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| Don't you ever just want to watch the world burn? Well, so do I! Let's have a nuclear campfire and read a bunch of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction together! Got your respirators on?
The Rules:
* Any genre of fiction is acceptable, so long as it focuses on the end of the world as we know it.
* Re-reads are okay, but you must have read the book more than five years ago or it must be a new edition.
* Video game and RPG tie ins are absolutely acceptable as long as the Apocalypse is the focus (so Dark Sun novels are perfect, but Shadowrun and Mechwarrior are not; Fallout, Wasteland and The Last of Us are perfect, but Mass Effect is not)
See you in the wastelands; if we survive!
Join me at https://www.worldswithoutend.com/rollyourown.asp?ryo_id=145. |
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Location: Dallas, Texas | Fantastic challenge banner! I may join this one just for that. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | How could I let this one pass. It practically has "Badseedgirl" written on it. My problem may be limiting it to only 12! |
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Location: New Zealand | Apocalyptic fiction is not my favourite sub-genre, in fact I generally try and avoid it. So I decided to join and see if there is something there I would like after all. Give it a good go before I declare never to read it again! |
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| Administrator - 2016-04-02 11:18 AM
Fantastic challenge banner! I may join this one just for that.
Thanks for the compliment.  |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-04-02 5:51 PM
How could I let this one pass. It practically has "Badseedgirl" written on it. My problem may be limiting it to only 12!
I considered expanding it actually, but decided against it since this was the first one, and I'm already doing a bunch of challenges. But if it turns out to be too easy I'll expand it next year.
Love the handle, btw. I'm kind of a Bad Seed Girl too. |
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| Weesam - 2016-04-02 8:46 PM
Apocalyptic fiction is not my favourite sub-genre, in fact I generally try and avoid it. So I decided to join and see if there is something there I would like after all. Give it a good go before I declare never to read it again!
Now that's an interesting reason to join a challenge, Weesam! What have you read, and why did you hate it? Perhaps some of us can recommend some books that may suit you better. |
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Location: New Zealand | In trying to define what it is I don't like about apocalyptic fiction I have come to the realisation that the only real reason I have is that it is very popular at the moment. Every time I pick up a book it seems to start with 'after the apocalypse...' or variations thereof. I am simply reacting to this with a oh no, not another one jumping on the current bandwagon, and putting it back on the shelf. This may be unfair, and so I want to test myself and see if, in fact, I really don't like it, or I could grow to like it more.
Oddly enough, if you put the word 'zombie' in front of the word 'apocalypse' then I'll buy it right then and there. So I'm trying to read some of the 'classics' of the apocalyptic fiction sub-genre, and avoiding all zombies.
I recently read Station Eleven, which I found dull. And the Southern Reach trilogy, which is sort of a coming apocalypsy feel, which I utterly adored. I quite liked Kim Stanley Robinson's Forty Signs of Rain series, it seemed very realistic to me, particularly as I have lived on a small Pacific island which is likely to go under the waves within the next hundred years. I like Mira Grant's zombie trilogy, but was bored with her most recent one, and had to struggle my way through the last book. J.G. Ballard's The Drowning World was good. I didn't care for the Oyrx and Crake books and I disliked The Handmaid's Tale. Couldn't get into Canticle for Leibowitz at all, even though I really wanted to. I do like John Wyndham, particularly The Chrysalids.
So suggest away, I'm willing to give it a good go. Feel free to check which books I have chosen for this challenge and suggest alternatives I might like.
Edited by Weesam 2016-04-05 5:01 PM
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Location: Middle TN, USA | Weesam: Here are a couple suggestions. I strongly feel these three books should be read by anyone interested in post-apoc books.
Swan Song - Robert McCammon
The Stand - Stephen King
Lucifer's Hammer - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
Especially the last one Lucifer's Hammer is amazing and imo is one of the best ever written. |
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| If you haven't read them I would suggest Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, Kate Wilhelm's Where Late the Sweet Birds Sing, Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar and Greag Bear's Blood Music. |
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Location: UK | I love a good apocalypse myself.
