riveting

(verb) direct one's attention on something. Synonyms: concentrate, focus, center, centre, pore, rivet. Example: "Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies."

(verb) fasten with a rivet or rivets. Synonyms: rivet.

(verb) hold (someone's attention). Synonyms: rivet. Example: "The discovery of the skull riveted the paleontologists."

(adj) capable of arousing and holding the attention. Synonyms: absorbing, engrossing, fascinating, gripping. Example: "A fascinating story."