The best zompoc books (zombie + apocalypse)

Why am I passionate about this?

Chris Philbrook spent almost two decades figuring out he didn’t want to use his business degree for business, and his psychology degree for mental health. Instead, he started writing books about zombies, several of which went on to hit bestseller status, and life has been far better as a result. He has authored over 25 books now, spanning multiple genres.


I wrote...

Dark Recollections

By Chris Philbrook,

Book cover of Dark Recollections

What is my book about?

Dark Recollections follows a middle-aged man named Adrian Ring. Adrian wakes up to the sound of a shotgun going off just outside his condo, and things don’t get better as the day goes on. People have started dying, but they aren’t staying that way, and Adrian soon finds himself desperately fighting for survival, and figuring out what the future could possibly hold in a world overrun by pure evil.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Zombie Fallout

Chris Philbrook Why did I love this book?

Mike Talbot is the main character in Mark Tufo’s series, and he’s beloved by the hundreds of thousands of people who have read the sixteen-book epic. Mike’s story follows his survival in the wake of a botched vaccine spreading an undead plague, but as we discover, there’s far more happening beneath the surface of his reality. There are companion novel series’ connected to Zombie Fallout, and they expand on the events in this core saga. But, telling you their titles might spoil some of the world development. If you enjoy brutal survival, with powerful emotional realism and sarcastic humor that will have you holding your sides, this is a premier series in the zompoc genre.

By Mark Tufo,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Zombie Fallout as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Zombie Fallout It was a flu season like no other. With fears of contracting the H1N1 virus running rampant throughout the country, people lined up in droves to try an attain one of the coveted vaccines. What was not known, was the effect this largely untested, rushed to market, inoculation was to have on the unsuspecting throngs. Within days, feverish folk throughout the country, convulsed, collapsed and died, only to be re-born. With a taste for brains, blood and bodies, these modern day zombies scoured the lands for their next meal. Overnight the country became a killing ground for the…


Book cover of Autumn

Chris Philbrook Why did I love this book?

Autumn is a two-stage apocalypse story that spills out the horror of the world ending from a mysterious infection, followed up by a second, species-crushing wave of terror as the dead return to life to finish the job the infection began. Autumn is dark, and brutal, and is an older book in the genre, but a refreshing take on the trope of zombies. It’s filled with beautiful imagery and characters with depth and runs into a six-book series.

By David Moody,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Autumn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In less than twenty-four hours a vicious and virulent viral epidemic destroys virtually all of the population. Billions are killed, within minutes. There are no symptoms and no warnings; within moments of infection each victim suffers a violent and agonising death. At the end of ten minutes, only a handful of survivors remain. By the end of the first day those survivors wish they were dead. By the end of the first week, as the dead get up and walk, they know they are in hell. AUTUMN, the classic free underground novel finally bursts into the mainstream. It is cold,…


Book cover of Until the End of the World

Chris Philbrook Why did I love this book?

Sarah Lyons Fleming has an almost supernatural ability to create human tension amongst powerfully real characters. In her four book series she creates a tremendous amount of terror and melancholy amongst her troupe of friends as they travel through unending hordes of the dead. Sarah’s series crosses seasons and years, bringing in the effects of weather, and the environment, and expands the terror of the monsters into a blood-soaked boomerang that Keeps. Coming. Back.

By Sarah Lyons Fleming,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Until the End of the World as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

★Named one of BookBub's 14 Can't-Miss Zombie Series★ ★One of Popsugar’s 68 Books to Read While Social Distancing★

Cities fall. Worlds end. Zombies never die.
Join a group of friends on a journey that takes them to places they never imagined.

Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she stopped painting, broke off her engagement to Adrian, and dated a real jerk. Self-improvement can wait, however. First, Cassie and her…


Book cover of Animals

Chris Philbrook Why did I love this book?