We had the End of the World challenge a couple of years ago, which should contain a few ideas. I found it a very enjoyable theme. I'm not completely sure I'm ready to repeat it just yet, although I am about to finish the Wastelands anthology edited by John Joseph Adams. |
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| DrNefario - 2016-04-06 5:31 AM
I love a good apocalypse myself.
*That* was an awesome line. 
We had the End of the World challenge a couple of years ago, which should contain a few ideas. I found it a very enjoyable theme. I'm not completely sure I'm ready to repeat it just yet, although I am about to finish the Wastelands anthology edited by John Joseph Adams.
There are some great ideas there! Lots of crossovers already.
Just to clarify FYI -- I don't intend to include dystopias, unless they are dystopias that follow the end of the world or society as we know it. For instance, The Handmaid's Tale wouldn't count because it's only the USA that's gone to hell; the rest of the world is doing just fine.
But Wastelands is, of course, perfect.  |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-04-05 4:56 PM
Weesam: Here are a couple suggestions. I strongly feel these three books should be read by anyone interested in post-apoc books.
Swan Song - Robert McCammon
The Stand - Stephen King
Lucifer's Hammer - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
Especially the last one Lucifer's Hammer is amazing and imo is one of the best ever written.
The Stand was my first ever apocalypse. I was . . . eleven, I think? That, of course, was the original published version, the one that was heavily edited because the publisher didn't believe that a thousand page novel would sell. The re-release was much better IMO.
I have not read either Swan Song or Lucifer's Hammer. I will see if I can track them down and add them to my list.
Because I am doing the SF Masterworks challenge too, I've decided not to read any apocalypse novels that are on that list unless they also happen to fall within the books on the SF Masterworks challenge for the next year. So I think that limits me to The Drowned World and possibly The Dispossessed in this next year (though I don't know yet if The Dispossessed is post-apocalyptic or just a dystopia, and so I won't know until I've read it if it counts for both challenges or not). Wish I could have added I Am Legend, because that, of course, is kind of the alpha zombie apocalypse novel (even though it was vampires), but because I read it last year, I can't count it for this challenge. |
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| Note: challenge description is now edited to clarify re: dystopias.
The Rules:
* Any genre of fiction is acceptable, so long as it focuses on the end of the world as we know it.
* Re-reads are okay, but you must have read the book more than five years ago or it must be a new edition.
* Dystopias only count if they follow the end of the world. (So Oryx and Crake counts, but The Handmaid's Tale does not because only the United States went to hell; the rest of the world is doing just fine.)
* Video game and RPG tie ins are absolutely acceptable as long as the Apocalypse is the focus (so Dark Sun novels are perfect, but Shadowrun and Mechwarrior are not; Fallout, Wasteland and The Last of Us are perfect, but Mass Effect is not)
I'm excited by how this is growing! I can't wait to chat about the end of the world!
Edited by Sable Aradia 2016-04-06 10:10 PM
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| A few recommendations for books that are aren't read as widely as they should be: Malevil by Robert Merle, Mockingbird by Walter Tevis and The Penultimate Truth by Philip K. Dick. Another book worth looking at is one I read and enjoyed last month, World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler. Kunstler is probably better know for his blog, Clusterf*ck Nation (stupid forum profanity filter! ), and for his excellent non-fiction The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of Oil, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century, in which he indulges in full-throated (and often hysterical) outrage at the bottomless well of stupidity and cupidity that mankind and it's leaders persist in drowning themselves in. In contrast, his fiction is measured, almost quiet. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I requested Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry from the library, but now that I have it and started reading it, I don't think this one is going to work for this challenge. It's a little to "post" post-apoc to qualify for the challenge. I'm still going to finish it because it is good and I have had it sitting on my reading list for a couple years now. I think I will try The First Days by Rhiannon Frater next. I want about 1/2 my apoc books to be zombie fiction, my favorite type. |
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Location: New Zealand | I love Rot & Ruin. An excellent zombie book. I really must read the rest of this series.
The First Days should definitely fit the criteria for apocalypse happening now and was a good read as well. |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-04-19 7:53 AM
I requested Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry from the library, but now that I have it and started reading it, I don't think this one is going to work for this challenge. It's a little to "post" post-apoc to qualify for the challenge. I'm still going to finish it because it is good and I have had it sitting on my reading list for a couple years now. I think I will try The First Days by Rhiannon Frater next. I want about 1/2 my apoc books to be zombie fiction, my favorite type.
