North Carolina Humanities sends out sends out a monthly newsletter, and the March issue came out last week. One of the articles in this newsletter is titled “North Carolina Reads March Book Club Event.” While reading this article, I realized that I had not yet covered this year’s North Carolina Reads Book Club program in my Storied Charlotte blog. Even though the program launched in February, I decided that the maxim “better late than never” applies in this case.
North Carolina Humanities is again sponsoring its North Carolina Reads Book Club. Now in its fifth year of operation, this program is a statewide book club that meets virtually on a monthly basis. I am a big supporter of North Carolina Reads in part because it fosters a sense of community among the participants. After all, discussing shared texts can bring readers together and bridge cultural differences. Another reason I support this program is that always showcases books that have deep connections to North Carolina. For readers who want to know more about North Carolina Reads, here is the official description of the program:
North Carolina Reads is North Carolina Humanities’ award-winning, virtual, statewide book club! North Carolina Reads annually features five books that explore the history and culture of North Carolina. The people, places, and events in the books offer an opportunity to reflect on how people can contribute to shaping their communities.
From February to June, North Carolina Humanities hosts virtual monthly book club discussion events where participants will hear from book authors and topic experts. Libraries, community groups, and individuals across North Carolina are encouraged to read along with North Carolina Humanities, attend North Carolina Reads book club discussions, and host their own local book programs to further conversation, camaraderie, and community.
Books, reading, literacy, and literary history are important parts of North Carolina Humanities’ mission. At the heart of North Carolina Reads is North Carolina Humanities’ desire to connect communities through shared reading experiences. Reading is vitally important because it nourishes and helps develop our critical-thinking skills, strengthens our minds, expands vocabulary, elevates mental health, and creates opportunities to explore different perspectives.
In 2023 North Carolina Reads received a national Schwartz Prize from the Federation of State Humanities Councils for its outstanding statewide impact. Since 2022, North Carolina Humanities has distributed nearly 16,000 free North Carolina Reads books and resources across the state to help increase broader access to books.
2026 North Carolina Reads Book Club Full Schedule
- February 25, 2026 – Morningside: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul by Aran Shetterly
- March 30, 2026 – Daughters of Green Mountain Gap by Teri M. Brown
- April 28, 2026 – The Devil’s Done Come Back: New Ghost Tales from North Carolina edited by Ed Southern
- May 27, 2026 – The Caretaker by Ron Rash
- June 23, 2026 – Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark by Leigh Ann Henion
Please join us on March 30th at 6:15 for the March book club event. Author Teri M. Brown and historian Dr. Jessie Wilkerson will discuss our March book, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap.
I thank North Carolina Humanities for organizing this program and for drawing attention to these five noteworthy books. I understand that North Carolina Reads is a statewide program, but I take a certain amount of civic pride that the North Carolina Humanities is headquartered in Charlotte. As I see it, Storied Charlotte and the North Carolina Humanities for are a perfect match.