Reviews
“Japan Took the J.A.P. Out of Me: The True Story of a Domesticated Princess. In her debut memoir, Beverly Hills native Cook takes an honest look at the life of a young, privileged, Jewish woman who relocates to Japan with her new (American) husband, leaving the life she knows behind-largely spent out with friends, shopping, eating, or abusing nail salons and spas. Suddenly, she's immersed in a world she doesn't understand, from the language to the housework to the friendships. Much is made of her severed relationship with her best friend Stacey, but before long, Cook lands some teaching jobs, meets friendly co-workers and a few enthusiastic students, and finds her relationship with her new husband blossoming. Through her struggles, Cook offers a genuinely funny and honest fish-out-of-water narrative without ever veering into broad or tone-deaf territory (not after the title, anyway). (Oct.)”
- Publishers Weekly
“A Taming of the Shrew-esque kvetch fest replete with moments both tender and hilarious.”
- Heeb
“A great read for any married woman”
- Readaholic
“Funny and engaging, Japan Took the J.A.P. Out of Me: The True Story of a Domesticated Princess reads like a mix of chicklit, travelogue, and memoir…. Lisa Fineberg Cook doesn’t pull any punches – she is as harsh towards herself as she is to her new acquaintances, which makes for an entertaining narrative.”
- Starting Fresh
“Honest and fresh…You wish you could be [Cook’s] BFF in Japan!”
- Chicks with Books
“A light easy fun read, and a laugh to the last page”
- The Life (and Lies) on an Inanimate Flying Object
“Hilarious … fast paced, and full of insight.”
- The Neverending Shelf
“Hilarious, self-deprecating and honest…. a promising debut, and I am hoping for a sequel from Lisa Fineberg Cook.”
- Just Another New Blog
“An interesting look at culture clash and the sometimes difficult adjustment to married life…a light and fun read.”
- Book N Around
“I was actually laughing outloud at many point….Lisa Cook writes her story in such a way that I found myself totally engaged in her year in Japan…. I only wish that I could have read more about her second year in Japan.”
- So Many Books, So Little Time
“From her arrival in Japan to the end of the book, Lisa’s quest to get along in her new surroundings will having you laughing. A definite must read.”
- Keep on Booking
“Recommend it to anyone who needs a few laughs.”
- Reading at the Beach
“A fast-paced, witty, fun, and easy read … she really does get across what it feels like to be an ex-patriot … an extremely enjoyable read that I literally could not put down.”
- Brizmus Blogs Books
“An easy read and a great way to spend a few hours.”
- I Read
“Cook’s descriptions of her experiences in Japan were so vivid that there were times I could really picture the scenes even though I’ve never been to Japan…. I hope Cook writes a second book about the second year.”
- My Book Views
