20 Gripping Post-Apocalyptic Books To Read
What happens when the world ends and only a handful of survivors remain? Post-apocalyptic books attempt to answer that question, examining how life can go on under the most extreme conditions and making a case for humanity’s resilience amid dire circumstances. Apocalypse books have varying reasons for the disappearance of most of humanity—it may be a zombie attack, a fatal virus or a nuclear war. No matter how they got there, the characters in these apocalyptic books demonstrate fierce commitment to putting things back together, no matter what obstacles they must overcome. This list of best post-apocalyptic books runs the gamut from classics by acclaimed authors to more recent works addressing contemporary problems.
Must-Read Post-Apocalyptic Books
Post-apocalyptic books take place after an apocalypse that has killed most people and altered the landscape. Recurring character types in these books often include scavengers, mechanics, zombies, traders, mutants and a noble lead forced against their will into a leadership role.
As in many dystopian books, recurring themes in post-apocalypse novels include hopelessness, lack of human connection, survival, resilience and renewal. Well-known authors of post-apocalyptic novels include Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, Octavia Butler, Ursula K. Le Guin, Margaret Atwood, Suzanne Collins and Cormac McCarthy. These rankings are based on the books’ critical acclaim, enduring appeal, sales and literary impact.
20. Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White (2022)
A New York Times bestseller, Hell Followed with Us focuses on a group of marginalized kids fighting for survival after a cult releases a virus that is slowly wiping out the world’s population. Benji, a trans teen, escaped from the cult and seems to have found his people—but he’s hiding a dark secret.
This book is best for those looking for queer apocalyptic literature. Andrew Joseph White’s Hell Followed with Us is available from publisher Peachtree.
19. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (2014)
After a zombie-like fungus wipes out most of the world, scientists gather a small group of children who have been infected but retain human qualities. Girl genius Melanie helps the scientists escape when they get attacked, and she has to figure out her allegiance after she eats flesh for the first time.
M.R. Carey earned an Edgar nomination for the story that spawned the novel, which received great critical acclaim. This book is best for those interested in the ethics vs. scientific progress debate. M.R. Carey’s The Girl With All the Gifts is available from publisher Hachette.
18. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008)
Katniss volunteers to join the Hunger Games to protect her sister, getting thrust into a competition pitting kids to the death. The trilogy follows Katniss’s evolution from game champion to revolutionary leader in a post-apocalyptic America.
The bestselling trilogy also spawned four smash movies, and Collins has written two more books in the universe. This book is best for anyone looking for an entry point into the post-apocalyptic world of literature. Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is available from publisher Scholastic.
17. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (2018)
Imagine the Civil War gets derailed by a zombie invasion, and you get Dread Nation, which follows a young Black woman fighting the lingering discrimination and prejudice of her time while navigating a mystery near her school. The zombies suddenly seem less scary than the conspiracy around her.
The novel earned a Goodreads Choice Award nomination and was a New York Times bestseller. It is best for anyone looking for racial justice takes on the apocalypse. Justina Ireland’s Dread Nation is available from publisher HarperCollins.
16. 1984 by George Orwell (1949)
Seven decades after its publication, 1984 still holds up. Set in a world nearly unrecognizable after years of nuclear war and civil unrest, it imagines three totalitarian states with supreme power, one led by cult figure Big Brother. Protagonist Winston dodges the thought police while imagining how to rebel against the stifling and all-powerful party.
The critically acclaimed book made the BBC’s recent list of 100 most influential novels, and it has received many TV, movie, radio and theater adaptations. This book is best for those interested in censorship and nationalism. George Orwell’s 1984 is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
15. The Passage by Justin Cronin (2010)
The first in a trilogy, The Passage focuses on 6-year-old Amy, who becomes separated from her mother as society collapses. An agent tracks the girl down and recognizes her specialness, and he eventually helps her escape while the world comes tumbling down. Her fate is forever tied to that of humanity.
Passage, a New York Times bestseller, was adapted for TV and named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, NPR, BookPage, Esquire and more. This book is best for those looking for heart-pounding action. Justin Cronin’s The Passage is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
14. The Quiet at The End of The World by Lauren James (2019)
Many post-apocalyptic books for teens deal with the question of what we owe society vs. what we owe ourselves, since these children are coming of age in daunting times. Following a global outbreak of infertility, Lowrie and Shen are the world’s youngest people, protected by their elders. A secret threatens their fragile happiness.
The Quiet at The End of The World received critical acclaim, including from Kirkus Reviews. This book is best for those searching for a YA take on post-apocalyptic literature. Lauren James’s The Quiet at The End of The World is available from publisher Walker Books.
13. On the Beach by Nevil Shute (1957)
In Australia, a group of survivors of World War III awaits the cloud of nuclear energy blowing toward them and spelling imminent death. A submarine captain trying not to think of his deceased family brings sudden hope when he detects a Morse code signal from far away and tries to find other survivors.
On the Beach was the bestselling book in the career of Nevil Shute, a well-regarded British novelist. This book is best for those looking for an emotional account of surviving an apocalypse. Nevil Shute’s On the Beach is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
12. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Canadian legend Margaret Atwood’s tale of humankind devastated by plague hits a little closer post-pandemic. Snowman may be the last remaining human, and he’s motivated by memories of the people he lost, specifically Oryx and Crake, the woman he loved and the best friend who also loved her. This begins a book series.
