WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS

In this thought provoking novel, two North Carolina families become inextricably intertwined as they - and their small community - try to find a path forward after a complicated and painful past. Alternating between two timelines, the story reveals how the scars of poverty, addiction and loss can endure, but balms can be found in the most surprising places, and with people we’d never expect. This novel is contemporary but draws upon timeless issues of race, marriage and family, while asking uncomfortable questions through complex characters and their fragile relationships with each other.

Did you ever read a novel with a first chapter so perfect it should be a stand alone short story? Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth comes to mind, and I felt the same about What’s Mine and Yours opening. The beginning of this book gutted me, with such tiny, tender details that I felt sure I was standing right in that coffee shop with Ray, Linette and Gee. This story deftly asks - of parents, siblings, spouses, friends - where does the sense of self end and the responsibility to family and community begin? That tenuous space in between is what drew me to these characters and their struggles. This book reminds us that nobody needs to be pushed backward in order for someone else to move ahead - we can all go forward, together.

The earnest, sweet Superfine coffee shop won my heart from the first few pages of this book, and I knew I had to make one of the baked treats sold there. Ray’s devil’s food donuts sounded delicious, but how could I resist his lemon bars with this beautiful cover? This is @inagarten ’s delicious, easy recipe and can be found on @foodnetwork ’s website.