Never Read a Dystopia? This List Has the Perfect One for You!
What a great day to read something new!
Most avid readers have those genres that are their favorites. It’s common when looking for that next read to choose books that are similar to ones we already love. But, if you are looking to try out a new read that is outside of your normal scope, I’m here to help you get started! I’ll be doing a series of posts (one each month) featuring a different genre. In the post, I’ll give some suggestions for a book to try first based on what you already love. This month, we’re kicking off with Dystopian books!
What is Dystopian Literature?
Dystopias depict future societies where things have gone terribly wrong. Most of us probably read one of the classic dystopian books in high school: 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, the list goes on. We know those classics were like warning bells, the authors urging society to listen up before we became what we didn’t want to be. But dystopian literature has changed dramatically in recent years. Dystopian books are less about potential societal pitfalls, and more about what makes each of us uniquely, achingly human. You want to see how one person can change the world? Read a dystopia. Check out my list below to find a Dystopia that will make you think and leave you wanting more!
Note: The links to the books are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase one of these books through the link, What A Good Day will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions are my own. We appreciate your support!
If you like science fiction...
Oryx and Crake is the first in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy. For you sci-fi junkies, it has all those elements you love: genetic engineering, an isolated hero, and a world on the brink of destruction. In the book, we follow “Snowman,” who appears to be the last man on earth, as he lives among the genetically-engineered humanoid “Children of Crake.” Snowman’s past and present intertwine throughout the narrative as we slowly learn what led to humanity’s doom.
What makes this book special is Atwood’s signature style. Her masterful storytelling is very much on display here, and the language will draw you in and make you feel equal parts repulsed and enraptured by the world she has created. Atwood might be most well-known for The Handmaid’s Tale, but (don’t hate me), I think this trilogy is actually her best work.
If you like romance...
A student recommended this book to me, and I’m so glad I read it along with the other four books in the series. In The Selection, author Keira Cass creates a world of the future in which Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Central America are all one country ruled by a monarchy and divided into a brutal caste system. Each generation, the prince selects his future queen in a nationally-televised competition made up of 35 girls, one from each province. America Singer is just one girl in the 35, but she is so much more than that.
If The Bachelor and The Hunger Games had a baby, it would be this book. It is equal parts dystopia and romance and all parts captivating. It’s a quick, easy read that will grab you on the first page and keep you coming back. America is both vulnerable and unshakeable: a heroine we root for made all the more relatable because of her imperfections. You’ll fall in love with her as you watch her fall in love.
If you like to be pushed to the edge...
The Road is considered to be one of the modern classics, and with good reason. It won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction when it was released in 2007 and graces countless lists of “Best Books.” From an author who has written several great works, this is considered by most to be his masterpiece. The Road is the story of a father and son traveling south towards the coast in a bleak, unforgiving America that has been ravaged by some unknown apocalypse. They face situations that are horrifying and hopeless, only to keep trudging on, each supporting the other.
This novel is unflinching in its brutality and its beauty. It will grab you by the throat and make you contemplate the extremes of which humanity is truly capable. The style of writing is cumbersome for those who haven’t read McCarthy before, and the violence might be a bit much for some readers, but if you want a story that stays with you, this is the one.
If you are a pop culture nerd...
The second book in this series just came out, so now is the perfect time to check out Ready Player One. Our hero, Wade Watts, lives in a dirty, depressing, dying world. The only saving grace is the OASIS, an online platform where people work, learn, and play. It’s also the hiding place of a fantastic prize: the fortune of James Halliday, the creator of the OASIS. Wade, like everyone else in the world, is searching for the clues to find and complete Halliday’s challenges in hopes of winning the prize.
Wade is a likable hero. He’s orphaned and poor. He isn’t physically strong or popular. He sounds like every comic book hero you read about as a kid, because that’s exactly what he is supposed to be like. And the pop culture allusions don’t stop there. Honestly, this book is a love letter to 80s kids and gamers alike. I love that this book never tries to be more than it is. It’s a fun and engaging read that will have you laughing out loud, feeling nostalgic for your childhood, and cheering for Wade until the very end.
