Interactive Novels Should Be Interactive

Another thing that bothers me in VN: reading page after page of dialogue with no choices to make.
Even if it isn't actually going to affect the underlying variables, how about giving me a choice of how to respond?  Or let me direct the conversation a little bit, even if there is important plot info that needs to be conveyed.

Example Time:

NPC: I have terrible news, sire!  Your trusted vizier was a traitor!
{PC: I had no idea!
NPC: He's kidnapped the princess!
{PC: Oh no!
NPC: What should we do now sire?
{PC: We must create a search party!

VS:

NPC: I have terrible news, sire!  Your trusted vizier was a traitor!
{PC: I had no idea!/ I knew it!

NPC: He's kidnapped the princess!
{PC: Oh no! (goto NPC1) / Eh, she'll be fine. . . (goto NPC2)

NPC1: What should we do now sire?

{PC: We must create a search party!

NPC2: Your Highness, we really should create a search party.
PC: Oh, fine.

I mean, terrible plot aside, I'd rather read the second one.