Camy Tang's Sushi for One? ~ Reviewed

Sushi for One?

Camy Tang

Paperback: 346 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (September 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310273986
ISBN-13: 978-0310273981

Click for a two-part interview with Camy.

Book Description: Lex Sakai's family is big, nosy, and marriage-minded. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the oldest single female cousin in the clan.

Lex has used her Bible study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the perfect man. But the one man she keeps running into doesn't seem to have a single quality on her list. It's only when the always-in-control Lex starts to let God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.

My Review:

I always feel a little nervous when I crack open a book written by someone I know, someone I've bantered with and traded wise cracks with and someone I really like as a person.

What if I don't like the book?

What will I say?

Fortunately, Sushi for One, will not leave me scrambling to be gentle yet truthful. Camy Tang is adorable, funny and sweet, and those qualities come through loud and clear in Sushi for One.

I love the cultural feel with unfamiliar language, customs, scents and tastes. I'm a big fan of Amy Tan and am currently reading Memoirs of a Geisha. Tang takes the culture and adds a sassy Americanized spin with Lex, her thirty-year-old heroine. Lex is obsessed with volleyball, and though I don't even come close to caring about that sport, I didn't get pulled away from the story or annoyed with the many references. The Chick-Lit third person feel of the story created intimacy with Lex and made it easy to cheer her on.

Spiritually, Tang tossed in some very real-life situations exploring religion vs. authentic Christianity. The drama of dating and girlfriends/cousins brought loads of "yuck" moments and chuckles. In the end, I felt certain that Lex was on the road to recovery in many different ways.

I recommend Sushi for One to those who love cultural reads, Chick-Lit, and light, fun humor packed with truth.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer