Between last Sunday’s game-changing episode of The Walking Dead and our first glimpse of the (extremely) long-awaited film adaptation of World War Z, it seems that shambling, undead hordes are once again haunting the collective unconscious…Whether they’re mindless, brain-eating fiends, or self-aware, or just dancing or falling in love, zombies are here to stay. Below are 15 essential reads to satisfy even the most brain-hungry zombie fans.
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week, there’s either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills… and there’s nothing wrong with Joe Ledger’s skills. He’s a Baltimore detective that has just been secretly recruited by the government for a new taskforce created to deal with the problems that Homeland Security can’t handle…including a hideous new bioweapon capable of turning ordinary people into zombies.
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
Self-aware zombies are a great twist on the classic formula. It’s so hard to have a zombie as a protagonist, but Diana Rowland pulls it off excellently with her White Trash Zombie series. Will Angela Crawford be able to resist her newfound desire to eat brains? Will she find love? This urban fantasy adds southern charm and humor to an unorthodox zombie story.
Feed (Newsflesh Trilogy #1) by Mira Grant
What would a zombie invasion look like from the perspective of a blogger? Mira Grant’s Feed answers that question as well as mixing political intrigue into an already action-packed plot. The first books was once described by The A.V. Club as “The West Wing by way of George Romero.” If you want politics with your zombies, The Newsflesh Trilogy is for you.
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
Probably the most unique take on zombies on this list, this one is an honest-to-goodness sexy zombie romance. Don’t think zombies can be sexy or romantic? Well, check out the book that will defy all the preconceptions you might have about love and the undead!
The Living Dead, edited by John Joseph Adams
From Stephen King to Poppy Z. Brite, Neil Gaiman, Laurell K. Hamilton and the great Harlan Ellison, this anthology has a talented range of awesome authors ready and willing to take on zombies, and take the genre to a whole new level. From editor John Joseph Adams, this may be the definitive zombie short story anthology.
The Brain Eater’s Bible by J.D. McGhoul with Pat Kilbane
If you wake up and find that you’ve turned into a zombie, this book will prove to be invaluable. Written as a kind of self-help book, the road to accepting yourself as a member of the reanimated dead can be tough, but The Brain Eater’s Bible has all the advice you’ll need to adjust. Don’t think of yourself as slow and stupid! You’re just a zombie. Learn to deal.
Portlandtown by Rob DeBorde
Are you ready for a rollicking supernatural western set in a zombie-infested Oregon? It’s the Wyldes versus the zombies with a little bit of magic thrown in there too. If the floods don’t get you, the shamblers will!
As the World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy by Rhiannon Frater
Here’s a series of books which helped proved that self-published authors can make it online and eventually have a major book deal on their hands. If you’re looking for some action-packed zombie-killing, look no further than Frater’s Jenni and Katie shooting up the undead, Texas-style!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
This YA title is set post-zombie apocalypse, as the cannibalistic undead try to attack a small band of survivors in a forest is protected by the Sisterhood of the Guardians (and a fence which traps the living as well as it keeps out the dead). Narrated by the teenaged survivor Mary, the book has a personal feel on par with The Hunger Games. Does the ocean still exist? Is Mary wrong to believe in it? Read this novel and the rest in the bestselling series to find out.
The Passage by Justin Cronin
Though heralded as book riding on the mainstream vampire craze, all sorts of mutants show up in Justin Cronin’s The Passage trilogy, including zombie-like creatures. After releasing this first book in a planned trilogy to widespread acclaim in 2011, Cronin then heated things up with the recent sequel, The Twelve. This is one great series to follow if you aren’t already on board!
The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Living Dead by Roger Ma
Roger Ma’s handy Zombie Combat Manual can turn anyone into a seasoned, zombie-slaying warrior. Let’s not just survive the zombie outbreak, let’s take the fight back to the brain-eaters! A great satire of a bygone era of combat/survival manuals.
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
One of the leading authors in the steampunk genre, Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker is the first book in the Clockwork Century series, which will see its latest installment released next week with The Inexplicables! Not only do Priest’s novels feature anachronistic alternate history around every turn, but there are zombies lurking, too! Boneshaker was also recently optioned for a movie, so it’s time to get caught up on this truly awesome series.
