The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance by Elna Baker

Synopsis from Publisher:  It's lonely being a Mormon in New York City. Every year, Elna Baker attends the New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance. This year, her Queen Bee costume (which involves a funnel stinger stuck to her butt) isn't attracting the attention she'd anticipated. So once again, Elna finds herself alone, standing at the punch bowl, stocking up on Oreos, a virgin in a room full of thirty-year-old virgins doing the Funky Chicken. But loneliness is nothing compared to what Elna feels when she loses eighty pounds, finds herself suddenly beautiful...and in love with an atheist. 


My Thoughts:  I saw this title reviewed on another blog and was immediately intrigued.  I apologize, I don't remember which one it was so I cannot give them proper credit.  I really should keep track of these things.  


The title immediately jumped out at me and the cover looked fun.  I seem to be on a bit of a memoir streak lately.  This one is one of my favorites.  It is easy to see why Elna is "the funny one" in her family.  Her wit and humor shine through in all of the stories that she tells.  


I know the phrase "coming of age" is terribly over used, but this truly is a journey of self discovery.  Elna experiences the same things that most college age young women do, but she has the added pressure of adhering to the life guidelines imposed by her religion.  She expresses frustration several times leading her to question the guidelines and whether or not she truly wants to live as a Mormon.  

The only thing that I didn't really like about her story was the method she used to lose her weight and the rate at which she lost it.  Eighty pounds in five and a half months is a lot of weight to lose so rapidly.  Her diet included medication and very little food.  I'm not sure what kind of doctor allowed this to happen, but it is not reality and I don't believe that this should ever be attempted.  


The bottom line, Elna is a very funny young lady who has a lot of life ahead of her.  She has written a fantastically humorous account of her life so far. 


For more humor from Elna check out her webpage:  http://www.elnabaker.com/

I received my copy of The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance from the Publisher.  This is my honest opinion of the book.