I don't know, I haven't read it so can't speak to that. How far "post" is too far? I leave that entirely to your judgment!
I'm finally getting around to reading World War Z so I won't be without zombie apocalypses this year either. I'd love to hear some recommendations for some more; I'm sure you're not alone in wanting to read them!
I started Updraft for this challenge because it's award-nominated, current, and written by a female author I'm not familiar with (so qualifies for the Women of Genre Fiction challenge also) but I am finding it a challenge because it is very much YA fiction. I am hoping it's about to improve because it moved to a different stage and location, but it's pretty post-post-apocalypse too. It's clear they no longer have paper, trees, or writing, and for some reason they all live in huge bone towers above the clouds because the clouds are full of mostly invisible monsters called skymouths that eat you. Why all this has occurred has yet to be explained (if it ever will,) but it's also clear from little hints that this world was the Earth we knew or a lot like it at one point. |
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| Sable Aradia - 2016-04-06 8:06 PM
Note: challenge description is now edited to clarify re: dystopias.
The Rules:
* Any genre of fiction is acceptable, so long as it focuses on the end of the world as we know it.
* Re-reads are okay, but you must have read the book more than five years ago or it must be a new edition.
* Dystopias only count if they follow the end of the world. (So Oryx and Crake counts, but The Handmaid's Tale does not because only the United States went to hell; the rest of the world is doing just fine.)
* Video game and RPG tie ins are absolutely acceptable as long as the Apocalypse is the focus (so Dark Sun novels are perfect, but Shadowrun and Mechwarrior are not; Fallout, Wasteland and The Last of Us are perfect, but Mass Effect is not)
I'm excited by how this is growing! I can't wait to chat about the end of the world!
You know what? I've rethought this and I've changed my mind about Shadowrun. I suppose ultimately Shadowrun is about people trying to survive in a technological dystopia following a magical apocalypse. Upon reconsideration, that should definitely qualify. On the other hand, while there were apocalypses in Mass Effect and Mechwarrior, they were really McGuffins to start space wars, and the space war is the focus. So that might change your mind about what qualifies and what doesn't. Sorry for the confusion; this is, of course, the first time I've done the challenge and so I'm still working out the kinks! |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | Sable Aradia - 2016-04-23 2:19 AM
Badseedgirl - 2016-04-19 7:53 AM
I requested Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry from the library, but now that I have it and started reading it, I don't think this one is going to work for this challenge. It's a little to "post" post-apoc to qualify for the challenge. I'm still going to finish it because it is good and I have had it sitting on my reading list for a couple years now. I think I will try The First Days by Rhiannon Frater next. I want about 1/2 my apoc books to be zombie fiction, my favorite type.
I don't know, I haven't read it so can't speak to that. How far "post" is too far? I leave that entirely to your judgment!
I'm finally getting around to reading World War Z so I won't be without zombie apocalypses this year either. I'd love to hear some recommendations for some more; I'm sure you're not alone in wanting to read them!
I started Updraft for this challenge because it's award-nominated, current, and written by a female author I'm not familiar with (so qualifies for the Women of Genre Fiction challenge also ) but I am finding it a challenge because it is very much YA fiction. I am hoping it's about to improve because it moved to a different stage and location, but it's pretty post-post-apocalypse too. It's clear they no longer have paper, trees, or writing, and for some reason they all live in huge bone towers above the clouds because the clouds are full of mostly invisible monsters called skymouths that eat you. Why all this has occurred has yet to be explained (if it ever will, ) but it's also clear from little hints that this world was the Earth we knew or a lot like it at one point.
It is set 13 years after the zombie outbreak starts. I myself am going to try and stick to a strict interpretation of the rules. I want in the midst or just after the end.
As far as other zombie books. I adored Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout series. It is not over here but I would put it in if anyone wanted to read it. It is funny and tounge-in-cheek with just the right amount of gore. Now it is pretty low-brow but I still loved it enough that I have read the first 4 books in the series. What can I say, I love me some lowbrow zombie fiction! |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-04-23 12:37 PM
It is set 13 years after the zombie outbreak starts. I myself am going to try and stick to a strict interpretation of the rules. I want in the midst or just after the end.
