What Charlotte leaders are reading (and recommending)
Here are 9 books to add to your 2026 reading list
Good morning! Lindsey here. Today is Friday, January 2, 2026. As we all ease into 2026, the Ledger team wanted to help with your New Years resolution to “read more” with a few book recommendations. But don’t just take it from us. We asked around town to curate a well-rounded, multi-genre book stack. Feel free to drop a comment or send an email to lindsey@cltledger.com to let us know what book you’re recommending to others in 2026.
📚 Is ‘read more’ one of your New Year’s resolutions? Here are some book recommendations from Charlotte leaders (with a few from Ledger editors sprinkled in).
Every January, we make big promises to ourselves: drink more water, hit the gym more often and — yes — read more books. To help kick-start those good intentions, we asked leaders from across Charlotte a simple question: What did you read in 2025 that you’d recommend to others in the year ahead?
These are books that stuck with people long after the final page — titles that informed their work, challenged their thinking or offered an escape during busy seasons. Some are timely and thought-provoking, others comforting and fun, but all come with a personal stamp of recommendation from people helping shape our city.
So, whether you’re the kind of reader who color-codes a Goodreads list or someone who’s just hoping to finish one book this year, consider this list your permission slip to start where you are. Your 2026 reading stack starts here:
From Crystal Hill, superintendent of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools:
“The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni
Why? “‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ by Patrick Lencioni is a must-read for any leader committed to building high-performing teams. This book has played a pivotal role in advancing our leadership team to a higher level of excellence, resulting in herculean impacts on student achievement. It reminds us that success is not about the destination but the journey, and we continuously strive to strengthen our team to ensure endless possibilities for students.”
From Sharon L. Gaber, chancellor of UNC Charlotte:
“Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works” by A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin
Why? “Our entire senior leadership team read this book and worked on defining strategy and recognizing that there are choices involved in strategy development. It stimulated great conversation and helped refocus the team.”
From Mark Jerrell, chair of the Mecklenburg County Commission:
“The Way Forward: Keeping the Faith and Doing the Work” by Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham
Why? “This book is an honest exploration of leadership, systemic racism and a call to turn conviction into action. It is a thoughtful reflection and a heartfelt tribute to the Malcolm’s sister, and it courageously invites readers into a deeply emotional journey that inspires resilience in the face of tragedy. Rooted in faith, family and a genuine commitment to service, it challenges readers not only to reflect, but to actively engage in the work of building a more just and equitable society.”
From Melissa Hovey, executive director of SHARE Charlotte:
“The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice For An Inspired Life” by Suleika Jaouad
Why? “2025 was a year of a lot of uncertainty so this book (which was a gift) arrived at the perfect time. I am not typically a journaler but I really enjoyed the reflective prompts from a variety of authors and artists. Sitting still is not something I do well but the prompts were really interesting and helpful to think about your past, present and future from different angles. Plus, the health challenges that the author has endured which led her to write this book were inspiring to find beauty, humor and grace in the face of extreme highs and lows. It’s a reminder to us all of what we can endure.”
From Terri White, CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History:
“Washington Black” by Esi Edugyan
Why? “A book I’m looking forward to reading: Earlier in the fall, I was home sick for a few days and ended up binge watching a LOT of television while I recovered. One of the shows I watched was ‘Washington Black’ on Hulu, and although I had MANY notes on some of the creative decisions made in the series, overall I thought the story was a fun ahistorical romp that gets really close to giving steampunk vibes. When I learned the show was based on a book, I decided to add it to my book list since books tend to be better than their cinematic counterparts.”
From Greg Asciutto, executive director of CharlotteEAST:
“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck
Why? “There are few finer settings in American literature than the Salinas Valley, and few authors whose characters allow such intimate explorations of the human condition as Steinbeck’s. My takeaway from this read, or at least how I’m applying it to my professional work, is that no matter how oppressive, historically imbalanced or corrupt the systems we’re sometimes forced to operate in may be, we have the autonomy and power to redefine or leave them. For a one-sit sampler before taking this on, the high school English teacher in me always recommends ‘Of Mice and Men.’”
📚 Bonus! Here are some recs from Ledger editors…
From Tony Mecia, founder and executive editor of The Charlotte Ledger:
“America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War” by H. W. Brands
Why? “This nonfiction history book wasn’t the lightest of beach reads, but it tells the compelling story of the lead-up to the U.S. entry in World War II — which was not at all inevitable and pitted FDR’s and Charles Lindbergh’s visions of America’s role in the world against each other. This fascinating clash of personalities and outlooks from nearly 90 years ago, told through their speeches and letters, resonates today.”
From Ashley Fahey, managing editor of The Charlotte Ledger:
“Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World” by Henry Grabar
Why? “A book about parking — sounds like a snooze, right? Nope. Slate staff writer Grabar’s book about how much our world (specifically Americans’ world) is shaped by parking is entertaining, thought-provoking and insightful. Like it or not, parking drives (excuse the pun) a lot more of the decisions we make on a day-to-day basis than you may realize. I’m admittedly a land-use nerd, but I genuinely believe anyone who parks a car — and a lot of us do in Charlotte — would enjoy this one. Bonus, there are some local references: Charlotte developer Clay Grubb of Grubb Properties is interviewed, and Charlotte parking software company Passport gets a brief mention.”
From Lindsey Banks, assistant editor of The Charlotte Ledger:
“Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez
Why? “I’m not ashamed to admit that in 2025, I primarily became a rom-com reader. You can’t go wrong with any Abby Jimenez book in my opinion, but my favorite from this year (and her newest release) was ‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ — and not just because it’s a Taylor Swift lyric. It’s a sweet, heartfelt, emotional (but sometimes cringy) love story about making relationships work even when is seems like the whole world is against you, and what truly matters at the end of the day. If you’re a deeply sentimental person like me, I highly recommend picking up this fictional book if you also need a brief escape from your real world. Warning: This book includes themes of child and animal abuse and advanced dementia.”
—Compiled by Lindsey Banks
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📚 Related Ledger articles with book recommendations:
“What Charlotte is reading: Top checkouts in 2025” (Dec. 12, 2025)
“10 beach reads, recommended by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff” (June 2025)
“Top books of 2024: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library reveals the most-borrowed titles” (December 2024)
“Get booked for the summer” (June 2024)
“Top books by Charlotte or N.C. writers” (December 2021)
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