10 Books Like the Show Upload | TheReviewGeek Recommends

In Upload, when programmer Nathan Brown is mortally wounded in a car crash, his mind is uploaded to a virtual world where he must come to terms with the nature of his existence. Upload is a sci-fi drama that explores the relationship between technology and humanity, as well as our notions about what it means to be human. The show also explores questions about free will and personal identity considering recent advances in artificial intelligence, including how we might define consciousness or even life itself. If you are looking for books like Upload, check out these: 


Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One is a thrilling novel by Ernest Cline set in the 2040s where the world is facing an energy crisis and widespread social problems. To escape this decline, people turn to the OASIS, a virtual reality simulator created by James Halliday. When Halliday announces a treasure hunt within the OASIS, teenager Wade Watts, known as Parzival, embarks on a quest to find the hidden Easter egg that will grant him fame and fortune.

The story follows Wade’s adventures as he faces challenges, encounters other players like Art3mis and Aech, and battles against the corrupt multinational corporation IOI. Ready Player One explores themes of virtual reality, pop culture, and the consequences of a dystopian future. Like Upload, it explores virtual worlds and the impact they have on society.


The Circle by Dave Eggers

The Circle by Dave Eggers follows the story of Mae Holland, a young graduate who lands a job at a powerful technology company called The Circle. As Mae climbs the ladder, she becomes enamored by the company’s amenities and the development of advanced technologies, including SeeChange cameras that promote transparency.

Mae’s role in the company expands, and she eventually agrees to wear a SeeChange device, fully embracing The Circle’s ideology of sharing and eroding privacy. However, her ex-boyfriend Mercer rejects The Circle’s intrusion and attempts to escape their influence. Similar to the TV show Upload, the book delves into the consequences of an increasingly surveilled society and the dangers of sacrificing privacy for connectivity.


Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury in 1953. Set in an American society where books are banned and burned, the story revolves around Guy Montag, a fireman tasked with the duty of destroying literature. However, as Montag begins to question his role, he rebels against the oppressive system and strives to protect books and preserve cultural knowledge.

Fahrenheit 451 reflects Bradbury’s concerns about censorship and the impact of mass media on society. Similar to the TV show Upload, the book explores themes of control, surveillance, and the consequences of sacrificing intellectual freedom for technological advancement.


Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut

Player Piano is a dystopian novel by Kurt Vonnegut that takes place in a post-World War III society where machines have replaced the majority of the workforce. The story centres around Dr. Paul Proteus, a manager at Ilium Works, who begins to question the dehumanizing effects of the industrial system in which he plays a prominent role.

Through encounters with rebels and a spiritual leader, Paul’s discontent grows, leading him to make a bold decision to escape the system. This thought-provoking novel explores themes of technology, social inequality, and individuality. Similar to the TV show Upload, Player Piano raises concerns about the impact of automation on society and the devaluation of humanity.


Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick. Set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco after a nuclear war, the story follows bounty hunter Rick Deckard as he hunts down and destroys rogue androids. In this world, owning real animals is a status symbol, while empathy is sought through a technology-based religion called Mercerism.

The novel explores themes of empathy, identity, and the nature of humanity. Like the TV show Upload, it raises questions about the blurred lines between humans and artificial intelligence, as well as the moral and ethical implications of advanced technology.


The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams. Originally a radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it has since been adapted into novels, stage shows, comic books, a TV series, a text adventure game, and a 2005 feature film. The story follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last surviving man after Earth is demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass.

With the help of his alien friend Ford Prefect and other eccentric characters, Arthur embarks on a journey through the galaxy. Like Upload, it combines humour and technology to explore the absurdities and complexities of the universe.


Neuromancer by William Gibson

Neuromancer is a 1984 science fiction novel by William Gibson, considered one of the pioneering works in the cyberpunk genre. Set in a dystopian future, the story revolves around Henry Case, a skilled hacker who, after being damaged, is given a chance to regain his access to cyberspace in exchange for a dangerous job.

Alongside Molly Millions, an augmented mercenary, they embark on a mission involving artificial intelligence and a powerful corporation. The book explores themes of technology, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and virtual worlds. Similar to the TV show Upload, it delves into the implications of advanced technology on human existence and consciousness.


Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World is a dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley, published in 1932. Set in a futuristic World State, the story explores a society where citizens are genetically engineered and conditioned to fit into a social hierarchy. The protagonist, Bernard Marx, challenges the norms of this world, leading to unexpected consequences.

The book delves into themes of identity, conformity, and the dangers of an overreliance on technology. Like Upload, both explore the potential consequences of a technologically advanced society and how it can impact human lives and personal freedom. Both also provoke thought about the fine line between utopia and dystopia in a future world.


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is a young adult dystopian novel series by Suzanne Collins. The story centres around Katniss Everdeen, a teenage protagonist who volunteers for the Hunger Games, a televised battle royale where children from different districts fight to the death. Set in the future nation of Panem, composed of the wealthy Capitol and impoverished districts, the novels explore themes of power, rebellion, and sacrifice.

Similar to the TV show Upload, both delve into societies controlled by powerful entities and examine the consequences of technological advancements on humanity. Both narratives also raise questions about ethics, surveillance, and the value of individual lives.


Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Snow Crash is a science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson published in 1992. The story is set in a future world where corporations and entrepreneurs hold power, and the United States has fragmented into sovereign enclaves. Hiro Protagonist, a hacker and pizza delivery driver, teams up with Y.T., a young skateboard courier, to unravel a dangerous conspiracy involving a mind-altering drug called Snow Crash.

The novel combines elements of history, linguistics, computer science, and philosophy. Similarly to the TV show Upload, both explore the consequences of advanced technology on society and raise questions about control, virtual reality, and the nature of consciousness.


There we have it! If you’re a fan of the TV show Upload and want books with a similar vibe or similar themes, these books will give you what you need. Have your own recommendations for books like Upload to add to the list? Comment below and let us know! And check out our recommendations for TV shows like Upload for more sci-fi adventures.


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