Chronik der Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der letzten Tage in der Schweiz: 1850 bis 2003. Editor: Christian Gräub

This was a book that I had been reading on and off for a period of about two years, and covers the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Switzerland from 1850 (when proselyting first began in Switzerland) to 2003. It is a very informative and detailed account, outlining specific important dates in the history of the Church in Switzerland, and is a highly valuable history resource.

I ended up buying this book while I was serving as a missionary for the Church between 2005 - 2007. It was my aim to get myself educated on how the church began to be established there, and to learn about the many missionaries that had gone before me. I was interested to learn that many of the harships I experienced on my mission were similar challenges these pioneers had to face as well, and taught me to appreciate the sacrifices that those early missionaries made, so that the Church could continue to grow and flourish in this beautiful country.

Unfortunately, the book is only available in German, so the book is restricted mainly to a German-speaking audience. It is nonetheless a highly recommended read for anybody (in particular members of the Church) who are interested in learning about the development of the Church in other countries.

Bringing Reuben Home by Glenda Millard

Image taken from www.allenandunwin.com

Looking on the surface, life seems almost perfect in the city of New Carradon. But looking deeper into the workings of the government, there are sinister things happening within its domed enclosure. Nobody is allowed to enter or depart the city. You are not allowed to choose who you can marry; you can only marry those who the government dictates is "compatible", and who is issued with a certified Genetic Compatibility Licence. And you are not allowed to live beyond the age of eighty. Those who approach this age, regardless of how healthy they are, are promptply euthanized on the eve of their eightieth birthday in a ceremony called a "cessation".

Reuben Gilchrist is fast approaching his own cessation ceremony, but refuses to give in to this senseless and inhumane tradition the government has instituted. He convinces his granddaughter Cinnabar and her friend Judah to find a way to smuggle him outside, where he can live to the age he is supposed to live for, and to also bury the ashes of his deceased wife in Old Carradon, where they had both originally came from. It is only days before the cessation, so Cinnabar and Judah have to quickly figure out a way to get Reuben safely out of the city, before it is too late...

Just for the record, I am NOT a fan of Science Fiction novels, but I found this one to be quite enjoyable. What intrigued me most about this book was the discourse it addresses on the value of human life: Who are we to decide who is most compatible with whom? Who are we to determine a definite age span for all? Do we have the right to meddle with people's personal decisions? These were the thoughts that generated in my head as I was reading the book, and it was good to ponder and reflect on those questions.

Glenda Millard accurately captures Cinnabar's and Judah's suspense as they race against time to rescue Reuben from his impending fate. Action-packed until the very end, you will not want to put this book down.

I recommend this book to both science fiction fans and non-science fiction fans everywhere.