World War Z by Max Brooks
Following his satirical Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brooks took a decidedly more serious approach with World War Z. Told from numerous perspectives from around the globe, this zombie apocalypse feels frighteningly real. Though the film adaptation has been bogged down in development problems (and you might be having mixed reactions to the aforementioned teaser trailer), the novel is worth anyone’s time—zombie fan, or no.
Dead of Night by Jonathan Maberry
A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave….but some drugs have unforeseen side effects. Before he can be buried, the killer wakes up. Hungry. Infected. Contagious. This is the way the world ends: not with a bang…but a bite.
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore
If you’re a fan of the runaway hit TV series of the same name, remember it all started here! Robert Kirkman’s dark tale about a zombie outbreak and its aftermath makes us not only fear the undead, but worry about how the survivors of this horrific future can possibly learn to trust each other in the face of so much carnage. Essential reading for any zombie fan.
So that’s our list, but of course there’s plenty more where that came from—let us know which of your favorite zombie books should be considered required reading!
Stubby the Rocket is the voice and mascot of Tor.com. Stubby always aims for the head. Stubby rarely misses.
There are no zombies in The Passage. Please provide an example.
Ive heard that Raising of Stony Mayhall is a fantastic zombie book…just hearsay…just sayin’
Five words: The Reapers Are the Angels.
Pretty good list. But whaddabout?
1. “The Rising,” Brian Keene
2. “The Reapers Are The Angels,” Alden Bell
3. “Don’t Eat Cat,” Jess Walter (Kindle Single)
Blurgh… The Passage was horrible.
And try “Zone One” by Colson Whitehead, that’s a great zombie read.
The passage is a vampire storie, still it has the same feel as the zombie storie.
The Reapers Are the Angels is the best story featuring zombies I know of, and one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s a hauntingly beautiful book.
Another interesting zombie novel is Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines. It has the zombie apocalypse take place in a world where superheroes exist. The surviving superheroes have fortified themselves in Hollywood and try to protect the remnants of humanity against the zombie horde, which includes some zombiefied fallen superheroes.
And the Passage is a zombie apocalypse story for all intents and purposes. That it features monstrous vampires instead of zombies is just a detail.
I think Reaper Man, a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, deserves a mention.
I did a quick skim of titles and have to add one more to the list. Plague of the Dead by Z. A. Recht is a very good read. It’s the first part in a trilogy (he was a young guy and, sadly, died between book 2 being published & finishing book 3 but somebody else did eventually pick up and finish up the last) and, for anybody who has actually served in the US Army, you can tell that he has, too.
A quick edit, now that I’ve actually read the list. I’ve read almost half of these and it’s a very good list. I’ll have to check out the ones I haven’t read yet. Can’t wait to see what everybody else adds, too.
Paladin of Souls, by Lois McMaster Bujold. No, seriously. It’s a zombie romance.
Another vote for Daaryl Gregory’s “Raising Stony Mayhall”!
Patrick D’Orazio’s The Dark Trilogy gets my vote.
Brains: A Zombie’s Memoir by Robin Becker
One of the earlier books on the zombies tale as told by the zombie himself. As with all viruses there are mutations and she gives a select group differnt abilities so they can cope in their new melieu. Worth the read.
The classic template for zombie stories has no zombies in it. I’m talking about “Leiningen vs. the Ants” by Carl Stephenson, first published in ESQUIRE in 1938. The oncoming horde of army ants in that story are mindless, seemingly without number, and they will eat you if you get in their way.
I’ve read The Raising of Stony Mayhall and it was excellent although it’s probably only technically a zombie book.
Day by Day Armageddon by J.L. Bourne.
I’ve read a few zombie books and the very best I’ve read is
BREATHERS: A ZOMBIE’S LAMENT by S.G. BROWNE
What about the Aftertime series by Sophie Littlefield?
There’s a new one in the genre, that puts a zombie twist on the clasic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. INFECTED.
No list of zombie novels is complete without THIS DARK EARTH by John Hornor Jacobs. Even for zombie fans a little tired and jaded of our beloved shamblers, there is something new in this book that makes it *highly* recommended.
Good to see MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE in the list. One of my favourite books, ever.
i am missing the zombie books named : monster island, monster nation and monster world, by david wellington, this trilogy works on more than one level and is very entertaining certainly desirved a mention on this list
Too bad Patient Zero was terrible. Double Dead by Chuck Wendig is better times a thousand.