If you want to read a dystopian book set in 2021...
P. D. James wrote The Children of Men in 1992, but it is set in 2021. Full disclosure: I haven’t read this one, but it’s next on my list. I’ve always been jealous of people who got to read 1984 in 1984, so I’m excited to read a dystopian book written in the past during the year it was set. According to Goodreads, The Children of Men is suspenseful and introspective. It tells the story of a world in which no children have been born in 25 years. The population is dying and there is no hope in a world with no future.
A friend described the book as a “slow burn” at the beginning with “explosions galore” in the second half. It is highly recommended for readers of psychological thrillers, but anyone who likes a good page-turner will probably enjoy it. With most dystopias, humanity goes out with a bang, so this is a quieter way for the world to fall apart. I’m intrigued by that. And as someone who struggled with infertility, I feel like the premise of this book may hit home for me.
If you like graphic novels...
Most people know V for Vendetta from the movie version but don’t realize it was a graphic novel first. Written by Alan Moore of Watchmen fame and illustrated by David Lloyd, it’s considered a classic by most graphic novel fans. Moore sets the story in the U.K., where the people are controlled by a facist police state. But of course, there is a rebellion! A mysterious figure called V brings Evey, the heroine, over to the cause. And I will tell you, it’s a heck of a ride for her and the reader.
The illustrations in this book are stylistic and starkly beautiful, and the writing is excellent. This book is not only a great graphic novel, but is a great work of fiction in general. Be prepared for some violence and language if you decide to pick this one up, but if that doesn’t bother you, check it out!
If you like capital L literature...
Station Eleven is a more recent addition to the dystopian family, but it has definitely carved its own mark on the genre. This book is what I call Capital L Literature: well-crafted, complex, and richly dressed with literary style. It’s the kind of book that would be a classic if it was written 50 years ago. In this book, humanity faces near extinction when a “Georgia Flu” sweeps through the world killing 99% of the population. So, this book begs the question, “If there were only a few people to rebuild civilization, what aspects of who we were before would live on?”
This book shows us that humans have a need to thrive, not merely survive. It is the survivors in this book we sympathize with most, because the loss felt by those left behind is so immense. This book is not a page-turner. It’s elegant. The story does not rush. The messages are whispered, not roared. That said, it is a beautiful story of human resilience that resonates even more after living in a pandemic.
If you want a dystopian book that is simply great...
There are no caveats with this book. No matter what you like to read, this book has something for you. Scythe, the first of a trilogy, is written by master young adult author Neal Shusterman, who is one of the most prolific dystopian writers living today. In the future, humanity has conquered mortality. No one ever dies. But Earth’s resources are finite, so it is up to scythes to “glean” people to keep the population in check. Rowan and Citra, junior scythe apprentices, are the heroes of this book, and the moral questions they must grapple with will have you considering many of your own views.
Shusterman’s world-building is so impressive in this book, and his characters, especially his villains, are fascinating and complex. It’s readable, suspenseful, and yet still has depth. It takes a hard look at what gives death dignity, and it ponders the ways in which we view death and how those views might affect how we live. I recommend it to everyone, and if you like it, stick around for the sequels, which are just as good.
Have any of your own favorite dystopian books to recommend? Drop us a comment below! Happy reading!
Need more book recommendations? Check out these posts!
- An American Sampler: The Best Books from Each Region!
- Poetry Books Everyone Will Love!
- Need More Mystery in Your Life? Discover a New Mystery Series to Read!
Have a good day!
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What a terrific list! As a big fan of P.D. James’ murder mysteries, I read Children of Men years ago. I found it not quite as powerful as The Road or Oryx and Crake, but a good read nonetheless. The only one I’ve not read is Neal Shusterman, so I am adding it to my list now!
I have put Oryx and Crake and Scythe on my list of books to read!