Doomsday Reading Materials

August 9th is Book Lovers Day. It’s the unofficial holiday for bibliophiles (someone who loves books) to celebrate the joys of reading and fine literature. We encourage people on this day to put away their electrical devices to pick up a book or two. Currently, there are over 7,000 survival books and manuals on the market, with more being published every day. Some are all-purpose general survival guides, and some are specialized for a specific disaster or cause. These are just a few of my favorite picks I feel your home library should include.

Just In Case: How To Be Self-Sufficient When The Unexpected Happens

By-Kathy Harrison

This is one of my favorite books on disaster preparedness because of how well-organized and written it is. It is a general survival guide that covers before, during, and after various disasters. This is the perfect book for beginners, as it has a basic approach to getting doomsday ready. It helps lay the foundation that most people need to get started. They broke the book down into four parts; setting up a system, basic skills, common disasters to watch out for, and how to become self-sufficient in the aftermath. There are checklists scattered throughout the book to help get you started on your stockpile, and yummy recipes at the end of the book to make tasty dishes out of basic ingredients.

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Case-Self-Sufficient-Unexpected-Happens/dp/1603420355/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3F550T0VAQYCW&keywords=just+in+case+survival+book&qid=1660002855&s=books&sprefix=just+in+case+survival+book%2Cstripbooks%2C81&sr=1-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From The Living Dead

By-Max Brooks

I am a huge zombie fan! Out of all the zombie survival manuals on the market, this is my favorite. It is a true classic in the category of undead literature. Max Brooks wrote the book based on a what-if scenario about what would happen, and how a zombie apocalypse occurs. The reason this book is helpful for even the non-zombie fans is that it includes multiple sections that are non-zombie related, like weapon ideas and terrain survival. There is a section at the end of the book that explains how to rebuild society after an apocalyptic event, like zombies. This book presents survival information in a very fun and unique way.

https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Survival-Guide-Complete-Protection/dp/1400049628/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LRUD6KQ01YGG&keywords=Zombie+Survival+guide&qid=1660002735&s=books&sprefix=zombie+survival+guide%2Cstripbooks%2C70&sr=1-1

Worst-Case Scenario Series

By-Various

The Worst-Case Scenario books are very interesting. The first book came out in 1999 and was tremendously successful. It offers a unique look at tons of different situations, from common to “That could happen?”. The books are small, making them the perfect pocket guides. Since the first one was a hit, the publishing company has brunch off to make 27 other editions with a more specialized approach. Get kids excited about prepping through Surviv-O-Pedia. Grab the Outdoors edition for your Bug-Out Bag. Looking for a unique Christmas gift, grab the Christmas edition. They even have one for surviving in New York City and the Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0871Y8FPG?searchxofy=true&binding=kindle_edition&qid=1660002667&sr=1-2

Outdoor Cooking

By-Unknown

Any cookbook designed for camping or grilling (if you own a grill) is good to keep on hand. The reason you need to have this is that in the aftermath, cooking will look a lot different from what we do today. We do not design most pots and pans for campfire use, so you’ll be facing a learning curve when the power goes out and the gas lines empty. Cooking over an open fire is not the same as a stove or oven. Getting an outdoor-themed cookbook is a great way to familiarize yourself with the subject of open-fire cooking. My copy is from an Amish store, but any outdoor-themed cookbook will do. If unsure which one to get ask a camping supply store employee, or an outdoorsy friend for their suggestions on what their favorite book is.

Pocket Disaster Survival Guide: What To Do When The Lights Go Out

By- Harris J. Andrews and J. Alexander Bowers

This is another handy little book you should keep in your Bug-Out Bag. It provides you with an assortment of general disaster information and survival skills. Because of its small size, it keeps the information short, sweet, and to the point. The book also provides helpful checklists like Just In Case did in their book. Along with a section on charities and resources that are set up to help those in the aftermath with the clean-up effort. This book does have a part two titled, The Pocket First-Aid Field Guide: Treatment And Prevention Of Outdoor Emergencies by George E. Dvorchak, Jr. MD. This edition has a more medical approach, making it great for the first-aid kit.

https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Disaster-Survival-Guide-Lights/dp/1602399921/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z2HG03TKKASM&keywords=Pocket+Disaster+Survival+Guide%3A+What+To+Do+When+The+Lights+Go+Out&qid=1660002529&sprefix=pocket+disaster+survival+guide+what+to+do+when+the+lights+go+out%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1

Apocalypse Cakes: Recipes For The End

By-Shannon O’Malley

This book honestly has nothing to do with survival, but it is a hilarious read. The book is a cookbook with fun stories in between each recipe. The recipes in the book are cakes that symbolize a particular doomsday or disaster. They are quite funny to read, like President Palin’s Half-Baked Alaska and 2012 Mayan Chocolate cupcakes. Some recipes call for strange ingredients like doll parts, dirt, and a pint of virgin blood. Because of the crazy instructions, I’ve never made any of the cakes listed in the book, so I’m not sure if it’s possible. If you make one, I’d love to see it in the comment section. It is a hilarious book to read through, so I recommend buying a copy just for the humor it provides.

https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Cakes-Recipes-Shannon-OMalley/dp/0762441062/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AOB17Z7USBD3&keywords=Apocalypse+Cakes%3A+Recipes+For+The+End&qid=1660002460&sprefix=apocalypse+cakes+recipes+for+the+end%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-1

Heartsaver: First Aid, CPR, AED Workbook

By-American Heart Association

No survival library is complete without at least one first aid manual. Out of all the first aid books, I feel this is the best one. Top-of-the-line doctors put together the book every year through a federally recognized medical organization. It covers how to put together a first aid kit, how to secure a scene to provide the best medical care and basic skills like treating a wound. It also has advanced first aid skills like treating hypothermia. The second part of the book explains how to administer CPR to adults, children, and babies. The last lesson it covers is how, and when, to use an AED machine to save a life. I got my copy while attending a first aid class put together by the local fire department, but you can buy an older edition online.

https://www.heartsmart.com/aha-2020-heartsaver-first-aid-cpr-aed-student-workbook-20-1126-p?gclid=CjwKCAjw6MKXBhA5EiwANWLODMLkSIPkfn8nM_SGeIqxceryb2Vr8yC4yHd8YScYN5HkowZ0sULGIhoCcaEQAvD_BwE