So in April I stated that I was going to start reading through Stephen King again. I’d even made a list of books that I wanted to read and where I was going to start. Mind you I have gone through some of them and I have read them. And really I think only two on that list were books that I had not read previously. But moving into the end of May beginning of June, I’ve decided that I want to change my reading for the summer. So for the summer of 2026 we are going to be reading books that have a dystopian feel.
I have been talking with my other half, and I think we’re going to start with The Hunger Games series and then move into the Divergent series. After that I would like to also read the Red Rising series because those books are amazing and a new one is coming out this year. If you haven’t read these books I highly suggest that you do. I’ve read them before but it’s been a hot minute and I’m going to tell you now a lot of it I don’t remember. I’ve seen the movies for The Hunger Games and I’ve seen the movies for the Divergent books but of course when it comes to movies that are made from books things always get left out.
Summer is usually the time for breezy beach reads and light contemporary romances. But if you are anything like me, sometimes the blazing heat makes you want to watch a fictional empire burn to the ground instead.
If you are looking to trade predictable plots for high-stakes rebellion, adrenaline-fueled arena battles, and space-opera uprisings, I have put together the perfect TBR (To Be Read) list for your summer. We are going full dystopian.
Here are three incredible series—ranging from classic YA dystopia to sprawling, brutal sci-fi—that will keep you turning pages well into the warm summer nights.
1. The Blueprint: The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Vibe: Gladiatorial survival, media manipulation, and the iconic mockingjay whistle.
Let’s start with the series that defined a generation. If you’ve only ever watched the movies, you are doing yourself a massive disservice. Reading Katniss Everdeen’s internal monologue gives the entire rebellion a completely different, much darker layer.
- The Hunger Games: The perfect introduction to Panem, where the stakes are pure survival.
- Catching Fire: Widely considered one of the best sequels ever written. The psychological dread of the Quarter Quell is unmatched.
- Mockingjay: A gritty, unglamorous look at wartime propaganda and the heavy cost of revolution.
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Don’t forget the prequel! Dive into the villain origin story of young President Snow.
Why it’s a great summer read: It is incredibly fast-paced. Collins knows how to end a chapter on a cliffhanger, making it the ultimate “just one more page before bed” book.
2. The Identity Crisis: The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
The Vibe: Post-apocalyptic Chicago, choosing your own family, and facing your absolute worst fears.
Next up is a trip to a walled-in Chicago where society is divided into five distinct factions based on personality traits: Abnegation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (honest), Dauntless (brave), and Erudite (intelligent).
Follow Beatrice “Tris” Prior as she flips her world upside down by choosing Dauntless, leaping off moving trains, jumping into fear landscapes, and uncovering a massive conspiracy to eliminate anyone who doesn’t fit neatly into a single box—the Divergent.
- Divergent: The ultimate faction orientation. Watching Tris train and find her footing in Dauntless is pure escapist fun.
- Insurgent: The status quo shatters, turning the city into an active war zone.
- Allegiant: The controversial conclusion that takes us outside the wall to discover the truth of their world.
Why it’s a great summer read: The Dauntless initiation chapters are packed with action and high-altitude thrills that capture that reckless, adventurous summer energy perfectly.
3. The Grand Finale: The Complete Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown
The Vibe: The Hunger Games meets Gladiator in space. Absolute cinematic brutality, Roman mythology, and interstellar war.
If you loved the first two recommendations but want something more mature, complex, and utterly devastating, welcome to the solar system of Red Rising. This isn’t just a trilogy anymore; it is a massive, multi-book space opera epic that will completely consume your summer.
The story follows Darrow, a low-born “Red” mining the depths of Mars to make the surface habitable for future generations. When he discovers the ruling class—the elite, genetically enhanced “Golds”—have been living in luxury on the surface for centuries while his people slave away, he undergoes a dangerous transformation to infiltrate their ranks and tear down the society from the inside.
The Reading Order:
| Trilogy 1: The Rise of the Reaper | Tetralogy 2: The Interstellar War |
| 1. Red Rising | 4. Iron Gold |
| 2. Golden Son | 5. Dark Age |
| 3. Morning Star | 6. Light Bringer 7. Red God (The epic conclusion!) |
A Fair Warning: Pierce Brown does not protect his characters. You will fall in love, and you will get your heart broken. Keep some tissues nearby.
Why it’s a great summer read: Because there are seven books in this universe, it provides a massive, immersive world you can live in all summer long. It transitions seamlessly from a localized survival game in book one to an all-out space war in the later entries.
Which will you pick up first?
Whether you’re visiting Panem for the first time, choosing Dauntless, or raising a house sigil in the outer rims of space, these books are guaranteed to keep you hooked. Grab an iced coffee, find a shady spot, and happy reading!
Are you team Katniss, Tris, or Darrow? Let me know in the comments below!
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