Best Post-Apocalyptic 
Audiobooks

This is the all-singing, all-dancing zombie saga. You might call it a zaga... (I’ll see myself out). It's no wonder this remains one of the top post apocalypse books on Audible, Amazon and pretty much everywhere else. The whole thing is written in the style of an account of the war against the undead, as told by its survivors. And it is main character Max Brooks (yes, as in the author) who travels the US to record their accounts. With seven stellar narrators, the audiobook version is just as slick and beautifully produced as the Brad Pitt blockbuster it went on to become.

I rarely agree with award verdicts, but this thoroughly deserves its Pulitzer Prize for fiction. It is a novel that strips bare both the Earth and literary conventions. The characters don't even have names. What is left is a tough, but moving look at the father-son relationship wrapped up to become a giant among the best post apocalyptic survival audio books. And this isn't a high literature thing. It's just good.

Close your eyes. Keep them closed. One look and you’re gone. You’re not you anymore. Oh. My. Days.. Utterly terrifying and more gripping than a sheep in a Velcro factory, this is another consistent showing on the list of top post apocalypse books on Audible. And yes, I know I should like uplifting books about the wonders of humankind, but I like this.

Next up on this highly unofficial list of survival fiction audiobooks, this dark, intricate web of a thriller tells the story of Melanie, a student in a prison/school run by the military. The vibe throughout is creepy and mysterious, twisting and turning to a shocking reveal. And even then, it keeps on truckin’. Finty Williams manages to strike a silky balance between earnestness and detached story-telling, allowing the listener enough leeway to form their own view of the characters. I love the scientific basis of the story and the fact that it poses questions about the nature of danger and the sacrifices worth making to save humankind.

It’s Stephen King. It’s Stephen King plus apocalypse. Read it. Done that? Rinse and repeat.

I will read anything by SLF and this was my gateway book. This is classic zombie adventure perfection narrated by she-who-can-narrate-no-wrong, Julia Whelan. Main character Cassie Forrest’s dry wit, pessimism and obsession with food sing to my soul. There’s zombie fighting, society building, friendships and conflict. Everything you need from an end of the world audiobook. Even the love stories strike that perfect balance of being authentic, but not sugary sweet. The best part? This is the first of a four-part series plus another connected series.

1984, meet the end of the world. You two will get on famously in this dark imagining of an unforgiving future Earth. Howey's tale sees humanity driven underground, into silos. Life is grim and restrictive, not just because of the setting, but also the sinister control exerted by the powers that be.

At the unlikely junction of pandemic adventure and literary fiction are the magnificently intertwined stories of Station Eleven. Insightful, ethereal and moving, this is a completely different specie of fiction, very much deserving of its spot on this top ten end of the world audio books.

There are no plagues. There's no great war or zombie invasion. There is only the end. The Apocalypse 7 focuses on a fun, endearing cast of characters, portrayed brilliantly by a cast of narrators, as they come to terms with their predicament. And try to work out what in the world is going on.

Imagine the scariest, most gruesome, darkest end to the world possible. Then add a child with visions. Oh, and monsters, both super and natural. Narrated in the deep, velvety voice of Tom Stechschulte, this is definitely on the horror side of the post apocalypse audio books scale. Terrifying and gripping and just plain good.