Baker, Elna. The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance. Dutton, 2009. ISBN 978-0525951353 288 pp. $25.95

****
I devoured this laugh-out-loud funny fish out of water story engaging, self-deprecating, and full of character growth. Mormon Elna goes to NYC for college, looking for love and an education. She is memorable, if not always likable, as she dresses in an unfortunate Halloween costume, falls in love with a non-Mormon, and rapidly loses a third of her body weight. I did think the book could have used some tighter editing, but her funny and sporadic lists were a charming addition that detracted from the book’s flaws.