“Familia,” a family mystery written in DNA, is the next Libby Reads U.S. pick
Join us this spring in reading Lauren E. Rico’s debut novel, a Puerto Rican mystery. From April 23 – May 7, you can read or listen to Familia by Lauren E. Rico immediately along with other readers across the country as part of our Libby Reads U.S. book club. No holds, no waiting!
What would you do if you suddenly found out the story your parents told you of your life was not a complete picture? In fact, there’s a whole other half of the picture missing, and you didn’t even know it. Well, that’s what happens in this story, and to many in the real world today, as the development and usage of DNA technology has advanced. People everywhere are discovering the missing, or perhaps forgotten, stories of their ancestors, connecting wilted branches in their family trees and bringing life back to them. In Familia, Rico depicts the long-lost heritage of fact checker, Gabriella DiMarco, who works at the prestigious NYC magazine, Flux. For Gabriella, her DNA discovery is bit closer to home than she could’ve ever imagined.
Lauren E. Rico is an award-winning author who is also known for her radio presence on SiriusXM, and many other radio stations. Learn more about Lauren at Libby Reads, where you can also download program extras like an author letter and discussion guide.
A personal connection
Aside from sharing a name with one of the main characters, I connected to this story on many levels. The similarities were eerie and I just love it when that happens because it means a book is making me feel seen and simultaneously represented. It’s a special kind of literary melody that’s struck when you can achieve these two feelings harmoniously for a reader. With imagery of Puerto Rico, the knotting of family ties, the different meanings the word “family” takes on for each character, Gabriella’s desire to become a writer while also dealing with imposter syndrome, and her struggle to connect to her newfound heritage when she feels like la turista, this story gives a unique illustration of how we all can overcome paradigms and how our heritage or stories are greatly linked to our connection with others.
For fans of Familia
Family Lore
by Elizabeth Acevedo
The concept of “family” tends to be a dominating value in any Hispanic household—it definitely was in mine. Hispanic families can be loud, energetic, and full of history. I grew up hearing all the lore of my own Rodriguez family and reveled in the secrets that only kin can hold.
National Book Award-winning author Elizabeth Acevedo makes any Hispanic person coming from a large family with many differing personalities feel seen. Flor has a special gift of seeing a person’s death before it happens, so when she invites her whole family to her funeral celebration (that she wants to have while she's alive), everyone is suspicious of who was in her most recent premonition.
With a touch of magic, you’ll hang on Acevedo’s every word to uncover the truth behind the legends of the Marte women and how the unique combination of DNA and stories connects them.
The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
Here's another story of sisters that feel lost to each other. Celie and Nettie's stories continue on despite the absence from each other’s lives in this novel told through a series of letters spanning over 30 years. Alice Walker has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for this book and was the first African-American woman to receive this award. The Color Purple also won her the National Book Award and was adapted into a motion picture featuring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.
After the Ocean
by Lauren E. Rico
After the Ocean is another juicy story of complicated family ties with a twist of true crime and a Puerto Rican backdrop for our scenes from Rico. Following Emilia Oliveras and her own complicated history with Puerto Rico, After the Ocean goes in search of answers to forgotten mysteries that are newly revived in search of redemption. Emilia, now a grown woman with daughters who are also grown themselves, returns to her past while her daughters begin to truly learn who their mother was. Published in 2024, this novel follows right on the heels of our Libby Reads pick and is a perfect next read after you finish Familia.
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
2021 | 1hr 30min
Featuring George Chakiris, Rita Moreno & Eva Longoria
Rita was the first Hispanic Woman and third person ever to earn an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). She was also the first Hispanic woman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She had a few small roles in major musical films like Singin’ in the Rain, but skyrocketed to stardom after her breathtaking performance as Anita in West Side Story. This documentary tells the story of her life and her illustrious career and contribution to the entertainment industry. A Puerto Rican native, she brings much pride to what it means to be Boricua.
Three Identical Strangers
2018 | 1hr 36min
Featuring Eddy Galland, David Kellman & Robert Shafran
Separated at birth, three identical triplet brothers find their way back to each other well on their way into their 20s. By some sort of once-in-a-lifetime coincidence, miracle, or fate, something unbelievable occurs when two of the triplets happen to go to the same college. After being mistaken for each other multiple times, Bobby is connected to Eddy through one of his best friends immediately through a nearby payphone. After talking on the phone, Bobby drives immediately to Eddy to be met with a mirror version. Both knowing they were adopted, they immediately knew they were identical twins, but their story didn’t stop there. After getting the tale of their reunion published in the papers, many friends of David thought they were seeing their friend in the pictures above these articles about two brothers united. After sharing their suspicions with their friend, it turns out there was a third link to their chain and instead of twins, Bobby, Eddy, and David were identical triplets.
San Juan: Beyond the Walls
2022 | 1hr 30 min
Featuring Don Castor, Ismael Cruz Cordova, and Israel Lugo
Beginning with the discovery of the Taíno natives over 500 years ago, this documentary explores Puerto Rico’s vast history in its capital, the different towns and the rural areas of the island. Puerto Rican-born actor Ismael Cruz Cordova takes us on a journey through the island’s past with discussions among native historians and a look at archival materials. With the backdrop of La Isla de Encanto, we see the symbolism behind the history of the island and what led to the San Juan we know today.
*Access to books and films may vary.
Libby Reads is an ebook (and audiobook) club, and it's completely free! Readers across the U.S. can enjoy Familia at the same time, with no wait lists and no holds. All you need is a library card.
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Published Apr 21, 2026
Gabriela Rodriguez-Johnson
Gabriela Rodriguez-Johnson is an account manager at Libby. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She enjoys all forms of media from music, movies/television, and most importantly, books. Her favorite genres are mysteries, science fiction, dystopian futuristic, and Victorian/Victorian Gothic novels. She can typically be found consuming some form of each of these while curled up next to her four cats and dog.