Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious Early Midlife Crisis
Review: A dive into the swirling mind of a truly gifted and original writer. A Year in Van Nuys is like nothing I've read before and madly entertaining. And I do mean madly. This gal is downright cracked, and I LOVE her for it.So, why one star? Sandra Tsing Loh, who lives in "a strange little corner with no rules," might believe that a star-rating label system for the masses is too provincial and I wouldn't want to insult her. (She might also appreciate the tough love, as I certainly did when she recounts her appearance at a writing workshop.) I would give her 365 stars if I could-one for each day of the Year in Van Nuys. From here I'm going straight to the search mechanism to become a computer stalker of her material. Yes, I believe it's that good. She's both arrogant and self-deprecating at the same time. It's a lethal combination and downright brilliant! To anyone reading this review: loosen up, buy this book and laugh with Sandra Tsing Loh. From the Author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life."
Rating: 
Summary: hysterical
Review: After spending uncounted months commuting from my place in suburbia-like Orange County, California to my boyfriend's less than palatial abode in Van Nuys, this book came along. It had me laughing out loud from the first page (the zone-approved turkey) and wiping my eyes at the last. For anyone who's ever thought they should write a memoir, or wanted to be like or murder a sibling, or, heck, anyone who's wondered what the hell's wrong with Californians... this is a great read. Just don't try to read it on your birthday... with a handful of Tylenol PM's.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, Fresh, and Insightful
Review: Don't be mislead by the title into thinking you have to be from, or in (or otherwise inoculated with the sensibility of), California to enjoy this book. Even if you've never stepped foot in California, or have never heard her hilarious and consistently luminous commentaries on NPR, you've just got to read this book! Believe me, if you like David Sedaris, or breathe air, you'll love this book!
Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: Funny, fast-paced, witty and wise. It takes us into the dark night of the not-quite-yuppy soul. Sandra Tsing Loh cuts through the pretentions of our society and holds a warped mirror up to reality. Read this book on the beach, on a plane, but read it.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious -- I wish I could give it MORE than five stars!
Review: Have you ever had the experience of reading a book and, despite the fact that you've never met the author, felt that it was written JUST FOR YOU? Well, that's what reading A YEAR IN VAN NUYS was like for me. Never mind that I've never set foot in Van Nuys; I could relate so much to Sandra, in her mid-30s, her youth passing her by, wondering, where's that novel I should have written -- heck, where's my Oscar? I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh so hard as I was nodding, "Yes, that's so TRUE!" Sandra is the funniest woman in America and you don't have to be a Southern Californian to love this book. I'd place her right up there with David Sedaris, Merrill Markoe and Al Franken in the pantheon of Authors Who Make Me Laugh Hysterically.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: Having grown up in Van Nuys, and being someone who feels perpetually creatively blocked, I have to say that I absolutely adored this book. I kept having to read aloud from it to my boyfriend, or my mom, or whoever I could corner to listen to the hilarity that is contained in this book - it's too good and too funny not to share. I've always enjoyed "The Loh Life", Sandra Tsing Loh's short radio commentaries, but "A Year in Van Nuys" has pushed me over the edge and made me into an official Loh fan.
Rating:
Summary: Are you kidding me?
Review: I am flabergasted that so many people liked this book. I had to force myself to keep turning the pages to get through this whinning drivel, and in the end I regretted not giving up sooner. Most of Sandra's problems appear to be entirely her own fault. She gets too drunk at a Fox party and screws up her sitcom deal. She gets a new editor at her online magazine who doesn't like her style. Welcome to the real world - none of this is special or interesting because it's Van Nuys and the entertainment industry, and not just some shmuck in a cubicle. And here's a shocker - in real life, Loh was fired from her cushy radio commentary job for cursing on the air, and has blamed everyone at the radio station for it. No one feels as sorry for her as she apparently feels for herself.
I like one reviewer's comparison to the comic strip Cathy - this was like having to listen to Cathy complain in complete chapters instead of a few frames. By the end of the book I not only wanted the $5 I paid for it at a used bookseller back, I wanted to personally find this woman and give her a good slap across the face.
Rating: 
Summary: funny, funny, funny
Review: I don't know what took me so long to finally read this book. The cover and title had me intrigued for ages. I also don't know how I survived my San Fernando Valley upbrining without this bible. But, now that I am aware of this authour, I am a devout follower. What a funny, original, in-sightful read this was. Very light and easy to get through but with some really brave, intelligent and all too real observations. Read it in the summer when you'll relate to her misery in the sweltering heat of the story's setting. I'll never attempt to go to the valley without this book again.
Rating:
Summary: I Live at the Beach...Still Found it Funny
Review: I hadn't expected to like this book as much as I did. Just after reading it, I went on a weekend with "the girls" and found myself quoting endlessly from it, including her... ...description of cheap gyms in LA, complete with the ladies in big undies loofaing in the shower ...searingly accurate account of the tossing (and non-tossing) of the conversational ball ...biting critique of You've Got Mail! Okay...so my descriptions aren't funny, but this book is. Buy it. Read it. Claim the funny stuff as your own. I HIGHLY recommend this book and will read her other books as well.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, but not overwhelmingly funny
Review: I have taken an interest in Sandra Loh's writing for a combination of reasons, including that I met her when she was a freshman, that I took a class with her brother, and that I've heard her say some very funny things on NPR. While she can be hilarious at times, at other times her absorption in "The Valley" leaves me yawning a bit. Although a native of Southern California I was born in the other (the San Gabriel) valley, and have never lived in the San Fernando valley. Although I "get" all the local references I don't find them all raucously funny; I can imagine readers unfamiliar with Southern California being completely lost while trying to understand some of her jokes. This latest work starts off with a strong focus on "The Valley" that I didn't find very engaging. Midway through it transitions to a more universal consideration of the perils of aging and the abandonment of youthful expectations and becomes much funnier; it is also poignant at times. This book is amusing and worth reading, but don't go in with excessive expectations.
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