Oryx and Crake became a bestseller and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and Orange Prize for Fiction. This book is best for those who love The Handmaid’s Tale TV series or book. Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
11. Severance by Ling Ma (2018)
This biting satire about a Millennial worker drone still tasked with everyday annoyances even after a plague has wiped out much of New York City will ring true to anyone who’s ever worked in an office. Ma’s satire sends up work culture and other stereotypes while also telling a story of family.
Severance made dozens of “best book of the year” lists, including NPR, The New Yorker, Bustle, BookPage, Buzzfeed and many more. This book is best for those looking for humor in their post-apocalyptic read. Ling Ma’s Severance is available from publisher Macmillan.
10. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (2018)
When society to the south collapses, visitors descend on a northern Anishinaabe community facing issues of its own. A young leader named Evan tries to restore order by looking back to traditional customs as death and disease take hold. This is the tale of new arising from old and what that means for the future.
Moon of the Crusted Snow earned universal acclaim, including the LA Forest of Reading Evergreen Award, the First Nation Communities READ Indigenous Literature Award shortlist and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. This book is best for those who want an Indigenous perspective on the apocalypse. Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow is available from publisher ECW Press.
9. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (2004)
David Mitchel’s modern classic careens from 1850 to a post-apocalyptic era as history winds down. Mitchell plays with time and shows the same events from differing perspectives to create a unique, fascinating journey through seemingly inconsequential but actually monumental events.
Cloud Atlas earned a spot on The New York Times’ best books of the 21st century list and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. This book is best for anyone intrigued by time travel. David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
8. Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (1963)
An absurdist novel filled with extremely dark humor, Cat’s Cradle leaves readers questioning their own interpretation of the book while pondering its themes. It shows how the world can be destroyed instantly and what happens to the survivors afterward. It also sends up religion with a character named Bokonon.
Vonnegut is among the 20th century’s literary giants, and Cat’s Cradle earned a Hugo Award nomination for best novel. This book is best for those who enjoy biting satire. Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
7. Always Coming Home by Ursula K. Le Guin (1985)
Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the all-time greats, and Always Coming Home ranks as one of her most notable accomplishments. It took her five years to craft this ethnography of the Kesh, people living in a post-apocalypse Napa Valley. They have no use for gender or governance, and they carefully guard resources.
Always combines fable, song and artwork as well. This book is best for those looking for a more experimental take on post-apocalyptic fiction. Ursula K. Le Guin’s Always Coming Home is available from publisher HarperCollins.
6. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (2020)
No one writes fantasy like N.K. Jemisin, and the first book in the Great Cities series puts her talent on full display. She weaves magic and mystery into this exploration of New York City and its people, at a time when they are in grave danger.
The City We Became earned “best of the year” honors from Amazon, Vanity Fair and Time, which also named it to its list of 100 all-time best fantasy books. This book is best for fantasy lovers and Black history devotees. N.K. Jemisin’s The City We Became is available from publisher Hachette.
5. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (1968)
Hard to believe this novel, the inspiration for top sci-fi movie Blade Runner, takes place in 2021. A world war has killed millions, and people looking for company build artificial humans. When those are banned, the androids go underground, creating a market for bounty hunters. But then the androids begin to fight back.
Philip K. Dick is one of the luminaries of science fiction, and this Nebula nominee blends noir style with speculative fiction brilliantly. This book is best for anyone who loved Blade Runner or wants to explore post-apocalypse classics. Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2006)
The Road envisions a bleak post-apocalyptic world where everything has been covered in ash for years, and life on Earth is nearly extinct. A father and son venture into this terrifying land on a cross-country trip that threatens their survival as they navigate illness, cannibals, marauders and more.
The Road is a modern classic that earned the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction. It was also adapted into a movie. This book is best for those who want a literary take on the post-apocalyptic world. Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
3. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014)
It has been more than a decade since flu wiped out most of civilization. A group of actors roam from town to town performing Shakespeare for survivors, and they encounter a self-proclaimed prophet with violent intentions. The book uses flashbacks to show how everyone came to their circumstances.
Station Eleven was a National Book Award finalist and named a best book of the 21st century by the New York Times. This book is best for those who enjoy reading about relationships. Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
2. Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler (1998)
One of the most acclaimed science fiction writers of her time, Octavia Butler offers a sequel to Parable of the Sower told from three perspectives. It depicts a world in environmental and economic chaos, where religion seems to offer some answers but bigoted viewpoints continue to threaten Black leaders—especially a woman.
Butler earned the Nebula Award for Best Novel, and many have likened her version of authoritarianism to Donald Trump’s rhetoric. This book is best for those interested in considering religious fundamentalism’s promise and shortcomings. Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Talents is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
1. The Stand by Stephen King
The Stand showcases what Stephen King does best: Tell a roaring (if long) yarn that will keep you entertained until the final page. It takes place in a society ravaged by deadly flu, where survivors join factions of good or evil that ultimately take a stand against each other.
King’s novel has been named one of the best books of all time by Amazon, the BBC, the Modern Library and Rolling Stone, and it has been adapted into two miniseries. This book is best for those who love long epics. Stephen King’s The Stand is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
Bottom Line
Post-apocalyptic books explore critical themes such as survival, resilience and the battle of good and evil. They offer unforgettable characters driven to make a difference, and they are always entertaining. Readers will revel in the stories told in any of the post-apocalypse books on this list.