📚Get booked for the summer
Plus: The news of the week — BofA Stadium renovation proposal revealed; 'Excessive' credit card charges at Aldersgate; Panthers preseason schedule announced; County tax rate hike approved
Good morning! Today is Saturday, June 8, 2024. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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Summer reads: Dive into these recommended must-pack books for your vacation
Compiled by Lindsey Banks
As temperatures rise and vacation plans take shape, there’s one essential item to pack for the summer season: a good book.
But where to start? A novel about befriending an octopus to solve a missing person case? A memoir about transitioning from Hootie & the Blowfish to a solo country music career? A steamy second-chance romance between old high school sweethearts who have traumatic pasts?
With the help of local libraries and bookstore owners, we’ve curated a list of reading recommendations that are sure to keep you busy this summer. We’ve even included some recommendations of our own.
📕From Sally Brewster, owner of Park Road Books…
“The Wealth of Shadows” by Graham Moore: (historical fiction) In this historically accurate tale of economic warfare during World War II, a U.S. Treasury employee devises a plan to thwart Hitler by drying up his financial resources.
“I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger: (dystopian) In a near-future America controlled by billionaires where reading is obsolete, a man named Rainy embarks on a perilous sailing journey to find his wife’s spirit after her murder, encountering rare acts of kindness and discovering hope along the way.
“Sipsworth” by Simon Van Booy: (fiction) An elderly widow named Helen finds renewed purpose and connection in her life after befriending a mouse she accidentally brings into her home, leading her to engage with her community and rediscover the will to live.
“The Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley: (sci-fi) A British civil servant working on a secret mission to help time-traveling expats falls in love with Lt. Graham Gore, a charming Victorian naval officer transported to 21st-century London, blending historical intrigue, romance, and a playful exploration of time’s impact on love and life.
“Life’s Too Short: A Memoir” by Darius Rucker: (memoir) Darius Rucker recounts his journey from founding Hootie & the Blowfish to becoming a solo country music star, detailing his rise to fame, collaborations with legendary artists and personal battles, all told through the music that shaped his life.
“This Summer Will Be Different” by Carly Fortune: (romance) Toronto florist Lucy Ashby and Prince Edward Island native Felix Clark navigate a secret romance over five years, complicated by Lucy's best friend Bridget's disapproval. Their relationship intensifies as they work together to find Bridget before her wedding.
📗Librarians from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System recommend…
“Funny Story” by Emily Henry: (romance) Daphne, left in Michigan with a dream job but no friends or family after her fiancé Peter fell for his childhood best friend Petra, becomes roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles, forming an unlikely friendship and a plan to fake a relationship to make their exes jealous.
“An Immense World” by Ed Yong: (nonfiction) Ed Yong explores the unique sensory experiences of various animals, revealing how creatures like beetles, turtles and fish perceive the world through senses beyond human capability.
“Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera: (mystery/thriller) After being found covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood with no memory of the incident, Lucy, once a golden girl in her Texas town, moves to LA to start over but is compelled to return when a hit true-crime podcast reopens the investigation into Savvy’s murder, forcing her to confront the possibility that she might be the killer.
“A Happier Life” by Kristy Woodson Harvey: (Southern fiction) Coming out on June 25, Keaton Smith, seeking a fresh start, discovers hidden family secrets in her mother’s childhood home in Beaufort, N.C., while in 1976, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James, renowned for her legendary summer suppers, faces a life-changing dilemma, with both women’s stories intertwined through the historic house that has sheltered their family's secrets and dreams for generations.
“Starter Villian” by John Scalzi: (sci-fi/fantasy) Charlie, a divorced substitute teacher dreaming of opening a pub, unexpectedly inherits his long-lost uncle Jake’s supervillain business and must navigate a dangerous new world filled with real supervillains and corporate predators, all while aided by unionized dolphins, a hyper-intelligent spy cat and a formidable henchperson.
“Out on a Limb” by Hannah Bonam-Young: (romance) Winnifred “Win” McNulty, fiercely independent despite her limb difference, faces an unexpected challenge after a one-night stand with charming stranger Bo, leading them to navigate a new friendship and the unforeseen complexities of their evolving relationship.
📙From Lee Rathers, owner of Book Buyers…
“The Club” by Ellery Lloyd: (thriller) A gripping thriller set amidst the glitz and glamour of the exclusive Island Home club launch party, where tensions rise, secrets unravel and the body count climbs, leaving members trapped in a deadly game with no way out.
“Same Beach, Next Year” by Dorothea Benton Frank: (Southern fiction) One enchanted summer sparks a lifelong bond as two couples reunite on the picturesque Isle of Palms, their enduring friendship tested by time, tragedy and unexpected attractions.
“One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston: (romance) August’s cynical worldview is challenged when she encounters Jane, a captivating girl on the subway who seems displaced from the 1970s. As their connection grows, August finds herself drawn into a magical, time-defying romance, leading her to confront her own beliefs and rediscover the power of love.
“Such A Fun Age” by Kiley Reid: (fiction) Alix Chamberlain’s carefully curated world is shaken when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is racially profiled while watching Alix’s child. Determined to make amends, Alix’s efforts to help Emira uncover unexpected truths about both women’s lives, leading to a collision of privilege, race and identity that challenges their perceptions of themselves and each other.
