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Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez has been selected as the 2025 One Book, One Chicago (OBOC) title, according to an announcement from Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Public Library. The OBOC program, now in its 24th year, aims to bring residents together across all 77 neighborhoods through shared reading and discussion.
“From West Pullman on the south side to Rogers Park on the north side, Chicagoans share a deep connection with their neighborhoods. Olga Dies Dreaming explores what it means to call a place home, whether it’s a neighborhood, a city or a country,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Chicago residents of all identities will connect with Gonzalez’s thoughtful, resonant prose.”
The novel was chosen for its exploration of identity, family, and belonging. It addresses issues relevant to Chicago such as diaspora and housing justice. Olga Dies Dreaming is notable for being the first Puerto Rican-authored novel selected for OBOC and has received national recognition including being named one of the Best Books of the Year in 2022 by major publications.
“For more than 20 years, One Book, One Chicago has brought our city together through story, and this year’s selection could not be more timely,” said Library Commissioner Chris Brown. “Olga Dies Dreaming is the first Puerto Rican-authored novel chosen for the program, and it resonates deeply with Chicago’s own history of activism and politics—from housing struggles to movements like the Young Lords, to the complex role of political families. It is a story about resilience, identity and belonging that mirrors the lived experiences of our neighborhoods today. This fall, we invite all Chicagoans to join us in this citywide conversation."
The library will host events from September through November related to themes in Olga Dies Dreaming. Activities include a Silent Reading Soirée at Harold Washington Library Center on September 24; a Community Conversation about The Young Lords of Lincoln Park on October 1; and a Housing Justice and Cultural Belonging Panel on October 28. Additional programs throughout neighborhoods will highlight Puerto Rican culture.
The season finale will feature author Xochitl Gonzalez in conversation with Donna Seaman at Harold Washington Library Center on November 20.
“Olga is about many things, but fundamentally it’s about community,” said Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Olga Dies Dreaming. “So the idea of an entire city reading and discussing and being in community with this book that centralizes the value of place and the people in it? Well, it’s beyond thrilling. I hope everyone loves this novel, but more than anything, I’m just excited that the spirit of the book is in action every time people get together and debate it or see someone else reading it in public and might strike up a conversation.”
New cultural partners for this year include La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón, Somos Arte, National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, Stay & Play Game Café, Africaribe, National Public Housing Museum and Jazz Institute of Chicago. Returning partners are American Writers Museum, CHIRP Radio, Art Institute of Chicago, DePaul University, Northeastern Illinois University and Harold Washington College.
The OBOC program is supported by United Airlines along with other donors through the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
Xochitl Gonzalez is recognized as a New York Times bestselling author whose works have earned several awards including winner of the Brooklyn Public Library Prize.
Since its founding in 1873,Chicago Public Library has provided free access to information through its network of locations across all neighborhoods.
More details about programming can be found at onebookonechicago.org.