As far as other zombie books. I adored Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout series. It is not over here but I would put it in if anyone wanted to read it. It is funny and tounge-in-cheek with just the right amount of gore. Now it is pretty low-brow but I still loved it enough that I have read the first 4 books in the series. What can I say, I love me some lowbrow zombie fiction!
Thanks for the recommendation! |
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| I've posted a review for Updraft if anyone cares to read it. Has anyone else posted reviews? |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I'm sort of ashamed to admit that so far I have not read any books from this challenge. I have a plan, but right now I am reading Justin Cronin's last book City of Mirrors (Yeah) and Well of Ascension by Brandon Sandreson. Both are 600+ page books. After that I am reading Mutated by Joe McKinney which is for this challenge and Wool, which I think will qualify.
Edited by Badseedgirl 2016-05-03 10:55 AM
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-05-03 8:54 AM
I'm sort of ashamed to admit that so far I have not read any books from this challenge. I have a plan, but right now I am reading Justin Cronin's last book City of Mirrors (Yeah) and Well of Ascension by Brandon Sandreson. Both are 600+ page books. After that I am reading Mutated by Joe McKinney which is for this challenge and Wool, which I think will qualify.
It took me a while to start this challenge too, because I had a bunch of other books on the go and a couple challenges I'm doing. I am giving this one priority at the moment though, mostly because most of the books I've chosen to read are library books and so I have a stack of about half a dozen of them right now. I put Wool on my list too, and I skimmed the start of it, and people are living in what used to be grain silos and bomb shelters to avoid going outside, and the protagonist has decided that he wants to go outside, so its seems to fit the bill Currently I'm reading Oryx and Crake, though. Might just read the rest of the trilogy as part of the challenge; it's pretty good. If not, I'll save it for next year's challenge! |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I read the first 2 books from Atwood's series but hsve not got to Mad Adam (sp) yet. Dsrk series. |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-05-05 12:48 PM
I read the first 2 books from Atwood's series but hsve not got to Mad Adam (sp) yet. Dsrk series.
Please pretend I'm an idiot and tell me what "dsrk" means?
Review of Oryx and Crake posted. I liked it a lot. Moving on to Plague Year by Jeff Carlson now. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | "Dsrk" means I need to trim my nails, it was also supposed to be "dark". Plague Year is on my reading list also. |
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| LOL! Been there, and was too tired to figure it out last night, sorry.
Yes, the first one certainly was dark! I put the others aside to pick up from the bookstore I work at and said that I'd buy the whole series if I liked the first book, and I do, so I might end up reading the rest of them as part of the challenge. Plague Year is starting after the plague has already been underway for several months. Pretty brutal stuff so far, and lots of action and very little soul-searching, so that's really refreshing after Margaret Atwood. |
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| So, resounding meh for "Plague Year" by Jeff Carlson. I seem to have done the first review on it for the site, so if you want to check it out, it's there. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I added not one, but two books for this challenge tonight! The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, third and final book in "The Passage" series. Excellent book and series. Although this novel occurs 150 some years after the initial vampire outbreak, there is of course a resurgence, so it works.
The second is Hater by David Moody. I thought this was a zombie book, but it was not. It was still quite good, with a caveat. The main character Danny McCoyne is a true anti-hero. He is a bit of a prick even before the outbreak, so this book might not be everyone's cup of tea.
My reviews are posted so check them out.
Edited by Badseedgirl 2016-05-27 9:56 PM
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Location: Middle TN, USA | Sable Aradia - 2016-05-20 1:52 AM
So, resounding meh for "Plague Year" by Jeff Carlson. I seem to have done the first review on it for the site, so if you want to check it out, it's there.
I read your review and OMG I thought I was the only person to use the mustache twirling villain reference. My ultimate use of it was for my review of Mira Grant's novel Feed. My review is easy to find it's titled "Mira Grant I hope Zombies Eat Your Brains"
Since you used that description of the governor, I knew exactly what you were going for! |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-05-27 7:48 PM
I added not one, but two books for this challenge tonight! The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, third and final book in "The Passage" series. Excellent book and series. Although this novel occurs 150 some years after the initial vampire outbreak, there is of course a resurgence, so it works.
