Holes vs Mystic river: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Fiction

Cover of Holes

Holes Louis Sachar · 1988 ★★★★☆ 4.3 272 pages · ≈ 5 h 02 m · Light Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of Mystic river

Mystic river Dennis Lehane · 2001 ★★★★☆ 4.2 496 pages · ≈ 9 h 11 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.3 vs 4.2 — either is a safe pick by score.
Holes is the quicker read — about 5 hours vs 9 for Mystic river.
Holes is the easier read (Light), Mystic river more demanding (Moderate).

Side by side