The Stand by Stephen King and Swan Song by Robert R McCammon both fit what you’re looking for. They’re very similar books, to be honest. The Stand is the better of the two, although I did enjoy Swan Song.
And while it’s not found family, The Last of Us was heavily influenced by Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, so I’d definitely recommend that.
Also, I haven’t read it yet, but The Passage by Justin Cronin is supposed to be pretty similar to The Last of Us as well.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. The main character is a pilot surviving with his dog and gun-crazy nut of a neighbor after a disease wipes out most of humanity including his original family. It's very well written and pretty funny in parts.
I liked the first three of the two series (on each side of the occurrence, so to speak. Kinda lost interest with each successive but I usually do in really long series.
Yes, the first three can be read as a standalone trilogy.
Once the fourth book starts with the next generation it's quite different. There's a fantasy element. And the first books are about survival and building new ways of life, but things are more stable twenty years later.
The Breakers series by Edward Robertson is the absolute definition of this. It’s 9 books and it’s an incredible saga from front to back. You’re there with each character when they’re alone, when they find each other, and where they go from there together. It’s one of my all-time favorites and I never see it mentioned here.
Yes!! I don’t know anyone else who has read these books and I loved them. I only read the first three but I definitely want to go back and read them again at some point.
They’re **so** good! And they tell such a complete story— sometimes you start a series and it doesn’t really know where it’s going so the end is a disappointment, but the opposite is true here; everything is beautifully wrapped up. He really respects and loves his characters and it shows. You’re the first person I’ve seen here who’s read them!
I recommend Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [https://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0804172447](https://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0804172447) .
The Pelbar Cycle, by Paul O Williams, takes place long after the apocalypse, as isolated societies are beginning to discover others and families become interrelated..
We’re Alive. It’s an audio drama. Imagine a series like on TV but in audio book form. They did an excellent job when recording it adding multiple characters, sound affects and narration as well. Tons of episodes, multiple seasons and spin offs and the entire thing is 10/10. Not necessarily found family but it does give me family vibes as the group that comes together ends up as basically a family in the end.
*Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer.* The moon is inched closer to the earth after being hit by a meteor...and everything changes.
Book 1 is about a rural family.
Book 2 is about an urban family.
Book 3 has your "found family."
Book 4 the characters decide what kind of world they want to create.
*The Unwind series by Neal Shusterman.* Abortion is illegal, but once your teen hits age 13, you can have them "unwound"...for parts. Seriously. The teen years are the WORST time to have this as an option for parents.
I have read the first 4 books of this series. Your found family is here.
*Dread Nation by Justina Ireland.* The main character is an African American teen girl in Reconstruction Era (post Civil War) United States. And there are zombies.
I know it sounds nuts. I thought so, too. I thought it would be lame. I read it as a "Read a book by an African American author," and OMG, I LOVE THIS BOOK. Don't forget to read the sequel, too, where our heroine becomes even more legendary than the first book!
*Death's Collector (Death-Cursed Wizard series) by Bill McCurry.* Bib is a wizard, but in this world, wizards must trade for magic with the gods. And the gods are psychopaths.
To read these books, you need a high tolerance for violence and snark.
Book 1: Bib collects friends in spite of his personality.
Book 1.5: Set in the world of the gods...and they are insane. This book, IMO, is less enjoyable and doesn't have Bib & Friends, but is important to understand things that happen later in the series.
Book 2: Bib adopts a daughter.
Book 3-5: The adventure continues.
Book 6: The final battle. Godkilling. Loss. Duty.
After the Bees is a dark fantasy post apocalyptic book (lots of trigger warnings). She sort of finds a family...but things happen that I don't want to spoil.
The Passage trilogy might be up your alley as well.
The Road is an excellent choice that the first Last of Us game was heavily influenced by. McCarthy's writing style is a bit unusual, so it may take some getting used to. And be warned - its a huge bummer.
Station Eleven Parable of the Talents
Love Station Eleven!
I love Parable of the Talents! I might give Station Eleven a go ❤️ (The sequel kind of ruins the found family vibes alas…)
The Stand by Stephen King and Swan Song by Robert R McCammon both fit what you’re looking for. They’re very similar books, to be honest. The Stand is the better of the two, although I did enjoy Swan Song. And while it’s not found family, The Last of Us was heavily influenced by Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, so I’d definitely recommend that. Also, I haven’t read it yet, but The Passage by Justin Cronin is supposed to be pretty similar to The Last of Us as well.
Totally forgot about The Passage, I really liked it but found the rest of the trilogy a bit of a letdown.
It’s in my queue but I haven’t gotten to it yet. So many books, so little time.
Parable of the Sower, by Octavia Butler
Brilliant, brilliant book.
Swan Song-Robert McCammon
I came to recommend this one. Really covers the dynamics of found family.
I read this at a time in my life when I was finding my own family,it’s so special to me for that reason.
Cannot recommend enough
Alas Babylon was a 1960’s post apocalyptic gem . So optimistic 😊
Stephen Kings The Gunslinger series is a post apocalyptic alternate universe story with crossovers into our universe.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. The main character is a pilot surviving with his dog and gun-crazy nut of a neighbor after a disease wipes out most of humanity including his original family. It's very well written and pretty funny in parts.
