India that I didn't know. This girl Sang had a very complicated life! From aunts who steal your families money and blame it on you, to best friends who run away!!! Pretty good!

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I met this author because then I bought the book and it was awesome. Multi-cultures make for great reading and the family relationships ring true. Loved the mix of family conflict, touch of mystery/intrigue, dab of romance and dash of humor. All combined for engaging reading. Excited to read more by the author and to book talk the book to my students.

[Jeevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazingly good! I loved this book. It is another one of my top faves. It is a must read book. This book is about an Indian girl and how her life changed when her aunt came to live with her. You will see the tough times she has had with her family.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my second favorite book ever. ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY WONDERFUL!! held my attention. i was very dissapointed when it ended. and even more when i found out that the author didnt write anymore books. So Marie Lamba, if your reading this: WRITE MORE BOOKS PLEASE!

[jessica chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book. its very funny, and i think that sometimes life can change very fast, and the boy that you love, is a total idiot and jerk. Love can be right under our noses. ;)
i heart dis book

[Angelstar Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a really funny book!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad ending

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like books that include aunts stealing from their nieces and sister in laws, you'll like this one!

[Parisa]

I haven't read it yet, but it's my sister's 2nd favorite book, so I think it'll be pretty good.

[Saloni]

This book rocks!!!! i <3ed it!!

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is more of a teen book. But i still enjoyed it.

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very unique.

[Amberwright]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter is loving this book!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This girl was making so many mistakes I was getting anxious. I wanted to yell at her to think first.

[Karyn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things don't always go the way you want them to go or the way you planned them to go.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dear friend wrote this and wrote it beautifully!!

[Jocelyn Dupee]

It was a really goood boook

[Jill Mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very entertaining book!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters cunning and mysterious...