Entertainment

11 Books More Riveting Than Any Movie

by Lindsay E. Mack

If you think reading is boring, then you’ve been checking out the wrong books all along. Avid readers know that many books are more riveting than any movie. Books can give you an emotional connection to characters that goes deeper than your average movie, and the action is not limited by any budget.

This is not to knock the film industry; movies can be exceptionally exciting experiences. But it’s difficult to compete with the unlimited adventures that books can offer you. Every reader gets to create her own version of events.

But be forewarned: these are not the reads that you should choose if you want a gentle story to keep you company until you drop off to sleep. These are the books that will keep you glued to the page until the wee hours of morning because you just have to know what happens next. You might let chores and errands fall by the wayside until you hit the end of the story.

Overall, these books will get your heart pumping and your imagination racing. Whether you’re into high fantasy or nonfiction, these reads will take you on some truly epic journeys. Just don’t expect to be productive at all until you finish reading.

1

'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik

A fresh take on the retold fairy tale genre, Naomi Novik's Uprooted pairs flesh-and-blood characters with folklore elements. Heroine Agnieszka has to contend with the attention of her town's powerful wizard.

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2

'Squall' by Sean Costello

A fierce storm, an emergency plane landing, and a run-in with criminal elements make Sean Costello's Squall an interesting read — and that's just the opening scenes. Filled with humor, revenge, and plenty of suspense, the book just dares you to put it down.

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3

'Born To Run' by Christopher McDougall

This book will make you want to kick off your shoes and run up a damn mountain. Seriously. Even if you aren't a runner, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall is one of the most gripping pieces of non-fiction you might encounter. McDougall leads you into the remote Copper Canyons of Mexico to study a reclusive tribe of runners and their death-defying races.

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4

'S.' by J.J. Abrams & Doug Dorst

This is the story of readers, a writer, and a final novel that will draw you in immediately. S. is a meta-story by J. J. Abrams (yes, the director) and Doug Dorst.

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5

'The Silent Wife' by A.S.A. Harrison

Drawing loads of comparisons to Gone Girl, A.S.A. Harrison's The Silent Wife is also a gripping thriller about a seemingly perfect couple. When a 20-year relationship goes stale, is murder the solution?

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6

'Don't You Cry' by Mary Kubica

Missing women and the mysteries of the past make up Mary Kubica's Don't You Cry. It's a suspenseful thriller filled with twists and surprises.

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7

'The Ocean At The End Of The Lane' by Neil Gaiman

Otherworldly adventures await the narrator of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, who discovers immortals living in his sleepy hometown in England. This mix of fantasy and fun, as only Gaiman can deliver it, is sure to have you hooked from the first page.

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8

'Almost Somewhere' by Suzanne Roberts

If you're interested in real-life adventure stories, then this read is for you. Suzanne Roberts' Almost Somewhere chronicles the author's monthlong hike with two of her female friends. It just might give you new ideas for your next getaway with your BFFs.

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9

'The Forgetting Time' by Sharon Guskin

This story follows a mother's quest to help her son make sense of what appear to be memories from past lives. In Sharon Guskin's The Forgetting Time, you will be drawn into the psychological story with its mind-blowing implications.

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10

'Your Heart Is A Muscle The Size Of A Fist' by Sunil Yapa

Set in Seattle's WTO protests in 1999, Your Heart Is A Muscle The Size Of A Fist by Sunil Yapa covers these events from every angle. This riveting story follows activists, police, and everyday people who get caught up in the protests.

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11

'Everything Is Teeth' by Evie Wyld & Joe Sumner

Everything Is Teeth by Evie Wyld & Joe Sumner is a heartfelt illustrated memoir that examines the sharks — both real and metaphorical — that stalk the edges of life. Comic, dark, and striking, this book is a coming-of-age story with bite.

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