The Art of the Open Mind: Navigating"Problematic" Books with Honesty and Grace by Ana Vanessa Bettencourt De Almeida

The Art of the Open Mind: Navigating "Problematic" Books with Honesty and Grace by Ana Vanessa Bettencourt De Almeida

I am deeply honored to share my personal approach to the complex world of

"problematic" literature.

My perspective is shaped by a life lived on both sides of the page. Known as Ana in the reviewing community and Vanessa in my creative life, I hold a Master’s in English and Portuguese Literature and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts.

My career has been a journey of storytelling with a lot of setbacks, but also character

growth: I have taught literature and English in high schools, worked as a professional

illustrator for publishers, and personally authored 16 fantasy and non-fiction titles, all of

which I illustrated myself. Because I know the weight of the pen and the brush, I

approach every book not just as a consumer, but as a fellow creator.

Problematic Doesn’t Mean Wrong

In today's discourse, "problematic" is often used as a red flag, but I see it as an

invitation. A problematic subject brings different opinions to the surface. Good

communication between parties with different ideals is essential. This is why these

books make the best book club reads. They help us learn about a theme but also about

ourselves.

I strive to be an eclectic, open-minded reader. I don’t believe in culture canceling or

the banning of books. I created my platform, Therearenobadbooks, because even the

clumsiest project can have a solid story at its core. Sometimes an author is too

impatient to finish the loops of editing, or they hold beliefs radically different from their readers. As long as we are well-informed, we can turn these readings into opportunities for growth. This is why I appreciate the transparency provided by tour managers.

The Reviewer’s Responsibility and the "No DNF" Rule

Whether you receive a free copy, monetary compensation, or another benefit, be

honest. Remember: payment is not for a "bought" opinion. It is to compensate you for

your labor, for the hours spent reading, writing, photographing, and the investment in

props, lighting, and editing.

Because I value this investment, I find it impossible to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book. I

am a compulsive reader, finishing as many books as I can every year (a passion that

keeps me sane). I always think: What if I’m missing the best part at the end? Besides, I

can only form a solid opinion when I experience the whole project. Even if the lesson is

simply learning "not to take that path," it is never a waste of time.

My Method: From Best Case Scenario to Worst

When I grab a book, I give it 5 stars immediately. Then, I take points away as I

encounter elements that don’t resonate. I often skip trigger warnings because I consider

them spoilers, but I deeply respect their necessity for others. When a book makes me

uncomfortable, I report on that feeling without sarcasm.

• The "Beta" Approach: If a book is unpolished, I ignore technical grammar

issues to find the core plot. I provide specific feedback to help the author improve

future scenes. E.g., Some chapters are missed opportunities to describe amazing

action scenes, instead of getting the aftermath from the character in a less

exciting exposition. Show, don't tell.

• The Not Quite What I Expected: If I realize I am not the target audience, I won't

be destructive. I will focus on the positive aspects and perhaps mention that I

skimmed certain parts, or that I took notes of the advice provided by the author,

while still informing my viewers that those elements exist. E.g., even if I’m not a

fan of open-door romance descriptions, I mention where readers can find these

scenes.

• The Shift to Digital: If a book is a struggle, and I signed up to write a review, I

switch to an eBook format to hide the page count (less overwhelming) or pair an

audiobook with the text version to maintain focus.

• The "Waiting Room": Some books stay on my shelf for ten years before the

"right moment" hits. If I truly can't finish after three attempts, I won't review it

harshly. I provide some positive aspects that may interest the right readers and

some reasons that don’t resonate with me. I’ll end up dropping it in a Little Free

Library for someone it might actually speak to. If I decided that I don’t want to

provide any review, then I’ll reach out to the tour manager or author to explain my

reasons and turn the post into a spotlight or book mail video, informing my

viewers of the triggers and what to expect, positive and negative.

Here is an example of a worst-case scenario review (invented for this purpose).

This project has potential. The secondary character is one of my favorites, but

the plotline needs some work after the second part. I hope the author can revisit

it. If you like small town stories, this one has a unique crime mystery that is

solved without many plot twists. The author has some beliefs that don’t align with

my social or political views.

• The Artist’s Boundary: As a professional artist, I appreciate honesty regarding

AI artwork. If an author is transparent about using AI, I will state that my review

reflects the text alone. I usually start the review with this information. While I

personally stay away from AI-generated picture books, where the art is the story,

for a novel, the heart is in the words. If I really love such a book, I’ll remove the AI-generated cover and create one myself to display on my shelf.

Who is Speaking: The Villain or the Author?

The most difficult "problematic" books are those where the author’s voice begins to

coerce the reader. There is a balance between a character doing something inhumane

(which is characterization necessary to the plot) and an author acting as a "dictator" for

how the reader must feel.

Example between a character’s view and the author’s agenda.

• The Character: If a villain kills a puppy, that is the character acting.

• The Author: If the prose assumes the reader agrees with a cruel sentiment or

tries to impose an ideal, that is the author dictating emotion.

If I encounter a book that includes some sensitive and problematic chapters that feel

like a trap for a specific agenda or an attack on a group, I remain professional. I don't

mirror aggression with more of the same. I point out what was well-written, but I will

warn my followers of the triggers so they can make an informed decision. As a creator, I

invite all voices, because I want to have access to as many types of personalities and

points of view to create credible characters in my world, but if you read for pleasure and

you already learn and get enough reference from real life of antagonizing and upsetting

ideals, then focus on the positive aspects that the book may still provide. It’s hard to

remember that the author hasn’t written the book to personally attack us, but sometimes we

belong to a community or a set of beliefs that are being criticized or attacked. It’s still

good to inform others of red flags. They tend to grow in our society if we don’t address

them.

A Note on Triggers in Children’s Literature

This is especially true for children's books. The most "problematic" kids' books are often

the most eye-opening. They provide children with the empathy and tools to recognize a

friend in distress or a secret they might be carrying. I applaud the educators who read

alongside children to navigate these heavy themes together.

Final Thoughts

Words can damage, but they can also activate empathy. I don’t use my reviews to

attack. I use them to inform. Even in a project that feels like a first draft, there is a

human connection to be found.

As a reviewer, set your boundaries. As a reader, stay curious. What is negative to one

person might be the exact reason another person buys the book. By staying polite and

non-destructive, we keep the door open for storytelling to do what it does best: bridge

the gap between different worlds.

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