With the recent gain in popularity of shows like Z Nation, The Strain, and The Walking Dead, it is no surprise that apocalyptic fiction has also doubled in size. However, even with the newfound popularity of apocalyptic fiction, it's still unusually hard to find new books on the subject that are well worth the read.
That's where I come in. As someone who is an avid reader, and someone who isn't afraid to give every new book I come across a chance, I have a few books in mind for any readers that love The Walking Dead. Here they are:
1. The Rot and Ruin Series by Jonathan Mayberry.
This book series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies are called Zoms and everyone must have a job by the time they turn fifteen years old. The series is set in the point of view of a young Japanese American boy named Benny Imura. He lives with his brother Tom and wants nothing more than to find an apprenticeship with someone other than his brother. When apprenticing as a zombie hunter becomes his only choice, he expects a tedious and boring job. What he finds is a path far harder and more complicated than he could ever imagine.
2. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This Pulitzer prize winning story takes place between an unnamed father and son who travel the burned out ruins of post-apocalypse America. They are heading for the coast with absolutely no idea what they will find there. The only things they have are the clothes on their backs, a small cart of scavenged food and each other. With one pistol between them, they must defend their possessions from a ruthless band of thugs and do everything they can to survive.
3. The Rising by Brian Keene
This story is told from the viewpoint of Jim Thurmond, a father that is desperate to save his son from the massive hordes of intelligent, starving zombies that have taken over America. He is aided in his quest by an elderly preacher, an ex-prostitute, and a guilt-ridden scientist. Together they start their journey to find Jim's son with absolutely no idea what they will find when they get there.
4. World War Z by Max Brooks
This book may be stylistically different from the others on this list, but it is still an amazing story that is well worth the read. This novel portrays the zombie apocalypse through a series of interviews of the few men and women that survived. The first-hand accounts of the apocalypse give the novel a chilling vibe that makes the eyewitness stories almost too real.
And there you have it! These are just a few of my tried and true favorites of the post-apocalyptic fiction genre. I'd also take a look at Barnes and Noble's list of the best zombie apocalypse novels from the past decade if you read all of these and want more. Happy reading!
