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On a recent Reddit thread, readers commented on this very phenomenon.
Asked about the most mind-blowing books they'd ever read, users brought up dystopian novels like "1984" and "The Handmaid's Tale." But books that engender hope for the human spirit like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Kite Runner" also made the list.
Here are 25 of the most gripping books based on Reddit responses.