Book Review: The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance

Last week I read this funny memoir, really more devouring it, rather than reading. It's the story of a girl who is dealing with weight (and significant weight loss), dating, identity and how to live all that while staying true to her faith. Oh, and at the same time, it is hilarious.

Let's just say it is making a whole lot of sense to me right now.I identify with several with aspects of her story, and it feels good when someone else says some of the things out loud that you've been thinking or wondering.  

The only thing is it totally glosses over the whole weight loss is hard thing. She loses 80 pounds in the span of one chapter (in a unhealthy, but doctor supervised manner it took only 5 1/2 months).  But really, I'm okay with her not dwelling on it, goodness knows I dwell on the "weight loss is hard" theme enough here on this blog.  Plus, then it gets to the meat of the story, which is how she deals with life and dating and her faith after she loses the weight.  

Before she lost the weight, she was always "the funny one." After she lost it, she struggled because she felt like she was losing her funny girl status, but she still wasn't winning the title of "the pretty one" either.  

She ends up falling for an atheist, which really challenges her faith.  I was so engrossed with the struggle that I had a hard time deciding how I wanted the book to end. I certainly didn't want her to give up her faith in order to live happily ever after with the guy.  But he was also so perfect for her and she had to kiss a lot of jerks before she met him that I didn't want her to give him up either.  You'll have to read the book to see which she chooses!

If you have ever tried to stay true to your faith in a faithless world, looked everywhere for love and not been able to find it, tried to figure out who you really are and what you really believe, or been a girl, I think you will love this book. Seriously. I checked it out from the library and had two other people read it while I had it out, because I loved it so much.

Thanks to M.Carter @ the Movies for recommending!