I have just finished reading The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister, a Seventy. I was confused when many and various people seem to use the Atonement as a magic wand, saying that it would cover or fix just about anything. My basic concept of the Atonement was that it saved us all from death and our sins could be redeemed if we repented and kept the commandments. So I read the book to try and get a better perspective and to try to understand why people said the Atonement will "cover that." Elder Callister summarized the Atonement as resurrection, redemption and exaltation---after all we can do, which reinforced my concept. The conclusion that I came to was that when others say the Atonement will "cover that", they are failing to add, "after all we can do."
This is a well written book with deep perspective but if you read it be aware of the "Perhaps", Maybes, Could Haves" etc. Grammy

Colorado Gunsmoke: True Stories of Outlaws & Lawmen on the Colorado Frontier

The great Rocky Mountains of Co are dotted with many small Mining Towns with colorful histories. This book brings these places to life. One of our family traditions is to bring this book along and read out loud as we are driving through the mountains on a family outing or sitting around the campfire. Occasionally as we are enjoying one of these stories we find ourselves driving through the town where it took place!

You are welcome to come visit us in Colorado and share the experience with us.

-Matt

The Code Book, by Simon Singh

"The Science of secrecy from ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography"

Quite an interesting non-fiction book, this book goes through the history of codes and hiding information. How we used to do it, how we do it now, how it will be done, and how we break it. It explains how information is encrypted today. It can be had off of amazon for about $14, so if you're interested in this kind of stuff, I recommend it

Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

An oldie but goodie. I had never read this classic until recently because I wanted to read first hand the story I grew up hearing. Frankenstein is nothing like I thought it would be. I didn't even know who Frankenstein was! I don't want to give away too much, but this is about the psychologic effects that the creation of a "monster" had on it's maker. Let me know what you thought about it...

A internet review said: As conceived and written by Shelley, Frankenstein was more of a gothic melodrama than a horror story. Considered in its most basic terms, the tale is one of actions and their consequences, and of what happens when man, in his hubris, attempts to usurp the role of God. (http://www.reelviews.net/movies/m/mary_shellys.html)

Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

"One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time"

I loved this book! It's about an expeditionist who attempted to climb K2, got extremely altitude sick on the way down and was saved by a small village on the outer edge of Pakistan. He was so grateful for the kindness and generosity of the village he promised to build their children a school. It then chronicles his stumbling blocks and triumphs and how Middle Eastern culture both helped and hindered his ability to build that school.  He started with the goal of building one school in one village but ended up the head of a foundation to build schools (especially for girls) all over Pakistan and Afghanistan with over 120 schools built to date (and they're still building). This is a true story and I thought it was very inspiring to see what one man with determination can do to make miracles happen and how the right people were put in his path at just the right time to make those miracles happen.

Start of Stewart Study

So we have a lot of book worms and I thought it would be a fun idea to have a place we can share the books we've read, if we like them, basic summary, etc. This way we've got an easy place to look for some good book ideas. Tell me what you think.