I tend to pick books that are true crime or dystopian and I stayed true to that in this list but I’ve also listed a few from my childhood that really took me down that path of loving dystopian fiction.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008)
This series was so popular and when it became a movie even more so. I remember taking a young girl to see the premiere at midnight and before that we got matching t-shirts to celebrate. This series is about a world where there are 12 districts and a girl named Katniss who, after her sister is sent to her doom to fight in the games, she volunteers as a replacement and didn’t realize that she would cause a revolution that will end them all. This series brings back so many happy memories and it will always be up there in my favorites.
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005)
This series, oh boy, if I didn’t love Greek mythology before I read this, well I certainly love it after the fact. This series is about a young boy who just can’t seem to keep himself out of trouble. When one day he finds himself fighting a half man, half bull creature and his world turned upside down. If you love Greek mythology, you’ll love this series.
- Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (1998)
This series was a childhood favorite. It’s probably the first dystopian novel I’ve ever written and I didn’t realize that till now. This series follows a boy who shouldn’t have even been born, due to the fact that the world only allows parents to have 2 children. He has to stay hidden and can never be able to set foot even outside. Until one day, he does.
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (1967)
When I say this book is pretty old, well, I wasn’t even thinking of it yet. My mom actually told me about this book and I saw the movie after I read the book, which did not do it justice, but had some pretty famous actors in it. This series is about a gang called the greasers and when one of them committed murder, they were on the run. You laugh, you cry, and it just has you rooting for the good guys all the way to the end.
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009)
This one I found by going down a rabbit hole and well I was pleasantly surprised. This series is about a young boy who wakes up in a strange place surrounded by 4 giant walls, a huge maze and several other children his age. Their fight to survive is what makes you come back wanting more.