The second is Hater by David Moody. I thought this was a zombie book, but it was not. It was still quite good, with a caveat. The main character Danny McCoyne is a true anti-hero. He is a bit of a prick even before the outbreak, so this book might not be everyone's cup of tea.
My reviews are posted so check them out.
Someone suggested The Passage to me when I told them about the challenge. So I'm planning on getting there! Might save it for next year at this point; I'll have to see.
Loved your review of The City of Mirrors though! I seriously might have to speed up the timetable on these. |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-05-27 8:08 PM
I read your review and OMG I thought I was the only person to use the mustache twirling villain reference. My ultimate use of it was for my review of Mira Grant's novel Feed. My review is easy to find it's titled "Mira Grant I hope Zombies Eat Your Brains"
Since you used that description of the governor, I knew exactly what you were going for!
LMAO! Thank you for pointing me to that review. That was a classic bit of high-quality snark! That book sounds absolutely awful, not only from your review but from the terrible synopsis. Sounds to me like somebody wanted to get in good with all the hip and groovy teens and so they wrote about what they thought teens wanted to read about (ie. zombies and the internetz) but, like most middle-aged people, colossally failed because middle-aged people only guess at what teens like. Also sounds like Grant made the same epic fail they all do; she forgot to write a plot in her quest to be hip and happening.
(I figured that anyone with a username of "Badseedgirl" probably thought something like I do.) |
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| Congratulations to Weesam! He's managed to read all 12 books already! Great job!
Which begs the question: do you guys want me to expand to a possible total of 24? I considered it but decided against it because it's the first year of the challenge, but I wasn't expecting people to be burning through it this fast (now there's a good expression when writing about post-apocalyptic novels, eh?) But I can change my mind if there's enough interest . . . |
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Location: New Zealand | Sable Aradia - 2016-06-01 5:29 PM
Congratulations to Weesam! He's managed to read all 12 books already! Great job!.
Actually, I'm a she not a he! Funny, everyone seems to make that mistake. Must be the 'sam' part of the name.
I might be willing to join again next year (or an expanded one this year), but only if it was able to include more post-apocalyptic stuff. The apocalypse 'now' bit of the challenge made it difficult for me to find books that fit that I actually wanted to read. |
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| Louise (Weesam) is a superstar, she is is a prodigious reader of many challenges. I think the rest of us are probably happy if we can do all 12. |
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| Weesam - 2016-06-01 12:37 AM
Actually, I'm a she not a he! Funny, everyone seems to make that mistake. Must be the 'sam' part of the name.
I might be willing to join again next year (or an expanded one this year), but only if it was able to include more post-apocalyptic stuff. The apocalypse 'now' bit of the challenge made it difficult for me to find books that fit that I actually wanted to read.
Oops! So hard to tell with internet handles! Yeah, you're right, it's the "sam" part that made me assume. Sorry!
You know, the name was intended to be a catchy reference to the classic movie; it was *not* intended to limit things to a current, happening-right-now apocalypse. I think post-apocalyptica is just fine, but I wanted to differentiate apocalyptica from dystopia. Often literature has a dystopia following an apocalypse, but I didn't want dystopian literature *without* the apocalypse, if you see what I mean.
That's why I used Margaret Atwood as my example. The Handmaid's Tale is about a dystopia that resulted from religious gender politics, but there was no apocalypse; the world sucked only because of the dystopian political situation (and it wasn't even the whole world; and it's a good lesson because that's basically what happened to Afghanistan; they were a modern progressive country not that long ago). Oryx and Crake, however, is a dystopia partially due to politics (or rather, political support of rampant corporatism; yet another good lesson for us) but mostly because the world was on the verge of ecological collapse and then there was a major genetically-engineered plague.
In one of the novels I read, Plague Day, the world has already experienced the apocalypse (although just recently) and the world is now dealing with the aftermath and attempting to cure a nanotech plague. In Wool, the one I'm currently reading, the apocalypse happened gods only know how many years ago, and the survivors are living in underground silos and trying to reconstruct the past that their leadership is keeping from them.
