Six days after an "InStyle"-worthy wedding in Los Angeles, Lisa Fineberg Cook left behind her little red Jetta, her manicurist of ten years, and he...
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Jun 11, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
I normally do not read memoirs, but I decided to try this one since it involves the Japanese culture. Generally, I enjoy anything that gives me insight in this culture, and this hilarious novel did just that. The novel take the view point of a young women finding herself immersed in a completely foreign world for the sake of her new husband. This novel is very fast paced, and full of insight.
I have always wanted to visit (and possibly live) in Japan, and I think that I want to do so More...
I have always wanted to visit (and possibly live) in Japan, and I think that I want to do so More...
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Nov 04, 2010
Wendi
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I love memoirs, especially memoirs about traveling to other countries. It started when my Long Distance BFF moved to China for a year. Her blog entries about her adventures were so amazing. The difference between my friend's writing and Lisa Fineberg Cook is the amount of whining from the published author!
J.A.P. stands for Jewish American Princess. I could care less if she was Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, or worshiped Chia pets - Ms. Cook's account of her travels in Japan still make h More...
J.A.P. stands for Jewish American Princess. I could care less if she was Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, or worshiped Chia pets - Ms. Cook's account of her travels in Japan still make h More...
Jul 06, 2010
Jenna
rated it:
My friend recommended this book to me because I am a newlywed and an expat, although in London, not Nagoya. He thought I'd be amused by the stories about doing laundry, particularly as I often complain about the lack of clothes dryers jhere in the UK.
I read this book in just a day, and found myself laughing out loud toward the beginning (I did indeed love the part about laundry) and tearing up toward the end (the themes of homesickness and changing friendships really resonated with m More...
I read this book in just a day, and found myself laughing out loud toward the beginning (I did indeed love the part about laundry) and tearing up toward the end (the themes of homesickness and changing friendships really resonated with m More...
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Dec 13, 2009
Catherine
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Cook is one of those superficial, selfish, spoiled brats that are so ubiquitous, especially in L.A. She travels to Japan with her newly wedded husband, who accepts a two-year teaching position in Nagoya. This book, which probably would have worked better as a blog and only a blog, is truly a whine festival for this annoying young woman. There are some funny moments, but I had a hard time getting over Cook's personality.
Having been to Japan—with immense gratitude that I have been a More...
Having been to Japan—with immense gratitude that I have been a More...
Nov 12, 2009
Harvee
rated it: 
I laughed out loud several times while reading this memoir, in the funny parts at the beginning, when Lisa finds herself puzzled and unable to understand the culture of her new temporary home, Japan.
A newly married and relatively spoilt 30 year old woman, a J.A.P. (Jewish-American Princess), she negotiates her way around her temporary home in Nagoya, Japan, finding out she has to do housework she had never had to do back in L.A. - laundry with an outdated machine, cooking at home, More...
A newly married and relatively spoilt 30 year old woman, a J.A.P. (Jewish-American Princess), she negotiates her way around her temporary home in Nagoya, Japan, finding out she has to do housework she had never had to do back in L.A. - laundry with an outdated machine, cooking at home, More...
Oct 26, 2009
Gaby
rated it:
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. The book is arranged chronologically and into the six main areas of culture shock: Laundry, Cooking, Transportation, Shopping, Cleaning and Intermission.
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. We learn of her frustration a More...
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. We learn of her frustration a More...
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Oct 29, 2009
Audrey
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I tend to enjoy memoirs, especially when they involve Japan. If I had understood how LITTLE this one actually did involve Japan, I probably wouldn't have read it. I went into the book excited to read about the Japanese culture and came out feeling like it could have taken place anywhere. I'm glad that I didn't know it would be like that beforehand, because I probably would have missed out on what turned out to be a great book.
Lisa Fineberg Cook and I have NOTHING in common. Well, ve More...
Lisa Fineberg Cook and I have NOTHING in common. Well, ve More...
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Dec 11, 2011
Eveline
rated it: 
This was boring and emotionally shallow, and I found myself speed-skimming through the last half of it. The most standout problems among many were:
1. Extremely unlikeable narrator. (She talks about being used to getting her way by throwing tantrums, finds it admirable that her best friend scores room upgrades at fancy hotels by talking condescendingly to hotel staff, etc.)
