The Chicago Public Library has unveiled its pick for the 2025 One Book, One Chicago program: "Olga Dies Dreaming" by Xochitl Gonzalez, marking the first time a Puerto Rican author's work has been chosen for the citywide read. The novel, a pointed examination of the American dream through the lives of two Latino siblings grappling with family secrets and political corruption, caught the attention of library officials and cultural leaders for its thematic resonance with Chicago's civic heartbeat. According to the ABC7 Chicago report, Library Commissioner Chris Brown highlighted the book's timely exploration of activism, community engagement, and the complexities of political families, drawing parallels to Chicago's own storied history from tenements to town halls.
While not set in the Windy City itself, "Olga Dies Dreaming" weaves a narrative rich with activism reminiscent of movements like the Young Lords and carries a vibe of neighborhood solidarity, mirroring the ethos of Chicago's own aldermanic wards and communal gatherings. In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Gonzalez admitted to drawing from her own life, as her mother once ran for national office on the Socialist Workers Party ticket and she herself worked as a luxury wedding planner, fusing these disparate worlds into the fabric of her characters' lives.
The selection process for the One Book, One Chicago initiative this year saw the inclusion of diverse cultural voices with invitees like La Escuelita Bombera de Corazon and the Jazz Institute of Chicago joining the discussion table. The library's efforts to reflect Chicago's demographic mosaic paid off, with Brown telling the Chicago Sun-Times that the title stood out for various reasons including its popularity with librarians and library card holders and the freshness it brings as the work of a Puerto Rican author.
As part of the OBOC program running from September through November, the community will have a plethora of events to attend at Harold Washington Library Center, kicking off with a Silent Reading Soirée on September 24, Mayor Brandon Johnson pointed out the novel's potential in strengthening Chicagoans' sense of home, whether that be a neighborhood or the nation itself. The book's themes extend to the issue of gentrification, presenting a collaboration opportunity with The National Public Housing Museum to further conversation on the topic Gonzalez will make an appearance at the Harold Washington Library Center, for the keynote event scheduled for Nov. 20, providing an additional 1,000 copies of her novel circulating through the city's libraries well ahead of her visit.
