The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance

The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance is a memoir that chronicles Elna Baker's experiences as a Mormon living in New York City in her twenties. The title refers to an actual annual dance for Mormon singles that serves as a backdrop for Baker's larger story of faith, identity, and belonging. Baker recounts her navigation between Mormon teachings and the realities of modern dating in Manhattan. Her pursuit of comedy and acting careers while maintaining religious convictions creates tension throughout her journey. Through stories of weight loss, relationships, and career choices, Baker examines the complexities of being a young person straddling two distinct worlds. Her writing balances candid admissions with humor. The memoir raises questions about the intersection of personal beliefs and secular society, and the challenge of maintaining authenticity while evolving as an individual. Baker's experiences speak to universal themes of finding one's place and questioning inherited values.

Readers appreciate Baker's honesty about struggling with Mormon faith while dating in New York City. Many note her self-deprecating humor and ability to discuss serious topics without becoming preachy. Positive reviews highlight: - Authentic voice and relatable experiences - Balance of humor with deeper religious questioning - Engaging storytelling style Common criticisms: - Repetitive dating stories - Uneven pacing, especially in latter half - Some readers found her tone self-absorbed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (120+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "She captures the awkwardness of dating while religious with perfect comic timing" - Goodreads reviewer "The first half had me laughing out loud, but it lost steam" - Amazon reviewer "Her struggles with faith feel genuine, not manufactured for drama" - LibraryThing reviewer Several Mormon readers noted the book resonated with their own experiences navigating faith and relationships.

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🎭 Elna Baker worked as a page at "The Late Show with David Letterman" before writing this memoir about her life as a Mormon in New York City. 🎬 The author lost 80 pounds during the period covered in the book, leading to complex reflections on identity and dating that form a central part of the narrative. 🌟 Baker later became a regular contributor to "This American Life" on NPR and has performed at The Moth storytelling events, building on the comedic writing style she developed in this book. 🎯 The title refers to an actual annual event where thousands of Mormon singles from the tri-state area gather to meet potential partners who share their faith. 📚 Despite being raised Mormon and writing candidly about her faith in the book, Baker later left the LDS Church and has spoken publicly about her journey away from religion.