Not My Father's Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming, 304 pages

"Not My Father's Son" is a memoir by actor Alan Cumming.  I listened to it, which was great because it was read by Alan Cumming.  What a voice.

The memoir alternates between "Then" which is Cumming's childhood and "Now" which was 2010, when he appeared on the BBC genealogy show "Who Do You Think You Are."  The show focused on the mystery of Cumming's maternal grandfather, Tom Darling, who was a decorated WWII veteran, who never returned to his family after the war.

At the same time the BBC show was in production, Alan was dealing with a more recent family secret regarding his abusive father.  This is a book of pain and more importantly recovery.  I highly recommend this book.

Home Front by Kristin Hannah 388 pages

This was a very moving book.  Jolene and Tami have been friends since they joined the Army and together became helicopter pilots in the Army National Guard.   They are neighbors, friends, mothers and wives.  They are living the good life until.....Jolene's successful husband tells her he no longer loves her and the two women are deployed.  Talk about having your world tilt!  Jolene's husband Michael has to adjust to being the parent of a teenage daughter (hormone alert!) and a 5-year-old daughter getting ready for kindergarten.  He is also trying to defend a young marine suffering from PTSD who killed his wife. All the while Jolene and Tami are flying missions, getting shot at and trying to make those at home believe everything is "fine".  Then tragedy strikes.  Jolene and Tami's helicopter is shot down.  Not everyone survives and no one will ever be the same.  This book will make you appreciate the dedication of the men and women who put their lives on the line for us everyday. Kleenex warning!