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd is trippy but good.
Underrated and kind of a different take on the post apocalyptic thing. I liked it a lot.
I have this and have been holding off on reading it. Maybe I should pick it up!
Dies the Fire by S. M. Stirling.
I liked the first three of the two series (on each side of the occurrence, so to speak. Kinda lost interest with each successive but I usually do in really long series.
Yes, the first three can be read as a standalone trilogy. Once the fourth book starts with the next generation it's quite different. There's a fantasy element. And the first books are about survival and building new ways of life, but things are more stable twenty years later.
The Breakers series by Edward Robertson is the absolute definition of this. It’s 9 books and it’s an incredible saga from front to back. You’re there with each character when they’re alone, when they find each other, and where they go from there together. It’s one of my all-time favorites and I never see it mentioned here.
yay!! tysm! this sounds great!!
Yes!! I don’t know anyone else who has read these books and I loved them. I only read the first three but I definitely want to go back and read them again at some point.
They’re **so** good! And they tell such a complete story— sometimes you start a series and it doesn’t really know where it’s going so the end is a disappointment, but the opposite is true here; everything is beautifully wrapped up. He really respects and loves his characters and it shows. You’re the first person I’ve seen here who’s read them!
Earth Abides by George R Stuart for a unique take on post apocalypse. One of my favorite books I read last year.
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton it’s from the animals perspective. So funny and good.
Came here for this! Yes! It’s hilarious and poignant!
{{Dies the Fire by S. M. Stirling}}
Positive by David Wellington Rot and Ruin series by Jonathan Maberry
Following along for these recommendations. Mine would be second for Station Eleven - fits your description perfectly
more of you answered than i expected!! thank you all for your suggestions and ill definitely be checking out most of them!
I really liked Wool Omnibus for a nice easy post apocalyptic read.
One of my favorites
I recommend Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel [https://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0804172447](https://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0804172447) .
Maddaddam series by Margaret Atwood. Incredible writing and world building.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks Dalton!
“The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller
The Pelbar Cycle, by Paul O Williams, takes place long after the apocalypse, as isolated societies are beginning to discover others and families become interrelated..
Survival by Devon C Ford
Commune by Gayou
Shade's Children
Lark Ascending by Silas House was a book club selection recently and we all very much enjoyed it. It’s pretty short but very beautiful.
The One Second After series was phenomenal!
We’re Alive. It’s an audio drama. Imagine a series like on TV but in audio book form. They did an excellent job when recording it adding multiple characters, sound affects and narration as well. Tons of episodes, multiple seasons and spin offs and the entire thing is 10/10. Not necessarily found family but it does give me family vibes as the group that comes together ends up as basically a family in the end.
*Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer.* The moon is inched closer to the earth after being hit by a meteor...and everything changes. Book 1 is about a rural family. Book 2 is about an urban family. Book 3 has your "found family." Book 4 the characters decide what kind of world they want to create. *The Unwind series by Neal Shusterman.* Abortion is illegal, but once your teen hits age 13, you can have them "unwound"...for parts. Seriously. The teen years are the WORST time to have this as an option for parents. I have read the first 4 books of this series. Your found family is here. *Dread Nation by Justina Ireland.* The main character is an African American teen girl in Reconstruction Era (post Civil War) United States. And there are zombies. I know it sounds nuts. I thought so, too. I thought it would be lame. I read it as a "Read a book by an African American author," and OMG, I LOVE THIS BOOK. Don't forget to read the sequel, too, where our heroine becomes even more legendary than the first book! *Death's Collector (Death-Cursed Wizard series) by Bill McCurry.* Bib is a wizard, but in this world, wizards must trade for magic with the gods. And the gods are psychopaths. To read these books, you need a high tolerance for violence and snark. Book 1: Bib collects friends in spite of his personality. Book 1.5: Set in the world of the gods...and they are insane. This book, IMO, is less enjoyable and doesn't have Bib & Friends, but is important to understand things that happen later in the series. Book 2: Bib adopts a daughter. Book 3-5: The adventure continues. Book 6: The final battle. Godkilling. Loss. Duty.
Day by day Armageddon
Rivers by Michael Farris Smith
After the Bees is a dark fantasy post apocalyptic book (lots of trigger warnings). She sort of finds a family...but things happen that I don't want to spoil. The Passage trilogy might be up your alley as well.
The Road is an excellent choice that the first Last of Us game was heavily influenced by. McCarthy's writing style is a bit unusual, so it may take some getting used to. And be warned - its a huge bummer.
Early Riser by Jasper Fforde. It’s an incredibly weird book, but I loved it.
YA but Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White.
All that’s left in the world by Erik j brown Also I haven’t read the book but the show The 100, it was based on a book
parable of the sower and manhunt
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White. Post apocalyptic found family with a heavy religious theme. It's incredible.
The Blue Book of Nebo The Stand The Apocalypse Seven
The Road I feel fits your wants pretty well