Zombies—fictional undead creatures often depicted as reanimated corpses craving human flesh—have become iconic figures in horror literature and popular culture. Originating from Haitian folklore and evolving through countless novels, films, and video games, zombies represent themes of apocalypse, survival, and societal collapse.
Best Zombie Books
For readers fascinated by post-apocalyptic fiction, horror thrillers, or dystopian narratives, zombie novels offer intense, immersive experiences filled with suspense, moral dilemmas, and gripping action.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best zombie books—including classic horror titles, modern survival epics, and innovative takes on the zombie apocalypse—that every fan of the undead should read.
Station Eleven: A Novel (National Book Award Finalist)
- Mandel, Emily St. John (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 06/02/2015 (Publication Date) - Vintage (Publisher)
Last Man Standing: The Complete Trilogy: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller
- Taylor, Keith (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 702 Pages - 01/09/2019 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
- Brooks, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 342 Pages - 10/16/2007 (Publication Date) - Three Rivers Press (Publisher)
Beyond These Walls - Books 1 - 6 Boxset: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (Beyond These Walls Boxset)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Robertson, Michael (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1497 Pages - 02/09/2020 (Publication Date)
Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?
- Brallier, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 400 Pages - 02/08/2011 (Publication Date) - Gallery Books (Publisher)
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish Boxed Set: (My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish; The Seaquel; Fins of Fury)
- O'Hara, Mo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 10/10/2017 (Publication Date) - Square Fish (Publisher)
The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever
- Strand, Jeff (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages - 03/01/2016 (Publication Date) - Sourcebooks Fire (Publisher)
Surviving the Fall: Book 1 of The Fall Series - A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Cross, Stephen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 496 Pages - 08/12/2016 (Publication Date) - Stephen Cross (Publisher)
Rust-Colored Rain: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller (Wrack and Ruin Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Schafer, Otto (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 238 Pages - 10/25/2023 (Publication Date) - Sound Eye Press (Publisher)
Z-Altitude: Book One: Outbreak Unfolding – A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Thriller (Z-Altitude - Zombie Apocalypse Action Thriller 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Wolfe, D.C. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 453 Pages - 07/22/2025 (Publication Date) - Webb International Limited (Publisher)
Dead Meat: The Complete Zombie Apocalypse Series
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Clausen, Nick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 811 Pages - 01/01/2022 (Publication Date)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
- Jane Austen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 04/04/2009 (Publication Date) - Quirk Books (Publisher)
Zombies Easy Piano Collection - Songbook with Lyrics and Souvenir Photos
- Pages: 72
- Instrumentation: Piano/Keyboard
- Zombies (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 12/01/2022 (Publication Date) - Hal Leonard (Publisher)
Midlife Zombie Hunter (The Forty Proof Series Book 5)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Mayer, Shannon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 330 Pages - 06/12/2021 (Publication Date) - Hijinks Ink Publishing (Publisher)
THEM Invasion: Zombie Apocalypse (THEM Post-Apocalyptic)
- Massey, M.D. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 186 Pages - 03/30/2016 (Publication Date) - Modern Digital Publishing (Publisher)
Diary of a Middle School Zombie: No Zombie Left Behind
- Zombie, Zack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 06/23/2019 (Publication Date) - Pixel Kid Publishing (Publisher)
Zombie: A Novel
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Oates, Joyce Carol (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 196 Pages - 10/14/2009 (Publication Date) - Ecco (Publisher)
Blue Plague: The Fall: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller (Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Watson, Thomas A. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 358 Pages - 08/06/2020 (Publication Date)
The Zombie Apocalypse Guide to 3D printing: Designing and printing practical objects
- Smyth, Clifford T (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 188 Pages - 03/13/2016 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Not Another Zombie Book
- Randelia, D.B. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 289 Pages - 03/21/2025 (Publication Date) - D.B. Randelia (Publisher)
Whether you’re drawn to classic zombie apocalypse stories like World War Z by Max Brooks, gritty survival novels, or fresh reinterpretations blending science fiction and horror, the best zombie books offer more than just scares.
They delve into human resilience, ethics, and the breakdown of civilization under extreme pressure. These books not only entertain but also provoke thought about humanity’s response to crises.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in tales of infection, survival strategies, and undead hordes, these top zombie novels will keep you on the edge of your seat—reminding us all why the zombie genre remains a powerful lens for exploring our deepest fears and hopes.
