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I know we often complain about the world and the state of things in a carefree way, but I really can’t imagine what the world would be like – or where I’d be – if society as we know it collapsed.
The characters in these post-apocalyptic books have to face the aftermath of a world that’s broken down.
Suddenly, they find themselves in a completely different, violent environment, and they have to figure out how to survive.
Books like this have always felt a bit bleak to me because there’s no real end to it.
There are no plot twists that will change their fate, and they’re permanently stuck in this harsh world.
But once I read one, I couldn’t stop, and I had to dive into many more. And trust me, these books are anything but discouraging!
They’re sweet, interesting, touching, and definitely worth reading.
So, if you’re in the mood for post-apocalyptic literature that will keep you hooked from start to finish, check these out.
Feed by Mira Grant
This one really surprised me.
It’s set after a virus outbreak turned people into zombies but the real story is about two brave sibling bloggers, Georgia and Shaun, who just want to uncover the truth.
I loved that the story focused on journalism and how powerful stories can be, even in a broken world.
It’s scary, yes, but also full of heart and sharp wit.
If you like mysteries with a tinge of horror and strong sibling bonds, this one’s for you.
The Wall by John Lanchester
In a cold, distant future, a country surrounded by a giant wall is trying to keep Others out.
Joseph is one of the guards on this wall, and his life is filled with fear, loneliness, and cold wind.
If he messes up, he’ll be thrown out into the sea like the people he’s guarding against.
It’s a quiet, slow story that makes you think about borders, belonging, and fear.
It left me feeling both sad and thoughtful.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
When the power goes out in a small Indigenous community during a cold winter, things slowly fall apart.
With no outside help, panic sets in. Then strangers arrive and bring more problems.
Evan, one of the locals, tries to guide his people by turning to their traditions.
This story is quiet, powerful, and very emotional.
I loved how it shows strength in returning to one’s roots when the world feels broken.
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
This book begins in the 1800s and jumps through time – all the way to a wild, ruined future in Hawaii.
Each story connects to the next, like little echoes across time.
There’s action, mystery, sadness, and a touch of hope.
It’s a big, strange book that makes you think about how people and choices are connected across generations.
I won’t lie – it takes patience, but it’s worth it.
After the Flood by Kassandra Montag
Most of the world is underwater now, and Myra is sailing with her young daughter, Pearl, looking for her other child, Row, who was taken years ago.
Their journey is dangerous and emotional, full of storms, secrets, and people with their own agendas.
Myra’s love for her daughter pulled at my heart, and even though the world felt lost, there was always a little bit of hope pushing them forward.
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
Imagine a world where humans are gone, and only robots remain.
One of them, Brittle, roams the empty land, trying to survive while haunted by what happened in the past.
It’s a lonely story, but also a hopeful one because even machines can search for meaning.
I didn’t expect to care so much about a robot, but Brittle’s journey made me feel a lot.
There’s action, emotion, and surprisingly deep questions.
The Passage by Justin Cronin
This one starts with a secret experiment gone wrong – like very wrong – and turns into a full-blown vampire-like apocalypse.
In the middle of it is a little girl named Amy, who might be the key to saving what’s left of humanity.
It’s a big story that stretches over decades, with lots of twists and heartbreak.
It’s long and emotional, but the way it shows human strength and hope really stuck with me.
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh
Three sisters grow up on an island, isolated from the dangerous world of men.
Their father disappears, and soon after, three men arrive, throwing their quiet life into chaos.
The story is eerie, dreamy, and intense.
It made me feel like I was slowly sinking into a strange fairytale.
It’s not loud or fast-paced, but it’s powerful in its own quiet way.
The New Wilderness by Diane Cook
Bea takes her sick daughter, Agnes, out of the polluted city to live in the last piece of wild land left on Earth.
They join a group trying to live without harming nature, but surviving in the wilderness is harder than they thought.
I felt so much for Bea as she tried to protect her daughter while watching her grow into someone wild and different.
It’s a tender, sad, and beautiful story about love, nature, and change.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Station Eleven isn’t your usual end-of-the-world story full of doom and gloom.
It starts with a flu that spreads across the world in just days, wiping out most of the population.
But the heart of the book isn’t really about the flu – it’s about the people who survive and what they do with the world that’s left.
The story jumps around in time, following different characters: a famous actor who dies the night the flu begins, a young girl who once acted with him and later joins a traveling theatre group, and people who knew him in the old world.
It’s gentle, emotional, and full of hope – even when everything feels lost.
If you like quiet, thoughtful books that still manage to feel epic, this one’s a must-read.
What do you think? Do any of these books sound good?
Let me know which ones you might add to your reading list in the future in the comments below.
And if you’re interested, I’ve also written another post about my favorite dystopian novels that are definitely worth reading.
