Sept. 6. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation 11th annual Verse & Vino — an evening celebrating great writers, great wine and library supporters—will feature New York Times bestselling authors Emiko Jean, Edward Lee and Jessica Shattuck as well as Oscar-shortlisted producer and debut author Essie Chambers.

The evening event celebrates the joy of reading and the importance of libraries and literacy in our community. The event is expected to draw over 1,300 attendees to the Charlotte Convention Center Nov. 7. The event is presented by PNC Bank and emceed by radio celebrity Sheri Lynch.

New this year, Kentucky distillery Heaven Hill will sponsor a bourbon cocktail at the event. The special-edition spirit will be showcased in Edward Lee’s author vignette and book-signing table.

This year’s Verse & Vino welcomes the following authors and their latest books including:

—Emiko Jean with The Return of Ellie Black: a suspenseful page-turner that made horror legend Stephen King call it “a page-turning suspense novel, a shrewd character study, and a captivating mystery, all at the same time. The last fifty pages are magnetic. I couldn’t put it down until I’d experienced every last twist and turn.”

—Edward Lee with Bourbon Land: an ode to his old Kentucky whiskey; celebrated chef and PBS personality Vivian Howard said, “If you think Kentucky whiskey only makes sense in a glass, let Chef Edward Lee’s unmatched prose show you how bourbon eats as good as it drinks.”

—Essie Chambers with Swift River: the debut novel is a Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club pick and was recently longlisted for The Center for Fiction 2024 First Novel Prize.

—Jessica Shattuck with Last House: New York Times called it “a richly detailed, slow-burning family saga distinguished by incisive psychological insight and masterful research.”

Background

Verse & Vino is an annual fundraiser for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation, which supports the CommonSpark campaign including the building of a new Main Library; programs, services, digital and print collections; and a growing endowment for the future needs of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It is presented by PNC Bank, and supported by Honeywell, American Airlines, Southminster, Lowe’s, Rodgers Builders and many other corporations and private individuals.

Quotable

“PNC is excited to continue our longstanding support of Verse & Vino as it recognizes the Library’s important role in improving lives and building a stronger community in Charlotte,” said Weston Andress, PNC regional president for Western Carolinas. “This has become one of our region’s most anticipated events, and all of us at PNC are proud to support it.”

Details

This year, the Library Foundation hopes to raise $600,000 to support the Library’s mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas.

More information about Verse & Vino and this year’s featured authors is available at foundation.cmlibrary.org/events/verse-vino, and tickets can be purchased online or by calling Teleia White 704-416-0803.