Sushi for One?

I picked this up when it first came out because the title caught my eye. (Where I come from raw fish is "bait", but friendly Yankees helped me learn to appreciate sushi.) Then when I looked it over, I found the premise intriguing enough to purchase but not quite intriguing enough to read because this man's man doesn't usually read romance novels or chick lit,... as far as you know. However, I quite recently gave in and read it, and, boy, am I ever glad that I did! Lex Sakai is a disaster magnet, only some of which she arguably brings down upon herself. She's a control freak, she works in a place and with people that she loathes, she still lives with her family except for her mother who died of cancer, she drives a barely functioning POC, she has the temper not to mention the manners of a drill sergeant, she never dates, her only outlet for pleasure is playing and coaching volleyball, in four months she will officially become the Oldest Single Female Cousin in her extended Japanese-American family, and Grandmother, the (justly) feared matriarch of the clan, has decided that Lex needs to be pushed into getting married and is not above using a little extortion to get her way,... make that a LOT of extortion. Oh, did I also mention that she's a Christian in a family full of Buddhists? And the reason that she doesn't date is that she was raped about 8 years ago, told almost no one, and has yet to fully get over it? As this description suggests, this novel shouldn't be funny at all, but like the similarly cascading disaster of a movie I stole my review title from, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, this novel is relentlessly, uproariously funny, as Lex desperately tries to foil her grandmother's plotting, fend off an endless line of sons, nephews, friends of friends, and other assorted losers, keep her life from spinning even further out of her control, and avoid falling for the one guy who seemingly lacks every quality on her list for an acceptable suitor. But Christians are supposed to give God control over their lives, and when all else fails, and Lex finally decides to try it, all those balls she has been trying and failing to juggle begin to fall into place, just not quite the way she figured. Camy Tang is amazing; when things got the most stessful or moving for Lex, they also got the most hilarious. While reading so many scenes, I laughed 'til I cried.... Well, I didn't actually CRY, of course, man's man and all that you know. Of course it is obvious early on how this is all going to turn out, though not to the protagonists, but the fun comes in how Camy Tang gets us there. She kept me guessing 'til the end. The only bad thing about this novel is the fact that it is the first book in a series; now that I am well and truly hooked, I shall be compelled to read the rest: Only Uni and Single Sashimi, further risking my manly reputation. (sigh) Oh well, at least there's the consolation that they should also be laugh out loud funny and deeply

Bold. Gutsy. Unique. This debut book by Ms Tang is certain to open your eyes to a new culture alive and well and flourishing in gorgeous California. Bringing to life Asian customs, the characters never let you forget you're in the United States, yet the mouth watering descriptions of Oriental foods and the fine examples of dedication to time honored traditions encourage the reader to consider looking up the closest sushi bar in town. Lex Sakai is perfectly happy with her life. Grandma is not. Lex has high aspirations for her life, many of which seem to be falling just within reach. Grandma wants Lex married and pulls all stops to get what she wants. Who will win? With a delightful cast of characters, Ms. Tang introduces us to the worlds of volleyball and physical therapy. Goals, ethics and dreams. Lex is thrown together with strangers, friends and relatives alike in a bizarre competition where the prize appears to belong only to Grandma. Drawing on her Christian faith, Lex juggles the obstacles thrown in her way and just when we think she is down for the count, Lex discovers miracles really do happen when you let go and let God. Excellent read. I look forward to next book in the series.

Lex Sakai is being tortured by her grandmother to find a husband or else her volleyball team will have to suffer. So now Lex has to find a boyfriend in a mere matter of weeks or else suffer the wrath of having no funds for the team. Everyone seems to want to set her up, from the losers her brother keeps pointing her towards to the guys who only want to get her because of her insider info to the latest game. Lex decides there must be a guy who meets every one of her requirements and plans to stick to her Ephesians list. Then she meets Aidan, who is everything NOT on her list, but seems to be everything that she wants. A wonderful story blending chick lit with Asian culture. I have been dying to read this book since I first started visiting Camy Tang's blog. Being an Asian American myself, there are few choices even in mainstream for books written by Asian Americans, let alone in Christian fiction. So when I heard that there was going to be a Christian chick lit book written by an Asian American author, I nearly passed out. And this book definately made all my expectations and more. Even if you're not Asian, you will still be able to follow the story and you get to learn about new cultures as well. Some people might say there's some stereotyping in this book with the Asian culture. Well let me say that we really do act like this. I love how there's a distinction of two different types of Asian cultures in this book and it shows readers that Asian are not one big group to be lumped together. I love how Lex loves sports and is not afraid to let her sports knowledge show. There are lots of hilarious spots in this book, my favorite is cameo of the author herself involving a volleyball accident. However there are serious moments in this book as well which makes this story extremely well written. The book goes from downright hilarity to painful memories within the same chapter. I really felt for Lex in this book and enjoyed her adventure. The only negative thing I have about this book, and I'm sorry, but I don't like the grandmother. Why does she want to force Lex to get married? All her insults were really spiteful and I don't blame Lex at all for what she does near the end of the book. I'm hoping we learn why she acts like this so that I don't hate her for the rest of the series. And yes I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out. An excellent debut, a wonderful cultural chick lit novel and an inspiration to aspiring Asian Americans writers!

I loved this book. It was unique in all ways. It had a crazy grandma, volleyball, and four Christian cousins in a family of Buddhists. The series of books will focus on one cousin each with the others playing supporting roles in each others main story. I really enjoyed learning about another culture in this wonderful deep chick lit debut novel by Camy Tang. I highly recommend it. I can't wait for the second book in the series coming in February 2008.

Camy Tang's debut novel is a well written, funny story about an Asian girl, trying to get her life in order with a lot of dependence on faith. What is best about this book is the level of characterization Camy Tang demonstrates in her characters. Multi-layered, with deep inner conflict, goals and motivations, the reader can't help but be pulled into Lex's life, rooting for her every page of the way!