Many of us were required to read dystopia books about the future during high school. I am extremely thankful to my teachers for assigning some of these books, and glad I chose to read the others on my own. Books about the future remain some of my favorite novels of all time, providing great and haunting stories that can shed light on our current social struggles. Enjoy these prophetic voices.
1. '1984' by George Orwell
Penguin
Although the year 1984 passed more than two decades ago, the novel 1984 remains as powerful as ever. 1984 is one of the scariest books I have ever read (not in a blood and guts horror sort of way; in a more thoughtfully terrifying way). References to "Big Brother" and other elements from 1984 continue to be used in popular cultural, making 1984 not only a good read, but an essential book for understanding public discourse. 
2. 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley
HarperCollins
Where 1984 shows how fear and pain can be used as methods of control, Brave New World shows how pleasure can also be an instrument of domination. In many ways, Brave New World reads as if it was written for 21st century society. This page turner will entertain and make you think.
3. 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury
Random House
Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which books burn, and the novel Fahrenheit 451 is a story about a society that is determined to destroy all books. Although Google's virtual library makes this scenario less likely on a practical level, it is still a timely message for a society where school districts and libraries regularly ban books like Harry Potter.
4. 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy
Knopf
The Road is a more recent vision than the other books on the list, but I would not be surprised if in 10 years it is considered a "modern classic." A father and son are striving to survive a wilderness that used to be a country that used to be the most prosperous nation on earth. All that is left is ash, floating and falling when the wind chooses not to breathe. This is the setting of The Road, a journey of survival only Cormac McCarthy could envision.
5. 'One Second After' by William Forstchen
Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
One Second After is a riveting and chilling tale of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on the United States. It is a thrilling page turner, but is also so much more. The danger it illustrates is so great and so real that leaders in our government are now reading this book.
- Read a complete review One Second After by William Forstchen
- One Second After Book Club Discussion Questions
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