“Under the Bridge” by Rebecca Godfrey: (true crime) Delves into the tragic 1997 murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk by eight of her peers. Based on six years of research and interviews with the accused, the book offers profound insight into the social tensions that precipitated the crime and the minds of teenage killers.
📘Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks recommends…
“Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng: (dystopian) Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner, living quietly with his father after his mother, a banned Chinese American poet, mysteriously disappeared, embarks on a quest triggered by a cryptic drawing, leading him through folktales, an underground network of librarians, and ultimately to New York City to uncover the truth about his mother and the future.
“Seven Days in June” by Tia Williams: (romance) Eva Mercy, a single mom and bestselling erotica writer, unexpectedly reconnects with her teenage love, reclusive literary author Shane Hall, at a literary event, reigniting past traumas and their undeniable chemistry, while they navigate their rekindled relationship and unresolved issues over a steamy Brooklyn summer week.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt: (mystery) Tova Sullivan, working the night shift at an aquarium to cope with her husband’s death and her son Erik’s mysterious disappearance years ago, forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus, who uses his keen intellect to help Tova uncover the truth about her son's vanishing before it’s too late.
For more book recommendations, you might also check out…
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s beach read list
The Charlotte Observer’s list of 16 books by Charlotte authors
Previous Ledger lists of book recommendations:
“Read local: Top books by Charlotte or N.C. writers” (Dec. 11, 2021)
“Read local this summer: New books by N.C. writers” (June 11, 2022)
📙Have an idea for a great summer read? Paying Ledger members are invited to drop a title in the comments.
Today’s supporting sponsor is SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
This week in Charlotte: N.C. schools starting early; New airport overlook opens; Family Dollar signals sale; Novant purchase moves forward
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
More schools starting early: (WFAE) School boards in 29 of the state’s 115 districts have voted to start school before the last week of August, in violation of state law. Many districts want to start earlier, but the tourism industry has successfully pushed to require public schools to open in late August. Just 15 started early last year.
Graduating seniors visit old elementary schools: (Ledger) Many Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school seniors revisited their elementary school in caps and gowns for a “senior walk” this past week, inspiring younger students and reconnecting with former teachers before their upcoming graduation.
Politics
BofA Stadium renovation proposal: (Ledger) Charlotte is proposing to use $650M in public funds from tourism taxes to help renovate Bank of America Stadium, with Tepper Sports & Entertainment covering the remaining costs. The Ledger this week also looked deeper into the economic effect of sports stadiums in a special edition of our podcast and compared the proposal with other recent NFL stadium deals (🔒). We also answered dozens of questions about the deal from our community of paying members.
County budget approved: (Fox 46) Mecklenburg County commissioners unanimously approved a $2.5B budget that fully funds public school requests, gives employees raises and spends money on priorities including health and homelessness. It raises taxes by 1 cent per $100 of valuation, or about $38 a year on a $400,000 home.
Local news
Aldersgate’s ‘excessive’ credit card charges: (Ledger 🔒) North Carolina regulators found that Aldersgate retirement community employees made excessive and questionable credit card purchases, including travel, alcohol and gift cards.
New airport overlook: (Ledger) Charlotte Douglas International Airport has opened a renovated overlook where visitors can watch planes, explore a retired military jet and enjoy two playgrounds, with amenities including picnic tables, restrooms and a food truck area, all available daily for free from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Business
Family Dollar signals possible sale: (Ledger 🔒) Dollar Tree is considering selling or spinning off Family Dollar, following 970 store closures and a strategic review, to focus more on its core brand. Family Dollar was founded by Charlotte businessman and philanthropist Leon Levine.
Novant purchase gets green light: A federal judge declined the Federal Trade Commission’s request to block Novant Health’s purchase of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Davis Regional Psychiatric Hospital. The ruling permits Novant to proceed with the acquisition.
Sports
Panthers preseason schedule: (Panthers) The Carolina Panthers announced their preseason lineup Tuesday, with their only home preseason game on Aug. 17 against the New York Jets.
Baller of an uptown condo: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has purchased a $2.47M uptown condo from former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Newton bought the 3,300 s.f. condo in the ritzy Trust building on South Tryon Street for $2.1M in 2015. (Ball was seen Go-Karting on the roof of the condo in a video posted to X this week.)
From the Ledger family of newsletters
City gives official word on future of Silver Line: Local leaders are reportedly shifting the focus from rail projects to bus rapid transit to secure approval for Charlotte's overall transit plan, potentially scrapping the Silver Line light rail segment between uptown and Matthews.
Plus: A special ring for Charlotte’s new bishop
Wednesday (🔒)
Will online worms hook local fishermen? Despite Walmart’s new live bait delivery service promising quick drop-offs, local bait shops like Perry’s Market and Jim’s Grocery Bait & Tackle in the Charlotte area report steady sales and loyal customers.
Plus: Real Estate Whispers column on UDO changes (🔒); Airport slips in international passenger rankings
Friday (🔒)
🎧 New podcast: On a recent episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, SouthPark Community Partners’ CEO Adam Rhew outlines an ambitious vision plan for SouthPark, aiming to transform the area with transportation improvements and vibrant public spaces.
Futbol Friday: As the team dietitian for Charlotte FC, Alicia Fogarty ensures the nutritional needs of players are met while fostering a sense of community and home through diverse and innovative meal options.
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Anyone have summer book recommendations?