With their beauty, cults captivate and scare us, holding our attention mainly through their ability to capture people and the mystery behind their influence. This fascination is obvious in the wealth of books, TV programs, podcasts dedicated to uncovering the cults, and numerous memoirs of the survivors sharing their experiences.

These literary works span fictional and nonfiction genres and delve into complex notions of resilience and human psychology, creating gripping stories that keep readers on the edge.

Here are some books to delve into the world of cults.  

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

In the book, after the cult leader is murdered, Minnow, a former child of the group of the Kevinians, faces the impact of the event. Meanwhile, Minnow's family and hands are taken by the cult that puts her in prison, where she is forced to face another challenge - the difficulty of leaving behind the brainwashing.

As she navigates juvenile detention, Minnow must confront her beliefs and decide whether to reveal the cult's dark secrets to gain her freedom. The novel, richly written with suspense and occasional humor, explores themes of blind faith and self-discovery.

Don't Call It a Cult by Sarah Berman

In "Don't Call It a Cult," Sarah Bermand discovers the harrowing truth behind NXIVM. Her article showed how the façade of networking and empowerment concealed the sex trafficking, forced labor, and brainwashing done by NXIVM. Also, using first-person narratives, Berman presents the excruciating emotions experienced by women who were deceived into joining the organization, in addition to the magnitude of the terror inflicted by the group.

The book chronicles NXIVM's evasion of justice and the eventual unraveling of its heinous crimes, offering a gripping exploration of deception and resilience.

READ ALSO: March Must-Reads: 10 Books You Shouldn't Miss

Cultish by Amanda Montell

The book sheds light on the perception of cults and the myths surrounding brainwashing. It also showcases that true strength comes from language. Using stories and research, Amanda Montell delves into how cultish language produces a strong ideology and community, whether the infamous Heaven's Gate or recent start-ups and social media.

While "Cultish" applies sharp critique and jabs of humor, it reveals the existence of cultish language in our current times for people to identify with its widespread use.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop and Laura Palmer

In "Escape," Carolyn Jessop recounts her harrowing journey escaping the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) after being coerced into an arranged plural marriage at 18. Enduring psychological abuse and fear, Carolyn eventually fled with her eight children, facing immense challenges but ultimately securing full custody of her kids and aiding in the conviction of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. 

Her story exposes the oppressive environment of the FLDS and serves as a testament to courage and resilience. 

Slonim Woods 9 by Daniel Barban Levin

Daniel Barban Levin recounts his experience at Sarah Lawrence College, where the father of his friend Talia, Larry Ray, manipulated and abused students, leading them into a cult-like situation.

Over the years, Larry exerted control through coercion and ritualized humiliation, resulting in charges of extortion, sex trafficking, and forced labor. Levin's memoir sheds light on the insidious grip of manipulation and the journey from college life to a cult under Larry's influence. 

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Gripping Nonfiction Books About the Greatest Mysteries