Let’s see. Where to begin. Oh, at the beginning of course.

Isaac Asimov, scientist and science fiction writer said, “The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.” This never hit harder than having just finished the Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff this week (if you haven’t read them, please, please, please do that right away. Even if you aren’t a dystopian or SciFi fan, if you love stories, the human condition, and people pushing up against great odds for ideas rooted in justice—read it!) and Asimov’s sentiments speak so loudly to the love of reading. We turn the page because we are discovering, experiencing the story unfold. It is a beautiful paradigm.

I did think, however, when I sat down to lead the blog in a This-Then-That (see the premise in last week’s post) bookish delight using dystopian and SciFi as a theme, I would get stuck. I haven’t read many. So as I engaged in a bit of research, checked into my Goodreads list, my mouth dropped open. I’ve read a ton of dystopian. Granted, it was many years ago until the market grew saturated with the same story in different dressings, but it is safe to say that I love dystopian stories nearly as much as I love contemporary. And simultaneously, I rediscovered my adoration for Science Fiction.

Fun Story (maybe I’ve repeated it elsewhere, but forgive me, I’m climbing toward old age). When I was eight, my elementary school librarian suggested a book called We Are Not of Earth by Jean Karl. It tore open my whole universe and contributed to my current love of reading. These last two months as I’ve read several science fiction novels, my love for the genre reignited! What a joy to return to a place and rediscover the magic that opened that door initially.

So with that said, here’s the Dystopian/SciFi This-Then-That. (Thank you to my IG friends who help fill in some gaps).

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The Giver by Lois Lowry

This book is a classic in the dystopian genre. I’ve read it with students as young as sixth grade, but when you read it again as an adult - wow.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I read this book long before there was a movie. I loved it (though I do think there is much to be desired in the conclusion of the series). Regardless, this book is necessary to mention when talking dystopia and sci fi.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishigura

This book isn’t strictly YA, but it fits in the category due to the age of the protagonist most of the way through and is one we teach in upper high school. This book is a slow burn, but when you get to that end - OMG.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

I just read this book recently and was blown away by it. The giant questions posed in the story from what does it mean to be human to what do I believe about life . . . so good.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

If you’re only basing your assessment of this story on the movies, please don’t. This was an enjoyable trilogy (though it has been many years since I’ve read it - I remember a satisfying conclusion). I loved how Dashner just pushed the story…

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Some might call Bradbury a prophet . . .so creepy how spot on he was about some things. I’ve read this book multiple times and it gets better with every reading.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I debated whether to include this title (full disclosure, I’m not a huge fan of the final book in this series so I often will avoid recommending titles I didn’t love) but Divergent is important in the YA Dystopian/SciFi category just like The Hunger Games.

Matched by Allie Condie

As the YA dystopian phenomena raged, Matched jumped into the pack adding the element of romance to the mix.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

How can we skip this book? I couldn’t, which is why it is included (even if it’s old and classic). Stranded adolescent boys trying to create a society asking the audience to consider what it means to be civilized. Chaos ensues…

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

I enjoyed this duology by Roth. Planets, political intrigue, battles to the death (for life), super powers, different humanoids and space ships with a dash of romance. I’m in.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

I vacillated on which title to pair this with, but in the end chose The Giver because I think in terms of literary acumen, Liggett wins. Her story looks at not only freedom like The Giver, but also female empowerment.

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I just finished this entire series (there are three titles and Illuminae is the first), and truthfully as a series, this one kicks most series’s butts as an incredibly constructed story (including The Hunger Games). But in terms of power hungry manipulation, excitement, adventure and action, this is a strong pairing.

Replica by Lauren Oliver

This is an interesting book in that it is two stories in one. One side is Gemma’s story, but it is the other side— Lyra’s story— that reminded me of Never Let Me Go. I could have read Lyra’s story for days . . .

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Kaufman and Kristoff make the list a second time because this debut book of the Aurora Cycle is magical! The writing is fabulous and the adventure reminded me of Defy the Stars (and the other way around). So good!

The Echo Room by Parker Peevyhouse

This book is fascinating and captures the magic of that first book in the Dashner trilogy, The Maze Runner. The premise is you wake up in a room and have to figure out how to get out until you die trying. Then you wake up and have to try all over again.

More Than This by Patrick Ness

Seth wakes up in his old neighborhood that’s abandoned and overgrown as if the world has ended. Then he begins to get memories that tell him not everything is as it seems. (For fans of The Ugly Truth, Cantos Book 2 — don’t worry, it’s different :)

The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott

Indie Author alert! In this story Earth has nearly destroyed itself and a benevolent alien race has stepped in to intercede. In doing so, the human race is reorganized, but things don’t seem as “utopian” as the aliens would have you believe.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Full disclosure, I haven’t read this book (I tried and couldn’t get past the first 25 pages). My IG users suggested it to go with Matched. I couldn’t think of anything else similar to Matched, so here you go. Comments appreciated.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Want a modern day satire that mimics The Lord of the Flies from a female perspective? This book is for you. I love Libba Bray. She’s great.

Coriander's Light by MJ Vaughn

Indie Author Alert! Coriander is in search of her mother. The only thing she has is a necklace left behind. When she gets an email from a stranger asking about the stone, it takes her on a whirlwind journey (into outer space).

These recommendations popped up on my IG story. I’ve added them to my TBR and I thought perhaps you might be interested in hearing about them as well. For your consideration: