|| Problematic Books: How Do We Even Go About These Things? ||

If the book community was only allowed one favorite word, I feel like it would be "problematic." Maybe "cake," or "free-books," (of course that's one word hUSH) but those definitely don't get tossed around as much as problematic does. And seriously, it's everywhere. If a book exists, there's probably a review calling it out on something, branding it as "problematic," and calling for its immediate acquaintance with a wood chipper. 

(In all honestly though, that Supernatural episode where the guy went through one was scarring.)

The one downfall to the book comm, fabulous as we all are, is that we're angry little buggers who believe strongly in what is and is not okay. And don't get me wrong, that can be great, sometimes! It's certainly helped me cut down marginally on my tbr pile and made it easier for me to know which books contain things that I'm just not really keen to read about. 

But when is it too much? And y'know... just exactly how ugly are we allowed to get?

Personally, I think boycotting a book and educating others about the contents within is a-okay. I find nothing wrong with making personal decisions about what one wants to read, and I think it's definitely a good think to talk about the parts that we find harmful or upsetting in literature. 

But I think there's a very fine line between open discussion/education, and taking things too far. 

And by taking things too far, I mean:

• arguing with someone because you disagree with their opinion
• it really just sounds like this 
• name-calling/use of slurs
• harassment of people who choose to read a book
• personally sending authors your negative reviews 
• attending book events only to be disruptive + crude to to the author 
• seriously though
• people are doing that now

It's amazing how violent I've seen people get over books lately. If there's problematic content anywhere within a book, it almost immediately incites a cross-fire of insults and vicious arguments. On the one hand, I understand that it's upsetting to have books that still have homophobic, racist, and more, content in them. It pisses me off, too. But the sad reality of things is that most books aren't going to be perfect. And spending time getting angry at people merely for choosing to pick up a book has to be exhausting, don't you think? 

I just feel like there's such a better way to go about things than getting so angry at each other. There's a way to educate people on important topics without shouting at them, or being rude. As I saw the lovely Cait put it in her ACOWAR review in reference to another book:

"Most of the bloggers I follow who are strong advocates for diversity gave it five stars for its diversity despite what I found to be hurtful ableism. It never once crossed my mind to disown them as 'wrong,' because I know rating books is complex and reflects our own individual experience with a story." 

And I suppose that's my whole little thing I'm trying to get across here. Reading problematic books, if you acknowledge that they're harmful to others, is okay. Speaking out about things you believe in and disagree with is okay. Educating others about things is okay. But fighting somebody because they have a different opinion from you is not. 

I don't know, folks. Posting things like this always make me nervous. What are your thoughts on problematic books and how to deal with them? Have you ever been called out for reading something? Or, rather, have you called someone out on reading a book?