You left out Scott Kenemore’s excellent Zombie, Ohio!
Mira Grant’s Feed is the worst book I have ever read.
A few other must-reads are:
The Reapers Are The Angels
Pariah (one of my favorites)
Enclave & Outpost
I know they’re not ‘zombies’ but… Where’s “I Am Legend”!!
Where is Cell by Stephen King?
@xrobzix & Basel Gill – good call!
THE PASSAGE is great, but it doesn’t belong on a list of Zombie books. AUTUMN by David Moody should be on this list instead.
I am thrilled Jonathan Mayberry is represented, he is an incredible author but where is my man Joe McKinney. Joe has a set of books called the DEAD WORLD series that turns the world upside down with incredible characters, action packed flesh eating and man’s inhumanity to man and to zombies. If you haven’t read the DEAD WORLD set, I would put down all reads and grab these as quick as you can.
In addition, check out Wayne Simmons, a young Irish lad that has introduced zombie-ism through the FLU and FEVER. I love the setting as much as Joe’s (since he is Texan and I hail from the same state) but the uniqueness of this occurring in Ireland let’s you imagine the onset in a foreign locale. Wayne has done an incredible job with the culture and the attacks.
That said, I love the WALKING DEAD books. Kirkman and Bonansinga bring the gaps in the WALKING DEAD show and comic to life with RISE OF THE GOVERNOR and ROAD TO WOODBURY. Intelligent writing with great action and descriptive text that will keep you awake at night fearing the knashing of teeth outside the door.
Not a real great list but hey, I guess they can’t be right all the time. TOR is a great publishing house.
Raising Stony Mahall by Daryl Gregory is a great Zombie read
I love your list and look forward to reading the books on it. However, I think that Jonathan Maberry’s BENNY IMURA series which includes ROT & RUIN, DUST & DECAY and FLESH & BONE should definitely be included. This series is an excellent read for both young adults and adults alike. I highly recommend it!!
What about Keaton’s ZEE BEE & BEE or Brooks’ ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE???
Lotta good add-ons here already, try NOT DEAD by a`la Dang(?) as well. A little short (novella), but waaay worth the read.
Patient Zero reads like Mary Sue fan fiction. Joe Ledger and his random friends are just magically more competent than everyone else working in this field for ever.
But at least you did not put that Brian Keene garbage on your list. I give you points for that.
The 5 book series “Autumn” is excellent.
What about Zombielicious by Timothy Mcgivney? Gays are hot right now.
Ok folks let me shine a light on some decent Zombie fare-such would be Ty Schwamberger’s-The Fields tale is set in the deep south and for sure does a unique spin on the usual Zombie tale,it is good,spooky and well worth the cost.In fact I have yet to read any bad work by this guy,so I am gonna highly suggest this one especially..
A great list.
I am personally thankful to Max Brooks for turning zombie novels into a serious little sub-genre of the modern novel.
If any readers are looking for a quick zombie comedy fix then they can dig into our comedy novella Land Down Undead about backpacking through Australia after the zombie apocalypse.
One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau (of “A Softer World” fame – http://www.asofterworld.com). Maybe not strictly a zombie book, it cetrtainly has zombie in it, and her young daughter trying to keep her in check and hold on to some semblance of normalcy for herself and her younger sister. It’s an often funny and incredibly touching story and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Pretty good list, but definately incomplete. My favorite is ZOMBIES: A RECORD OF THE YEAR OF INFECTION by DON ROFF & CHRIS LANE. Probably the best artwork of any zombie book out there. Period.
The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell is spectacular–written like a literary zombie western. Love Newsflesh and Warm Bodies as well!
The ‘Feed’ trilogy by Mira Grant were by far the most unique, fantastically written, darkly funny zombie books I have ever had the pleasure to read- 3 times!! I was sad when I finished Feed because I had been so immersed in it, and when I found out that it was an actual series I though I’d died and gone to heaven!! There were a few little idiosyncrasies in the second book ‘Countdown’, but that was probably because was so intensely enthralled I couldn’t put it down long enough to let my head clear!! Definitely highly recommended, also World War Z & Survival Guide for the Zombie Apocalypse by Max Brooks (Mel Brooks’ son). I am a very avid zombie fiction reader so I hope this little insight can be of benefit to others!!
