Announcing the featured title for the Libby Reads US program: Familia by Lauren E. Rico!  

“A masterfully woven tale of mystery, reconciliation, and familial love.” – Abby Jimenez, New York Times Bestselling Author 

Readers of Olga Dies Dreaming and fans of Julia Alvarez will be captivated by this spellbinding story told from multiple perspectives and spanning a generation, as a baffling genealogy test connects two young women across cultures and class and sets in motion the events that might unravel a decades-old crime at last. 

From April 23 – May 7, readers across the United States can check out with no waitlists or holds in the Libby app. 

About Familia 

Meet the Author 

Lauren E. Rico is an award-winning author and nationally recognized classical music broadcaster. Her novels have been selected for LibraryReads, Book of the Month, and Aardvark Book Club. Known for twisty, emotionally resonant fiction, her work explores family, identity, and the secrets that bind—or divide—us. A longtime voice on classical radio, Lauren has broadcast for SiriusXM, major stations nationwide, and international airline audiences, and has written and hosted programs for the New York Philharmonic’s Young People’s Concerts. She lives with her husband, Tom, and their rescue pup, Sandy.   

A Letter from Lauren E. Rico 

Dear Reader, 

Thank you so much for choosing Familia as part of Libby Reads. I’m truly honored to know that readers across the country—and beyond—are opening this book together. 

At its heart, Familia is a story about how we define family—and what happens when that definition is challenged. In an era when ancestry DNA tests and long-buried records are revealing unexpected truths, many of us are being asked to rethink where we come from, who belongs to us, and what really makes a family. Those discoveries can be joyful, unsettling, or something in between—and they often raise more questions than answers. 

This novel grew out of my fascination with those moments of reckoning: when the stories we’ve always believed about our families are complicated by new information, and when love and loyalty are tested by truth. Familia explores how people respond when the past resurfaces, and whether family is something we inherit—or something we choose. 

Libraries have always been central to my life as a reader and a writer, so sharing this book through a collective library experience feels especially meaningful. I hope Familia sparks conversation, reflection, and lively discussion among readers. 

Thank you for being part of this shared reading experience. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. 

Warmly,

Lauren E. Rico 

Programming & Promotion Ideas for Your Library 

Easy ways to promote the title to your readers 

Get the marketing kit on the Resource Center   

• Highlight the book in your favorite fiction or Librarians Recommend sections in your library. 

• Share on social with easy-to-use graphics and copy. 

• Add the QR code flyer to your bulletin boards or meeting rooms to encourage easy checking out on Libby. 

• Promote the title with bookmarks or screen-sized graphics around your community space. 

Active and passive programming for readers of all ages 

• Genealogy Dig: Host an event, either in person or virtually, to share how patrons can utilize library resources to build their own family trees or learn more about their heritage.  

• Family Tree: If you’re looking for something that is more school-age children apropos, host a craft night in which families can work together to build a physical family tree that they can take home and build off of.    

• Fact Checking: In the story, Gabby is a fact-checker for a popular magazine. Now more than ever, media literacy and factchecking are important skills to teach. Whether it’s hosting a media literacy program or sharing resources like Ground News (which is also available as a Libby Extra!), this story is a great tie-in to those conversations. 

These programming suggestions are based loosely upon themes featured in Familia. Whether you use these to inspire your programming or come up with ideas on your own, let us know by emailing us at libbyreads@overdrive.com.  

About Libby Reads US 

Familia will be available for simultaneous use in ebook and audiobook formats between April 23 – May 7. The title, along with a promotional spotlight on Libby, will be added at no cost. Contact your Account Manager with questions.