I like visual novels because of how I can change the story with different choices. This isn't much gameplay but it is still interactive and a lot easier to do with a computer than with manually flipping between pages in a Choose Your Own Adventure book.

Now, kinetic novels, where you do not change anything significant in the story with your choices, those I agree with OP's sentiment. Some people like them and that's totally fine, but I personally don't see the appeal. Maybe it's getting exposure to stories from people who had an idea but not a high enough budget for a movie?