2. No growth. (The supposed growth trajectory is that the narrator goes from being a JAP to having a More...
1. Extremely unlikeable narrator. (She talks about being used to getting her way by throwing tantrums, finds it admirable that her best friend scores room upgrades at fancy hotels by talking condescendingly to hotel staff, etc.)
2. No growth. (The supposed growth trajectory is that the narrator goes from being a JAP to having a More...
Oct 24, 2009
Andrea
rated it:
When I first started reading this, I thought it would be fun to learn about the Japanese culture from an American girl standpoint. I was not expecting it to be as funny as it was! I was actually laughing outloud at many points (and getting strange looks from my boyfriend). Lisa Cook writes her story in such a way that I found myself totally engaged in her year in Japan. I felt like if I were the one in her shoes, I would be doing, saying, and feeling the exact way she did! I have always wanted t
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Nov 02, 2009
Haley
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Summary: Lisa and her husband Peter are newlyweds—like, they were married four days ago—and they are moving to Japan. Lisa tells the first year of her life in Japan, and how she goes from a Jewish American Princess (JAP) with fancy cars and money and really good food to a housewife and a teacher who cooks and cleans. Lisa tells a heartwarming story of the first year of a beautiful marriage and hilarious adventures in Japan.
Thoughts: This book was really cute. I really liked it a lot. More...
Thoughts: This book was really cute. I really liked it a lot. More...
Feb 05, 2012
Karen
rated it:
How many times was I told to write this book. I totally should have. From the viewpoint of someone who moved to Japan and remembers all the little idiosyncracies of the culture, this is very funny. I can't entirely relate to the author as she seems a bit haughty throughout the book, thinking her way is always the best way and the Japanese are laughable. Even when she does finally get it and realizes that there are other views of how things should be done than just her own, I think she still
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May 25, 2010
Lorna
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Having lived for nearly three years in Japan, I am always curious about how other expats dealt with some of the frustrations we encountered, and also what they enjoyed about their experience. Unfortunately, Lisa Cook's attitude completely defined that of the ugly American. For most of the book, she whines and criticizes, judges and complains about the Japanese and their culture. She was a teacher! Why didn't she do her homework before moving there? The only reasons I gave this one two stars was
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Dec 01, 2009
April
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Japan Took The JAP Out of Me By Lisa Fineberg Cook is a memoir about a woman who lives in Japan for a year. She's a stereotypical Jewish American Princess, which is definitely not a bad thing, but it makes for some funny culture show moments.
I thought Lisa was intriguing, in America, she's a social studies teacher which is definitely a plus. I felt she was honest, she didn't shy away from saying things which may be politically incorrect, she was upfront about sex, a More...
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Sep 01, 2011
Anna
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Though sometimes entertaining, and often sincere, this story was fueled by superficial disappointments in a newly married women's life, and the culture of Japan took a very secondary role - it was not completely marginal but the moments of connection with the culture were lost amidst shopping sprees, thwarted shopping sprees and comfort eating. i'm sure its something many many women would immediately identify with, but I wanted more... it feels like the author was on the way to a deeper way of e
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Jun 29, 2011
Don't waste your time reading this book. Cook starts out as a selfish, spoiled princess and ends up after her experience in Japan as a selfish spoiled princess. She whines and complains and I could never figure out what her sweet husband saw in her other than that she was pretty. I kept waiting for her to have some great "ah ha" moment but it never happened. I was surprised that she did have a clue about poetry because she comes across as a shallow nit wit. This book was like a very lo
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Apr 07, 2010
drey
rated it:
I was intrigued by the title of this book, probably because at first look it was like, what? And then it sank in. Upon which I fully expected a witty, humorous read.
And it delivered. Mostly. Don't get me wrong, I laughed out loud at Lisa vs. the washing machine. Lisa on the bus with the PTA wives on a field trip--where sake is served and karaoke is the entertainment. On the bus. And I felt as thrilled as she did when she crosses the four corners crosswalk in Tokyo.
And yet More...
And it delivered. Mostly. Don't get me wrong, I laughed out loud at Lisa vs. the washing machine. Lisa on the bus with the PTA wives on a field trip--where sake is served and karaoke is the entertainment. On the bus. And I felt as thrilled as she did when she crosses the four corners crosswalk in Tokyo.
And yet More...
Jan 11, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
I really liked this. Its a fun read, and pretty quick too, which is about all I have time for right now. And, there is a character named Kai! Not a nice one, but still, found that cute.