There is a really popular up-and-coming book called After America: Plague. Very entertaining read. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/After-America-Plague-ebook/dp/B00AU6J0DC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I would suggested a book series called The book of Flesh, anthology of zombie stories from fantastic writter’s, my favourite is the book of more flesh, from zombie rabbits to love stories in zombie amusement parks, its got everything for a pure zombie nut.
The “Autumn” series by David Moody is really good! 5 amazing books,a nd I found it hard to put each of them down! I also heard his “Hater” trilogy is awesome, but I havn’t started it yet. I would add Z.A. Rechts’s “Plague of the Dead” trilogy as well!
I just read a new zombie novel called the Night Sweeper. Super cool. It was very action oriented and was kind-of a new take on the genre I think. It’s supposed to be the start of a series and it has a killer cliffhanger.
Where is Apocalypse Z a great zombie book and a lot better than a few of these.
COOKIE, zombie apocalypse by Scarlett Dupree has fast, scary zombies that talk. pretty creepy. And the lead is a girl that kicks zombie ass. Really witty and funny and full of gore. It’s got some pretty hot sex in it as well. Definitely recommend.
I’ve read the five book series Autumn which i loved. Great blog and I just bought my life as a white trash, so thanks for the recommend!
I’ve just finished the Reapers Are The Angels based on recomendations from this site and i have to say its fantastic. I’m almost in mourning that i’ve finished it.
Its stunning and will stay with me for a long time. As someone said its hauntingly beautiful.
Get out of my head!!! Read every one of those books and I think these were good picks for MUST reads!
I have just released a new book, Bisexual Vegetarian Zombies – available on Amazon.com. It is an intelligent political commentary wrapped up in a zombie parody. I have gotten very strong feedback from all initial readers.
No zombie book list is complete without Zombie Attack! by Devan Sagliani. That book is amazing!
World War Z was indeed a gread read!
Even Zombie Killers Get The Blues
http://www.facebook.com/ezkgtb
A military oriented approach to the Zombie Story, it focuses more on the soldiers themselves the zombies.
The chapters are posted every few days as a serial on Facebook. Volume One is on sale on Amazon.
The Remaining series by D.J. Molles is a solid read, JJ Zep’s 14 novela Zombie D.O.A. series is wild and fun but raw (bad editing), and
Manel Loureiro’s Apocalypse Z is a fun read about the plague in Europe.
Couple zombie E-readers that I would put on the list. They probably don’t get as much attention as they paper books. The first is The Remaining by D.J. Molles and the second is The Demented by Derek Thomas. Both were well paced, gritty zombie books.
all yall should go and read EDEN by Tony Monchinski and Tommy Arlin. it’s really good.
You should check out Great Bitten by Warren Fielding. Great up and coming writer.
Lol. people are so obsessed with zombie apocalypse idea that we’ll be watching a “Zombie Diaries” TV Show in nearest future :DD (no Dobrev in it). Btw i’m obsessed to, watched every movie with zombies, even played every flah zomgie games on the net. :)
The Zombie Notebooks is the funniest zombie story I have read in a while. I read it cuz Kirkus review said it was like the walking dead. I wouldn’t compare it to that – it was filled with teenagers and it was funny. I would call it a Buffy, with zombies instead of vampires.
I was surprised to not see any mentions of LZR-1143 by Bryan James. The series was an excellent, fast-paced read.
Into the Darkness by Fox Lee is an an outstanding horror novel with unique zombies and a very original format that features the “bad guys” and zombies. Last time I saw, it had over 25 reviews and they were all 5-star reviews.
(full disclosure – I am the author)
Get Off My L@wn is said in many reviews to be a different take on the zombie genre. For starters it’s told from the point of view of a middle aged computer programmer…
Please check it out on Amazon. Thanks!
Very interesting! I watched something on YouTube that was very similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOLCoCfApcQ
Entire Tales of the Living Dead on YouTube to watch for free.
Great list – a few there that we haven’t read so thanks for sharing! If you’re interested in real zombies check out our zombie experience day website :-)
The Zombie Survival Guide was not, is not, and never will be “satire.” Brooks has said in many interviews that he wrote a survival guide, not a satirical look at one. He says that you can remove the zombies and survive in other situations. Brooks has said for years that it irks him that the book is often in the “humor” section of bookstores.
I also have never seen Roger Ma say that his book is a satirical look at survival guides or combat manuals. He maintains a website with his fighting techniques, has demonstrated his techniques for tv shows, and so on.