On a separate but related topic, I have to say, one thing I really enjoy about this site is how many women are here! I'm used to being the only girl at a mostly-boys club. It's downright refreshing! |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I just signed up for the tor short story challenge so that makes my challenges for the year 15, I'm probably good with 12 books for this challenge.
@Weesam - I think we, myself included, are interpreting the parameters of this challenge to narrowly. after looking at the actual parameters, it only says the apoc. should be the focus. So I have decided Rot & Ruin would qualify, but with my interpretation Station Eleven would not. Because in Rot & Ruin even though it had been years, the zombies who were the cause of the apoc. were still the focus, where in Station Eleven, it was more about rebuilding several years after the virus had decimated the population. Sable your thoughts on this interpretation? |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | Sable Aradia - 2016-06-01 12:13 AM
Badseedgirl - 2016-05-27 7:48 PM
I added not one, but two books for this challenge tonight! The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, third and final book in "The Passage" series. Excellent book and series. Although this novel occurs 150 some years after the initial vampire outbreak, there is of course a resurgence, so it works.
The second is Hater by David Moody. I thought this was a zombie book, but it was not. It was still quite good, with a caveat. The main character Danny McCoyne is a true anti-hero. He is a bit of a prick even before the outbreak, so this book might not be everyone's cup of tea.
My reviews are posted so check them out.
Someone suggested The Passage to me when I told them about the challenge. So I'm planning on getting there! Might save it for next year at this point; I'll have to see
Just beware that The Passage series is a commitment. The first book, The Passage is 766 pages, the second The Twelve is 568 and the third The City of Mirrors is 624. Don't let that dissuade you because it totally worth the effort, but I might not take the series until you have some time. Probably not "summer read" material! |
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Location: New Zealand | Looks like I was defining the challenge a little too tightly. Given the new understanding I now have, I could find more books. If you run this challenge again next year I'll join. Plenty of zombie apocalypse series that need to be finished. I am happy with the 12 books this year. Still got to really sink my teeth into that Pick & Mix challenge - I'm running a little behind on it. |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-06-01 1:06 PM
@Weesam - I think we, myself included, are interpreting the parameters of this challenge to narrowly. after looking at the actual parameters, it only says the apoc. should be the focus. So I have decided Rot & Ruin would qualify, but with my interpretation Station Eleven would not. Because in Rot & Ruin even though it had been years, the zombies who were the cause of the apoc. were still the focus, where in Station Eleven, it was more about rebuilding several years after the virus had decimated the population. Sable your thoughts on this interpretation?
Having not yet read it myself, so only guessing based on what I've heard and the synopsis, I'd let it pass. The apocalypse was the cause of all the events that are happening, right? And none of the events would have happened without it? Then I would count it, sure. 1984 doesn't count though, because people allowed a dystopia without any apocalyptic impetus. See what I'm saying? |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-05-27 7:48 PM
Just beware that The Passage series is a commitment. The first book, The Passage is 766 pages, the second The Twelve is 568 and the third The City of Mirrors is 624. Don't let that dissuade you because it totally worth the effort, but I might not take the series until you have some time. Probably not "summer read" material!
PAH! That doesn't care me! I read the first edition of The Stand when I was eleven. I will wait a while, though, because yes, I've got a lot on my plate at the moment, and a stack of things that are ahead in the queue. Thanks! |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I think I'm going to reread The Stand. I have not read it since Jr High and that has been way way w-w-w-a-a-a-a-a-y-y longer than five years ago. I am doing a library summer reading challenge, and reread is one of the goals.
Also if anyone is looking for another excellent post- apoc novel "The Reapers Are The Angels" by Alden Bell. One of the best zombie novels I have ever read. Think "To Kill A Mockingbird" meets the zombie genre. |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-06-04 3:13 PM
I think I'm going to reread The Stand. I have not read it since Jr High and that has been way way w-w-w-a-a-a-a-a-y-y longer than five years ago. I am doing a library summer reading challenge, and reread is one of the goals.
Also if anyone is looking for another excellent post- apoc novel "The Reapers Are The Angels" by Alden Bell. One of the best zombie novels I have ever read. Think "To Kill A Mockingbird" meets the zombie genre.
