Books to Read as the World Crumbles Around Us

Albert Camus, 1991

Let’s start with a classic. This is the first book I read during the pandemic lockdown, when we all needed something tragic to connect to. A deadly disease spreads across the French Algerian city of Oran, and we observe the different reactions within the powerless population as the city shuts down. I’ve long been a fan of Camus and his matter-of-fact representation of life, death, and existence. The Plague isn’t my favorite book of his, but if you’re looking for something relatable when the world ends, this is the place to start.

Stanley Donwood, 2020

Prefer something a bit more visual as the world falls apart? Stanley Donwood creates full-page black and white linocut illustrations, the same medium I use for my illustrations. Without relying on any text, Donwood is able to use classic sequential art techniques to move us through the continual destruction of a wild and devolving island habitat. You may recognize his work from his decades-long collaboration with Radiohead, but his distinct style of storytelling and art stands alone.

Dan Carlin, 2019

Dan Carlin is here to get the facts straight. The wildly intelligent and passionate historian details the collapses and near misses of societies throughout history. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to educate themselves on how civilizations fail. Hint: We keep making the same mistakes again. Read this and break the pattern!