"The Women" by Kristin Hannah dominated our bookshelves this year, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's most checked-out books in 2024.

Why it matters: Reading is cool. Tell a friend.

State of play: Here are Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's top 10 most checked-out books in 2024, in order of popularity:

• "The Women" by Kristin Hannah
• "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston
• "The Heaven Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride
• "Funny Story" by Emily Henry
• "None of This Is True" by Lisa Jewell
• "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett
• "The Exchange: After The Firm" by John Grisham
• "A Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese
• "The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden
• "The Edge" by David Baldacci

What they're saying: "I started reading to get off social media at night. I've read more books [in 2024] than I've ever read in my life and I won't be turning back," Axios Charlotte reader Sinead P. tells us.

Books our readers loved in 2024

There are at least 18 highly anticipated restaurants and bars opening in Charlotte this year, including:

🥃 Chief's: The NoDa cocktail bar by the accomplished Charlotte mixologist Bob Peters will open on Jan. 4.

🍽 Dogwood: A restaurant owned by Kim and Jon Dressler will reopen on Jan. 22 in a new space inside The Westin in Uptown.

😋 La Lima: A fast-casual Peruvian sandwich restaurant will bring international fusion flavors to South End later this month.

☕️ Knowledge Perk Coffee: A South Carolina-based coffee shop opening in The Alley at Latta Arcade this month.

More anticipated openings

It's time for a Duke's Mayo bath — a quirky celebration associated with the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Uptown.

Why it matters: Duke's Mayo Bowl, put on by the Charlotte Sports Foundation and previously known as the Belk Bowl, draws tens of thousands of people to Charlotte every winter.

State of play: Virginia Tech takes on Minnesota tonight at Bank of America Stadium.

If you go: The game kicks off at 7:30pm and will air on ESPN. Gates open at 6pm. Tickets start at $80.

• Fan fest starts at 1pm outside the stadium along Mint Street, Graham Street and Brooklyn Village Avenue. There will be live music, food and drinks, a kids zone and tons of mayo.

How to avoid pricey parking

🏈 Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn is going to his first Pro Bowl. The former South Carolina Gamecock was drafted by the Panthers in the first round in 2021. (WBTV)

🚨 CMPD says it is taking additional security measures surrounding the Duke's Mayo Bowl following the terrorist attack in New Orleans that resulted in postponing the Sugar Bowl.

🚙 Mobile driver's licenses are coming to North Carolina this summer. (WBTV)

📣 Gov. Josh Stein announced five executive orders to increase temporary housing and expedite bridge and road repairs in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

• Stein also created a new recovery office: The Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC).

🎞 Dee Snider, Twisted Sister's lead singer, is launching a film production company in North Carolina. (🔒CBJ)

🏀 Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball currently leads Eastern Conference guards with 947,444 fan votes for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco, per a press release.

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Construction Administrator at Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte. 
2. Director of Client Relations at Social Ape Marketing.
3. Senior Staff Accountant at Duke Mansion & Lee Institute.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board. 

Hiring?Post a job.

New year; new things to do. Here are some of January's biggest events to put on your calendar.

🎭 Jan. 7-Feb. 2: "Hamilton" at Belk Theater.

🎪 Jan. 17-19: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The Greatest Show on Earth at Spectrum Center.

🎉 Jan. 18: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade in Uptown.

🎶 Jan. 22: DaBaby & Friends at Spectrum Center.

🏀 Jan. 27: Hornets vs. Lakers at Spectrum Center.

Plus over 25 things to do this weekend

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• $20 Sale at Nothing New now until Jan 5: Shop hundreds of vintage and secondhand items, all priced at $20 and all buy 2 get 1 free. Knit sweaters, jeans, jackets, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more. Coffee, craft beer, and food also on site.
• Hornets Pride Night at Spectrum Center Jan 7: It's Pride Night at the Hive when the Hornets take on the Suns. $24.47+.
• Charly Lowry at Cain Center for the Arts Jan 10: Seamlessly traversing musical boundaries, Charly Lowry masterfully blends elements of Americana, folk, rock, blues, and soul into a rich and evocative tapestry of sound. $25-$45.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board. 

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

If buying a home is one of your 2025 goals, here are a few hot homes to check out, including this gem in Fourth Ward (314 W 10th St.).

• The 3-bed, 3-bath home is going for $499,000.
• Notable features: hardwood floors, fireplace, open floor plan, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closet, soaker tub, built-in shelving and seating, garage and deck.

Check out more hot homes

In 2022, I visited my first airport lounge. It transformed my airport experience and I consider it the one nice grown-up thing I treat myself to.

Why it matters: Lounges offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the airport — whether you have a long layover or you want to relax before hopping on a flight.

The latest: Delta Sky Club opened at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in December 2024. It spans 14,165 square feet and has 246 seats. It's in the new section of Concourse A near gate A 38.

Here are other lounge options at CLT:

✈️ The Club CLT in Concourse A.

🧳 American Airlines' Admirals Club has two locations: Concourse B and C/D.

🛫 American Express Centurion Lounge between Concourse D/E.

🇺🇸 USO Lounge in the Atrium for military members and their families.

Full guide