93 Best Apocalyptic Books (2024)

In a desolate, post-apocalyptic America, a father and son trek towards an unknown West Coast in a desperate attempt to survive. Armed only with a pistol, scavenged supplies, and each other, they encounter danger and uncertainty at every turn. The Road is a heart-wrenching story of love and endurance in the face of catastrophic destruction. Cormac McCarthy's vivid prose paints a stark portrait of humanity's best and worst qualities.

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Joel McHaleCharlize TheronMark PellegrinoRyan HolidayJames AltucherJohn LillyHugh AchesonAmelia Boone

Experience a post-apocalyptic world where a devastating flu pandemic has destroyed civilization as we know it. Follow Kirsten Raymonde, a member of The Traveling Symphony - a small troupe of actors and musicians dedicated to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they come across a violent prophet threatening their existence, they must fight for survival. With a unique timeline that jumps between life before and after the pandemic, uncover the twist of fate that connects them all in this National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award finalist.

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James AltucherTyler CowenSaeed JonesDaniel W. DreznerHolly BrockwellDan StemkoskiEric SmithSara ChippsSam FreedmanSeb Lee-Delisle

A chilling tale of a world decimated by plague, where dreams foretell the rise of a sinister figure known as the Dark Man. As fear grips society, the Prince of Evil's domain flourishes, and an inevitable battle for the fate of humanity looms.

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Kurt BusiekSam FreedmanHarry Khachatrian

This acclaimed book takes you on a journey across the globe during the Zombie War, featuring firsthand accounts from survivors who witnessed the end of the world. Through interviews with men, women, and children who faced the horrors of the apocalypse, you'll experience the full scope of this epochal event. This chronicle provides a hauntingly immediate look at the human dimension of one of the biggest catastrophes in history, and asks important questions about our capacity for personal detachment from history.

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Geoffrey MillerBryony Gordon

A post-apocalyptic world where one man may be the last human alive. Snowman, also known as Jimmy, mourns the death of his best friend and the love of his life, Oryx. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey with the help of genetically engineered children through a lush wilderness that was once a great city. Margaret Atwood's thought-provoking tale is a compelling vision of the future that is both familiar and beyond our imagination.

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Meltem DemirorsSarah Parcak

In the aftermath of a devastating disease that wiped out most of humanity, one lucky survivor explores a world without man. What he finds will leave him surprised and amazed.

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Ben Shapiro

A post-apocalyptic America is plagued by an ancient evil who seeks to destroy a special child named Swan. The last survivors of humanity must fight against monstrous creatures and marauding armies to protect their world and souls in the final battle between good and evil.

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This post-apocalyptic sci-fi is not just an ebook sensation, it's a new classic. In a toxic future, people live in a giant underground silo with strict rules. When the Sheriff breaks the greatest taboo by asking to go outside, events unravel and an unlikely replacement is appointed: Juliette, a mechanic tasked with fixing the silo. As she faces the broken world around her, the silo prepares for an uprising. With accolades from The New York Times and USA TODAY, and named Kindle Book Review's 2012 Indie Book of the Year, Wool is a blockbuster must-read.

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Ev WilliamsJames Altucher

In The Passage, a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions goes wrong, leading to catastrophic events that trigger a societal collapse. The only hope for humanity is a young girl named Amy, who possesses a mysterious power that can save the world. With gripping storytelling and unforgettable characters, this epic tale of survival is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction.

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In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of monks known as the Order of Leibowitz dedicate themselves to preserving ancient knowledge. Will mankind learn from past mistakes or will history repeat itself?

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Geoffrey MillerPatrick MadridAlan Cooper