Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.

a. like nonfiction books

b. as nonfiction books

c. as its interest in nonfiction books

d. like their interest in nonfiction books

e. like its interest in nonfiction books

I am confused between A and E. I thought A was concise (appetite~interest) and the comparison is:
the public's appetite for documentary films seems to be on the rise.
in a similar way
the public's appetite for nonfiction books seems to be on the rise.

However, the OA says otherwise.

I think Like is to compare 2 nouns. But from this example it appears Like cannot be used for a Noun within a prepositional phrase (for + documentary films). i.e. Like can be used for only Subject Noun (Appetite) or Object Noun


Can any expert guide me on the subject matter?
Usually I have issues with Comparisons. I don't understand how to find Comparing elements. I choose mostly grammatically comparable elements.