The best dystopian books every twenty-something should read

The world of The Hunger Games is eerily similar to our own, making readers think about “just war” and the spectacle of violence through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl. While Katniss Everdeen is a teenager, I still pick up this book (more than) annually, and each time I revisit it, I come away with new insight into the real world.

Katniss is strong, caring, and resilient in the face of all the challenges of her environment. As an adult, I can learn from her strengths and even from her flaws. She inspires me to watch the world around me with a careful eye, to understand how the powers that be shape my experiences, and ultimately, to always watch out for my fellow human beings.

Reading this book in college was a powerful experience for me, as it highlights how easy it is for fascism to take over with a very personal narrative style that emphasizes the humanity of the main character.

I love that this book is written in first-person point of view from a “handmaid’s” perspective, as it makes the story especially engaging and puts the reader in Offred’s shoes. While the subject matter can be difficult to read at times, I believe that this book is important for every new adult seeking to understand how they can play a role in protecting the rights and dignity of those around them.

The blood-based hierarchy, royal power plays, and love triangle make this book one of my favorites, both earlier in my teen years and now in my twenties. I love to revisit this book because of the way it balances exciting action, enticing romance, and societal commentary. It’s a fun read that hits me hard every time!

I love anything with zombies in it, but what really draws me to this book in particular is how personal of a story it is.

The protagonist, Candace Chen, is both nostalgic for a New York City that never really existed and conscious of how overconsumption blinds her to the dystopia of her own office. I admire how the book draws parallels between work culture and a “zombie” pandemic that forces people to repeat their old routines. This is a must-read that I recommend to anyone entering or navigating the workforce.

I read this novella in one sitting, and I firmly believe it is the most efficient introduction to the dystopian genre. The theme of individuality, emphasized by the lack of the word “I” throughout most of the book, underscores many other pieces of dystopian literature.

As the protagonist learns how to express himself as an individual rather than part of a collective, readers are exposed to the importance of discovering their own identities–something that I take to heart as I navigate my twenties!