15 Apocalyptic Books to Read During the Pandemic
Every year I watch the movie Halloween on Halloween night.
There's something extra-chilling about Michael Myers wordlessly stalking Jamie Lee Curtis while the kids in my neighbourhood are racing door-to-door gathering mini Kit Kats, their costumes distorted by winter parkas and ski pants.
It's probably the horror-honed (read: weirdo) imagination I developed reading Stephen King during my formative years.
Combine the COVID-19 pandemic and my weirdo brain’s desire to be meta and I end up with an inclination to revisit my favourite apocalyptic novels.
And since you might also be housebound for the foreseeable future, I thought some book recommendations might be useful to you.
Before I get to my recos, let me break down my list for you.
What Made the Cut
First, my list has a mix of apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian fiction for your reading pleasure. I don't have a favourite child here. I enjoy each genre equally.
Second, my list includes several YA picks, because even though I'm in my 40s, I still love reading about teenagers.
Finally, I've read everything on this list except for the MaddAddam trilogy by Margaret Atwood. But Oryx and Crake was highly recommended by my good friend Krista, so it's on my nightstand right now.
The 15 Apocalyptic Novels You Should Read During The COVID-19 Pandemic
1. The Stand by Stephen King
CHOOSE THIS IF: you're okay with the supernatural
For years, The Stand was my favourite book. I've probably read it 7 or 8 times.
This is not the gruesome, in-your-face horror of Pet Semetary. The Stand is far more subtle. There's a touch of the supernatural, which is classic Stephen King, but it also feels very realistic.
2. The Chrysalids by John Wyndam
CHOOSE THIS IF: you want to feel like you're in the 7th grade again
My English teacher, Mrs. Hermus, was both intimidating and excellent. Even though she was kind of scary, I generally enjoyed English class.
It didn't hurt that I was an avid reader with a good memory.
We did The Chrysalids , and while I don't remember all the story details, I do remember that I liked it so much that I read it multiple times.
The Chrysalids definitely falls into the YA category, and because it was written back in the 50s, there's probably some weird gender stuff in there.
But it was my introduction to the post-apocalyptic genre and I still remember it 30 plus years later, so that's saying something.
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
CHOOSE THIS IF: you want gritty, award-winning literature
Be forewarned: The Road is not a feel-good story. But it's worth your time because it's beautifully written and haunting.
The Road has won a bunch of awards, including the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and also became a movie. It's on a bunch of "Best Of" lists and falls squarely in the "serious literature" category.
If you're a parent, you'll probably find it especially relatable.
4. World War Z by Max Brooks *** TOP PICK ***
CHOOSE THIS IF: you want excellent zombie fiction
When it comes to zombie stories, I'm a fan.
Dawn of the Dead, The Walking Dead, iZombie, Day-by-Day Armageddon... I am here for it all.
I've read multiple zombie apocalypse novels, and none of them hold a candle to World War Z by Max Brooks.
I have the paperback version, Kindle version, and audio book, and I've read it at least half a dozen times.
Don't be put off by the terrible movie of the same name starring Brad Pitt. The book is VERY different from the movie.
Even if you think that you don't like "zombie stuff," you’ll enjoy World War Z, because it's about people. Seriously, this book made me cry multiple times because the characters were so real.
5. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
CHOOSE THIS IF: you're Canadian
As a Canadian, I'm always excited to find good books set in my country.
Like World War Z, this story is about people, and that’s what makes it a solid choice.
The way Station Eleven is written is a little different (in a good way), going between the spread of a virus and the post-apocalyptic world that emerged afterward.
6. Oryx and Crake (of The MaddAddam Trilogy) by Margaret Atwood
CHOOSE THIS IF: you liked The Handmaid's Tale
Oryx and Crake was recommended by my friend Krista, who has excellent taste, so it’s up next on my reading list.
Knowing Margaret Atwood’s work, I’m expecting elegant prose and emotional depth.
7. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
CHOOSE THIS IF: you want an apocalyptic genre classic
I Am Legend is also a movie - starring Will Smith - but the book is definitely different.
It's the granddaddy of the apocalyptic genre and said to be a source of inspiration for Stephen King, so if you’re a fan of genre-defining books, I Am Legend might be for you.
8. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
CHOOSE THIS IF: you'd rather dystopian than apocalyptic
You're probably familiar with The Hunger Games series , because it's huge. Jennifer Lawrence stars in the movie version, but of course the books are better.
Of the three, the first book (The Hunger Games) is my favourite, and I'm thrilled that my 14-year-old daughter finally got around to reading these, too.
Hearing my baby girl curse Katniss as she was reading brought a tear to my eye, because it was the first time she got into a book so much that she was yelling in the living room while reading.
9. The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
CHOOSE THIS IF: you're a YA fan
The Divergent series emerged on the heels of The Hunger Games, but the worlds are totally different.
That being said, if I had to pick only one of the two series, I'd go with The Hunger Games. Like The Hunger Games trilogy, the first book in the series, Divergent, is my favourite.
*** I use affiliate links whenever possible. That means I get a little bonus if you buy something that grabs your attention, and it doesn’t cost you anything extra. I only promote stuff that I personally love, and encourage you to buy local as an alternative to buying online. ***