I enjoyed her descriptions of living as an expat in Japan, and could identify with some of her feelings. There were a couple TMI (too much information) moments, which I could have done without, but overall, I really liked this book!
I enjoyed her descriptions of living as an expat in Japan, and could identify with some of her feelings. There were a couple TMI (too much information) moments, which I could have done without, but overall, I really liked this book!
Jun 16, 2010
Jane
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Can a spoiled, wealthy, LA girl adapt herself to a greatly pared down version of life in Japan? This question is answered hilariously by Lisa Fineberg Cook. I totally enjoyed this book, which was curiously marred by totally unnecessary information about love making sessions with her husband. One has to wonder how he feels having his every move described in detail?
Aug 13, 2010
Christina
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I bought this book mostly for its title. Japan took the JAP out of someone, meaning, Jewish American princess, sold me instantly. I am not exactly sure when Mrs. Cook was in Japan but it must have been early 90s. I am sure (since I've not been in over a decade) that things in Japan have changed some. This book was mildly humorous but mostly, it bored me. The writer obviously was a spoiled J.A.P. and needed a good swift kick in the you know what. Glad Japan did that for her. Now. Has she
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Aug 01, 2011
Girlkind2oo7hotmail.com
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When I started to read it, I thought that I would learn something useful about Japanese culture. Most of the time, the author complaining about Japanes' life. In the author's view, Japanese people don't enjoy their lives. The author has an unjustify judgment because she puts her thoughts depend on American perspective of the life.
Aug 10, 2011
Kikay Reader
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Japan Took the J.A.P. Out of Me is a memoir written by Lisa Fineberg Cook. I stumbled upon this book in one of my spontaneous Booksale hunting whims. For those not in the know, Booksale is the haven for bibliophiles on a budget. It is a place where the persistent bargain hunter will be rewarded with Php10-finds.
Read the rest of this review at: http://monpetitchous.weebly.com/3/post/2...
Read the rest of this review at: http://monpetitchous.weebly.com/3/post/2...
Nov 11, 2009
Melisa
rated it:
Mostly enjoyable travel memoir. I appreciated the author's perceptive observations. Her characterizations of the Japanese feel nuanced, honest, and thoughtful if not always complementary but her use of ugly stereotypes about Jewish women were infuriating. Also--didn't need the details about her sex life.
Nov 18, 2011
Joanna
rated it:
Made me nostalgic for my time in Japan. I spent the first part of the book being annoyed by what a spoiled brat the author was coming across as, but then I was cheering for her as her experiences in Japan helped her to grow as a person.
Dec 15, 2009
Heather
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Loved this book! I laughed out loud. But what I loved most was Lisa's relationship with her husband. It really makes you appreciate it when you have a supportive and loving significant other.
Jan 12, 2010
Hope
rated it:
I didn't appreciate the excessive whining in the beginning. By the end the author voice was a lot better, and reflects the changes she went through in perspective living abroad.
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May 12, 2011
Garci
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This book was a hoot! I wanted to read it because I am interested in Japanese culture and thought I already knew a lot but I found that I learned a lot. I didn't realize it was a memoir -- I thought it was going to be a novel. So I was pleasantly surprised and quite entertained. I laughed out loud several times (the spa experience was hysterical). Besides the humor, I loved how brave and independent Lisa was, when she ventured out to work and shop in a place where communication is challengi
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Jul 01, 2010
Mrs.
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I enjoyed the parts where she talks about the struggles and triumphs of teaching English to Japanese students and her difficulties navigating the subway. Laugh out loud!
Nov 06, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
Cute and funny, an easy read. It's easy to get a little frustrated with the writer, but the stories she tells of her time in Japan can be very funny.
Aug 15, 2010
cat
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I didn't like this book at first because the author complained so much. However, I came to like her and ended up finishing the book in one day. I was moved by her loving, supportive relationship with her husband. I also learned from her reflections on the atomic bomb museum at Hiroshima when she went there.
I'm also an American woman living in Japan and most of my experiences and observations were different from hers. But that's just me.
I'm also an American woman living in Japan and most of my experiences and observations were different from hers. But that's just me.
Jun 21, 2011
Garwen
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Such a story, tried to read it in one sitting, couldn't put it down. Love her humor and sensitivity.
