The Wave

The Wave - a 1981 young adult novel by Todd Strasser under the pen name Morton Rhue. A must read if you want to understand why the Nazi movement ever gained momentum. Not exceptionally well-written (too much tell and not enough show), but still enjoyable and the actual message is super-important.

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry - an amazing book, very Orson Scott Card in style. There's a current movie of it, too, which I haven't seen yet. 

 

The book's dystopian setting is very orderly and very restrained. Nobody gets angry, families talk about their feelings at dinnertime and receive acknowledgement, praise or comfort, as needed. I know it's supposed to be inhuman, but do you know what? I found it soothing. Imagine a family that doesn't yell, children that don't squabble, a spouse who actually listens as you tell them about your day. Dystopia or utopia? A fine line there.