Sounds good! Might have to check that one out too. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | Sable Aradia - 2016-06-05 5:24 PM
Badseedgirl - 2016-06-04 3:13 PM
I think I'm going to reread The Stand. I have not read it since Jr High and that has been way way w-w-w-a-a-a-a-a-y-y longer than five years ago. I am doing a library summer reading challenge, and reread is one of the goals.
Also if anyone is looking for another excellent post- apoc novel "The Reapers Are The Angels" by Alden Bell. One of the best zombie novels I have ever read. Think "To Kill A Mockingbird" meets the zombie genre.
Sounds good! Might have to check that one out too.
I enjoyed so much I hunted down the second book in the series and bought a copy for myself and our local library. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | If anyone's interested there are lots of apoc/post apoc and just plain fun reads over at the tor.com challenge. Even if you don't sign up for the challenge the stories are good! |
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Location: Belgium | Just finished book 8 for this challenge which was 'I Am Legend', although 'The Mist' by Stephen King is probably a borderline case as per the rules (because it's not really certain that the whole world is gone). Now starting with 'The Girl With All the Gifts'. |
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Location: Middle TN, USA | I have put "The Screwfly Solution" on my challenge, I normally would not put a short story into a challenge, except for the Tor.com challenge obviously, but this little gem packs such a wallop in a small package that I could not help but add it.
I also realized S.M. Stirling was not on my list, how could I have an apoc reading list and not include the master of the sword and shield post apoc world created in his series "Emberverse." I had to start with book 5 (or book 2 of Emberverse II) because I have already read the first ones. The series is a delicious romp into the post apoc world, highly recommend the series for it's entertainment value, not its literary merits, which are admittedly thin!! |
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Location: behind the 4th wall | I read 18 books for the Apocalypse Now challenge. These were my favorites.
The Chimes by Anna Smaill
The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife and The Book of Etta by Meg Elison
The Power by Naomi Alderman
A Lovely Way to Burn by Louise Welsh
(I probably violated the whole no dystopia rule of the challenge. I just categorize all these types of books as "end of the world". Sorry!)
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| Welcome back to this year's Apocalypse Now! Challenge! I'm looking forward to watching the end of the world repeatedly with all of you. What are you starting with? |
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| Badseedgirl - 2016-11-08 8:09 AM
I have put "The Screwfly Solution" on my challenge, I normally would not put a short story into a challenge, except for the Tor.com challenge obviously, but this little gem packs such a wallop in a small package that I could not help but add it.
I also realized S.M. Stirling was not on my list, how could I have an apoc reading list and not include the master of the sword and shield post apoc world created in his series "Emberverse." I had to start with book 5 (or book 2 of Emberverse II) because I have already read the first ones. The series is a delicious romp into the post apoc world, highly recommend the series for it's entertainment value, not its literary merits, which are admittedly thin!!
I've read Stirling's first trilogy in that series and loved it. Going to work on doing a re-read this year so that I can remember the details well enough to follow everything that happens in the later books. I would have to cite Stirling as one of my influences for my Wyrd West series (along with The Dark Tower series, of course). Add in Tolkien and probably War Day, and spaghetti westerns, and that's the batch of stuff churning around in my head that built that idea. |
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| kabouter - 2016-07-06 6:24 AM
Just finished book 8 for this challenge which was 'I Am Legend', although 'The Mist' by Stephen King is probably a borderline case as per the rules (because it's not really certain that the whole world is gone). Now starting with 'The Girl With All the Gifts'.
I'd count The Mist. It seems pretty clear something horrible and dramatic has happened, the movie notwithstanding. |
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| dalex - 2017-12-27 4:43 AM
I read 18 books for the Apocalypse Now challenge. These were my favorites.
The Chimes by Anna Smaill
The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife and The Book of Etta by Meg Elison
The Power by Naomi Alderman
A Lovely Way to Burn by Louise Welsh
(I probably violated the whole no dystopia rule of the challenge. I just categorize all these types of books as "end of the world". Sorry!)
Hey, it's cool, you decide your choices! I just tried to exclude strictly dystopia (as opposed to dystopia AND apocalypse) because everyone was reading dystopia exclusively without facing the existential angst of the end of the world and the possible mortality of the human species. |
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Apocalypse Now 2016 Reading Challenge