If you wanna read a unique but morbidly hilarious take on the zombie genre, search Amazon for “I Am Become Zombie” by C. L. Allen. He’s an indie author, but trust me. It’s freaking great. Part 2 is due out this summer.
Some of those r pretty good. U don’t have my favorite tho.
Requiem for Humanity, Last days book one, by Joseph Sweet
Epic! get it! Read it! Love it! Can’t say enough. I’ve read it like ten times. waiting impatiently for book two.
Don’t foregot… Apacolypse Z: Begining of the End, Apacolypse Z: Dark Days, Apacolypse Z: The Wrath of the Just.
I vouch 100% this is a great read. I read all three and hope there are more to be translated.
Written by: Manel Loureiro and beautifully translated by: Pamela Carmell.
“An international bestselling author, Manel Loureiro was born in Pontevedra, Spain, and studied law at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. After graduation, he worked in television, both on-screen (appearing on Television de Galicia) and behind-the-scenes as a writer. His Apocalypse Z novels, including The Beginning of the End and Dark Days, took him from the blogosphere to bestsellerdom, earning him acclaim as “the Spanish Stephen King” by La Voz de Galicia. He continues to reside in his native Pontevedra, where, in addition to writing, he is still a practicing lawyer.”
Hey Dudes,
Has anyone tried reading Adrian’s Undead Diary? It’s like 8 complete novels and probably the funniest zombie apocalypse story I’ve ever read.
Deaders by Steven Bynum is a new zompoc novel. Really good.
I found a pretty good blog, the writer is pretty good, she writes a chapter every month. Hasn’t gotten to the really good stuff but the characters are likeable… Worth checking out http://www.zombiesfornurses.weeble.com
I just want to add Eric A. Shelmans series Dead Hunger to this list! Totally awesome and sucked me in so bad I never wanted it to end!
Sean Schubert’s zombie apocalypse set in Alaska is the best ever. Read the series, you won’t be disappointed.
I also liked
Joseph Talluto- White Flag of the Dead Series
Mark Tufo’s – Zombie Fallout Series (though it isn’t strictly just zombies.)
Megan Berry’s- Zomb-Pocalypse
Rachel Auke’s- Deadland Saga &
Amanda Hocking’s- Hollowland
I also highly recommend all of Nicholas Ryan’s zombie thrillers. His Ground Zero was the first zombie book I ever read and what got me hooked on this genre. They are all standalone and are extremely well written. Here is his Amazon author page.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NSuoF4
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1R9gqku
My ultimate favorite novels in the zombie genre will always be Mira Grant’s
Newsflesh series: Feed, Deadline and Blackout. Then there’s novellas which both explain how the zombies came to be, and others add more depth to the series. I would either buy the novels in the boxed set (or online… or perhaps both, like I did ;] As for the novellas, buy Rise:Then Complete Newsflesh Collection as contains all of them in one book. She also wrote one more Newsflesh novel, set during the time of Feed, but with different characters, working for a different politician than the Masons. It’s called Feedback, and it’s pretty awesome. too.
But Zombie books that I love that I didn’t see mentioned above? Here we go!
Rise Again & Rise Again: Below Zero by Ben Tripp
Contagion & World Without End by L.I. Albemont
Dust by Joan Frances Turner
Double Dead & Double Dead: Bad Blood by Chuck Wendig
Positive by David Wellington
This is Not a Test & Please Remain Calm by Courtney Summers
The Survival Instinct novels by Kristal Stittle
Zombies: The Recent Dead by Various Authors (anthology)
Infection & The Killing Floor by Craig DiLouie
Tooth and Nail by Craig DiLouie
Cordyceps and Cordyceps Resurgentis by Ian Duncan
Time of Death: Induction & Time of Death: Asylum by Shana Festa
21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology
The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology
Extreme Zombies: A Zombie Anthology
I, Zombie by Hugh Howey
Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall
The Living Dead and The Living Dead 2 (anthologies)
Nights of the Living Dead (anthology edited by the awesome Jonathan Mayberry and the man, the myth, the legend *and sadly, has passed since this book was published* Mr. George A. Romero!)
I’m sure there’s other zombie books that I love that I’ve forgotten to post. But my fingers are screaming in pain, and my eyeballs feel like someone’s thrown a glass of acid in them.
Until next time, aloha!