Just like I love to read books about baking and super sweet things, I also enjoy reading dystopian/utopian novels. (Hows that for contrasting preferences??) Here are ten books (or series) that fall under the dystopian/utopian novel that I’ve read. Hopefully you’ll see one that intrigues you and you’ll pick it up too!

1. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
   This is one of my favorite dystopian novels. It’s mature, so I don’t recommend it to anyone younger than high school age. In this world, babies are born out of bottles, there is no such thing as morals, and if you’re not happy, just take a Soma. The first time I read this book, I didn’t like it so much. And then I started researching it. And then I read it again… and again. Once you take the time to understand the choices the author made in writing this book, you’ll get the beauty of this novel.
2. Anthem by Ayn Rand
   It’s been over ten years since I’ve read this book, so I don’t remember much about it. It follows Equality 7-2521, who stands out from his society by choosing to be an individual instead of part of the collective we.
3. The Giver by Louis Lowry
   I read this one as a child and enjoyed it, but now that I know of its regard among dystopian/utopian novels, I would love to re-read it as an adult. It follows a boy who lives in a seemingly colorless world.
4. Uglies by Scott Westerfield
   This is a four-book trilogy (that’s not a typo) by Scott Westerfield. Due to mature topics I also wouldn’t recommend this one to anyone younger than high school. In this futuristic world, sixteen-year-olds undergo surgery to become a “pretty”. Every aspect of them is changed so they can fit the “pretty” mold.
5. Penryn and the End of Days by Susan Ee
   I’m sort of cheating with this one, since it’s more apocalyptic than dystopian. But because it does discuss the ramifications of human choice and human nature in a future time, I want to include it. This series follows Penryn as she befriends a fallen angel and navigates both his world and hers in post-apocalyptic times.
6. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
   This series follows Katniss in a futuristic world that is divided into distinct districts. Every year, each district must send two children to fight to the death in the hunger games arena.
7. Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
   This series follows Zoe, who lives underground. Everyone in her society is implanted with a chip that controls their thoughts and actions. But one day, her chip glitches, and she begins to think on her own. She’s terrified of being discovered, but intrigued by the new world that has opened to her.
8. Matched by Allie Condie
   I didn’t like this book very much. The world was fascinating, but the plot, not so much. In this world everyone has pretty much everything dictated to them. They’re fed the exact amount of calories they need, their supersize equipment automatically adjusts to keep them healthy, and their mates are pre-determined by a computer.
9. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
   This futuristic novel follows a firefighter who is part of a book-burning crew. The book, written in 1953, is eerily accurate with some of its predictions, including the use of earbuds. What other things will it get right?
10. Divergent by Veronica Roth
    I haven’t read the third book in this series yet, so no spoilers please! This book follows Tris as she chooses one of five factions to live in. The factions are each characterized by a single trait – courage, honesty, selflessness, peace, or intelligence.

What other books or series could be added to this list? I’d love recommendations for other dystopian/utopian novels I need to read!

❤️ Annette