Zompoc novels that involve kids are a tough pill to swallow, but David and Wesley have done something totally different with their story of a field trip gone awry in the early days of the apocalypse. One part Lord of the Flies, one part Night of the Living Dead, the three books in the Feral Children series sees school kids surviving the zombie apocalypse trapped in the city zoo, and it follows them as they befriend the animals there, and then step out with those animals at their backs. The Feral Children gives you the opportunity to read about clever kids surviving the horrors of the undead, as well as getting the chance to read about what a bear might do when faced with the undead.

By David A. Simpson, Wesley R. Norris,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Animals as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The bears were hungry and the panther was pacing her cage.

It was supposed to be a fun field trip to the zoo. Instead, it turned into a nightmare of blood.

The zombie virus spread like wildfire. By noon, they were all alone. Abandoned. Safe inside the fences, a group of school kids are the only survivors. Like the animals, they’ve spent their whole lives being cared for and fed, pampered and loved. Now they have to learn how to survive, how to hunt, and how to kill.

A wild ride that will keep you on the edge of your…


Book cover of Rot & Ruin

Chris Philbrook Why did I love this book?

Rot & Ruin picks up late in the apocalypse, so late, in fact, it’s solidly in the post-apocalyptic period of the end of this world. This is the only book amongst these recommendations that are advertised and listed as being for a young adult audience, but as an adult, I enjoyed this book and series thoroughly. Rot & Ruin’s two main protagonists—the Imura brothers—are endearing, and sweet, and tough, and are fun to follow as they try to make a difference that’s been irrevocably destroyed by the undead plague. It’s filled with equal parts dread, and hope, and is a standout in the genre.

By Jonathan Maberry,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Rot & Ruin as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

'This is anything but another zombie novel... exciting, full of action, and curiously thoughtful' Charlaine Harris, author of the True Blood series
'A thought-provoking thriller that still delivers a good dose of action and gore' The Bookseller

The perfect read for fans of The Walking Dead, from an award-winning author.

Nearly fourteen years ago, a freak virus swept across the world - turning those infected into the undead. Benny Imura has grown-up never knowing anything different; his last memory of his parents was of them becoming zombies. Now Benny is fifteen, and joining his brother Tom in the 'family business'…


You might also like...

Medical Hostages

By Shawn Jennings,

Book cover of Medical Hostages

Shawn Jennings Author Of Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

The five recommended nonfiction books on my list profoundly affected my life in my time of need. I struggled when a minor accident led to a brainstem stroke and being locked in at 45. How would I find happiness now? How can I go on? These five books gave me the strength to work hard, accept what couldn’t be improved, and be grateful for each day of good health. I hope the recommended books will help you prepare for the day your life will change...and it will.

Shawn's book list on accepting and moving on from a tragedy

What is my book about?

Duke, the leader of a bike gang, is in custody for murder. He plans an escape by feigning illness and hospitalization. But an unexpected turn of events results in two gang members and Duke holding a medical floor of patients hostage. Patients will die if the police don't meet their demands within hours.
The drama follows Duke and Drs. Mindy Fletch, director of the Intensive Care Unit, and Craig Russell, a family medicine resident, in this tense hostage stand-off.

Will the bikers find freedom? Will hostages die? Can Mindy and Craig survive and prevent deaths? In times of stress, people often discover new directions and strengths.

Medical Hostages

By Shawn Jennings,

What is this book about?

Duke, the leader of a bike gang, is in custody for murder. He plans an escape by feigning illness and hospitalization. But an unexpected turn of events results in two gang members and Duke holding a medical floor of patients hostage.


Patients will die if the police don't meet their demands within hours.


The drama follows Duke and Drs. Mindy Fletch, director of the Intensive Care Unit; and Craig Russell, a family medicine resident; in this tense hostage stand-off.


Will the bikers find freedom? Will hostages die? Can Mindy and Craig survive and prevent deaths?


In times of stress, people…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in zombies, survival, and the apocalypse?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about zombies, survival, and the apocalypse.

Zombies Explore 131 books about zombies
Survival Explore 191 books about survival
The Apocalypse Explore 74 books about the apocalypse